Former Saskatchewan members of secretive sect speak out on widespread allegations of abuse
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Every Sunday morning and every Wednesday night, members of a religious sect in Saskatchewan meet in private homes to profess their faith in a church with no name.
Those outside the religion refer to them as “Two by Twos.”
It doesn’t have an official headquarters or church, no financial records and any tenets may only be imparted orally by its ministers who travel in pairs.
Now, former followers from Saskatchewan are joining others across the world in exposing sinister secrets within the sect – allegations of rampant sexual abuse among its members.
Insiders claim the group’s leaders have protected abusive ministers by pressuring victims to forgive, transferring the ministers to new locations and ignoring pleas to report the incidents to police.
“It’s been going on for generations, but they were able to keep it on the down low. It’s actually the internet that made it explode, and that’s why they’ve been telling all followers to stay off the internet,” said Trevor Pihrag, who was motivated to speak out after a childhood friend came forward with his story of abuse.
Pihrag was raised in a Two by Twos family in Saskatoon, but now calls Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. home. Many members of his family are still active in the church, but he left it two years ago.
“As far as beliefs, it’s very high control – like raised without a TV, you don’t dance, of course you don’t party, you don’t ever drink,” he said.
Followers believe they are the only true church and trace their origin directly to Jesus.
“They think they’re the only people going to heaven.”
History, however, has shown the group was founded in Ireland in the late 19th century by a Scottish evangelist named Willian Irvine.
The Two by Twos have a global presence with about 100,000 members worldwide. They believe salvation is only attained by accepting the preaching of their workers or “ministers.” These ministers take a vow of celibacy, must travel in same-sex pairs and own no property. Lay members are required to meet the needs of the travelling ministers by allowing them to stay in their homes.
“They are well looked after. There’s incredible wealth amongst them,” said Pihrag. “Some are major businessmen, and donations aren’t a problem. I’ve even heard of ministers accepting estate money.”
There’s no single, official leader of the church. Instead, it’s governed by regional “overseers” who possess absolute authority over local ministers or workers. One of Pihrag’s cousins, whom he grew up with in Saskatoon, is an overseer in France.
Content retrieved from: https://www.ckom.com/2026/04/19/former-saskatchewan-members-of-secretive-sect-speak-out-on-widespread-allegations-of-abuse/.
