Pastor Greg Locke, who is no stranger to vitrolic statements and fueled headlines, has found one demon he can’t exorcise in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee–the joyful noise his church makes unto the Lord. Yes, the praise and worship and travailing prayer coming from under his big top at Global Vision Bible Church (GVBC) has become a nuisance to the community.
The city of Mt. Juliet is less and less tolerant of the many joyful noises coming from GVBC. People from the community have consistently complained about the loud church services and made numerous calls to code enforcement about zoning violations. At one point last year, the deluge of emails and phone calls became so overwhelming to Wilson County officials in Tennessee that the only option was to call state officials.
According to WKRN News 2 in Middle Tennessee in a September 2023 article:
Wilson County commissioners passed a resolution asking the state to get involved after the church held an event over Labor Day which brought out thousands of people. The event created concerns for traffic, health, and safety. According to the resolution, the state knew about the event, and no action was taken.
“I can say it was not a success, and I have a bill right here I’m fixing to send them [Global Vision Bible Church] because it cost $7,500 to pay for that. So, I’m sending them a bill,” said Robert Bryan with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office. The move comes as Locke’s church faces multiple lawsuits, including one from Wilson County alleging that the church has failed to comply with local zoning and stormwater regulations.
For years, it’s been Greg Locke versus his community, instead of working with them. The second book of Corinthians shares who we should walk by faith, but in the Message Bible, the interpretation underscores why we walk that way–it’s strategic.
That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we’ll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8 MSG)
A new story shares Locke’s exchange is a homegoing instead.
Greg Locke and His Big Tent Revival
Typically, communities are supportive of local churches. They foster good relationships with local residents, first responders, and the youth, so why wouldn’t the big tent revival of Greg Locke have the same effect? It seems he hasn’t been supportive of them. After thousands of complaints unanswered and hundreds of requests ignored, the story continues:
However, neighbors continue to tell News 2 that the sound hasn’t gone away. So, in July (2023), Blackett and neighbors raised $10,000 to hire an attorney and potentially file a civil lawsuit.
Currently, there are two lawsuits pending against the church. Neighbors directly across the street are suing for noise and water runoff concerns. The Wilson County director of development services, Tom Brashear, filed one for zoning violations.
“We don’t want to be a part of a lawsuit, we don’t want to have to do that in our community. We just want to see peace restored and for people to do the right thing,” Blackett said.
Fast forward to August 2024, Greg Locke is taking his show on the road.
During a worship service seen on Facebook Live, Locke announced that GVBC has secured a contract for a new location. “We have 30 days to close.” Locke told his congregation during the live streaming service that it was “an extraordinary day of giving both in-house and online.”
“We put ourselves in situations that if God don’t bail us out and come through, then it’s not going to get done…That’s not reckless or foolish. That is what the Bible calls faith,” he said.
The Bible also tells a few other things, Greg:
- Respect the law of the land (Romans 13:1-4)
- Stir up one another in good works (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Act as one body or community while knowing it’s made of many parts (1 Corinthians 12:12-20)
- Evangelize your communities (Matthew 28:16-20)
Regretfully, Greg Locke believes he would be compromising the church’s outreach if he tones down the worship and prayer service. Regardless of what the community says–those people who could become new members or children of God–Locke says, “Move or bust.”
If he’s not careful, both could happen.
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