Background

Understanding who John VanDenBerg was and the religious organization he belonged to provides essential context for the allegations and institutional failures documented on this site.

Who Was John VanDenBerg?

John VanDenBerg was a ministry worker (often simply called a "worker") in the 2x2 church. He was based in California and served in the ministry for decades.

John VanDenBerg was described as "a man held in high esteem" within the fellowship. This status appears to have shielded him from accountability for years, with concerning behavior being dismissed or minimized by those around him.

"He likes kids"... "just a really stupid move on his part." — Responses when a woman confronted the fellowship about a concerning photo of John with a child

Family Connection

John VanDenBerg's cousin, Michael Day, grew up with him in the religious sect. Day was interviewed by ABC7 News and provided perspective on John's experiences within the organization. Day noted that someone who stayed in their home and whom John knew "later came out as a convicted child molester."

What Is the 2x2 Church?

The 2x2 church is a non-denominational Christian sect founded in the late 1800s by Scottish evangelist William Irvine. The group is known by many names:

• 2x2 or Two by Twos (referring to ministers traveling in pairs)
• The Truth (what members call it internally)
• The Way
• The Church With No Name
• Christian Conventions
• The Friends and Workers

The group deliberately avoids adopting a formal name, which members believe reflects authentic spiritual community. John VanDenBerg himself wrote a theological essay defending this practice, arguing that "it takes more than a name to unite people in sweet fellowship. It takes a new nature."

Organizational Structure

Characteristics

The Problem of Institutional Abuse

The 2x2 church's structure creates conditions that can enable abuse:

• Lack of transparency: No formal organization means no formal accountability
• Internal handling: Use of Matthew 18 principles to handle abuse internally rather than reporting to authorities
• Trust in workers: Workers are held in high esteem, making accusations difficult
• Secrecy culture: Problems are kept within the fellowship
• No background checks: Workers have access to children without formal vetting

"For 17 years, multiple workers have known that John Vandenberg committed sex crimes against a child. They did not report it. They did not notify you." — Advocates for The Truth, May 2023

Scale of the Problem

John VanDenBerg is not an isolated case. According to Advocates for The Truth, as of March 2024:

• 900+ alleged perpetrators have been identified within the 2x2 church
• 1,500+ victims have sought assistance
• The FBI has launched a formal investigation

Key People