When Silence Speaks Too Loudly
When a church chooses silence in the face of difficult truths, what message does it send? In this testimony, Justin Peterson reflects on the unanswered questions surrounding Stonebriar Church — and why silence can sometimes speak too loudly.
DALLAS, TX—Sometimes the most dangerous words are not shouted in anger but whispered in dismissal: “There’s nothing to talk about here.”
Silence is not neutral. Silence can protect the wrong people and smother the truth. Silence allows darkness to grow unchecked.
But Scripture tells us something different: “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” (Luke 8:17)
When human voices go silent, God’s voice rises. When institutions dismiss, heaven responds. Angels are sent. Testimonies break through. Prayer fills the void where truth was denied.
This is why prayer matters. It is not just private devotion—prayer is the catalyst for the restoration of a nation’s foundation.
Case in point: Scotland lost its independence when prayer and worship were silenced. Its deliverance will come when prayer and testimony rise again.
Don’t let silence have the last word in your life, in your church, or in your nation. Pray. Testify. Call on heaven. God will answer.
Editorial Note: This article contains references to allegations, witness testimony, and other reported information. Individuals or organizations named or referred to in this article have disputed or denied allegations concerning their alleged involvement, and their reported responses have varied. Where relevant, those responses are described in the body of this article or elsewhere in this series. The inclusion of an individual’s name should not be interpreted as a finding of civil or criminal liability. Readers are encouraged to review the related articles and supporting source material in this series for additional context.
How Readers Can Respond
If this article has impacted you, there are several ways you can help:
- Learn more about the Stonebriar Church investigation.
- Share this reporting with others.
- Pray for survivors, whistleblowers, and investigators.
- Support ongoing recovery and advocacy work.
Explore the Stonebriar Church Investigation
Stonebriar Church in Frisco, TX
Stonebriar Community Church is an Evangelical traditional style church located in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex at 4801 Legendary Dr, Frisco, TX 75034. The pastor of Stonebriar Church at the time of this incident was founding pastor Chuck Swindoll, who retired in October 2024. Chuck Swindoll is an evangelical Christian pastor, author, educator, and radio preacher. He founded Insight for Living, and is chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary. Jonathan Murphy is the current senior pastor of Stonebriar Church. The church website is: https://www.stonebriar.org
