Controversial ReAwaken America Tour brings anxiety about politics and traffic
A major right-wing event at a Mt. Juliet church drew thousands of people from out of town, fueling local controversy.
Global Vision Bible Church hosted the ReAwaken America Tour on Friday, a two-day event featuring religious leaders, social media influencers and conspiracy theorists, and prominent conservative figures. Global Vision Pastor Greg Locke is a frequent speaker at ReAwaken America Tour events and was the opening speaker Friday.
More:ReAwaken America Nashville: How locals are reacting to major right-wing event
An enthusiastic fanbase flocked to what’s considered the largest gathering of proponents of Christian nationalism, creating traffic problems for Mt. Juliet residents and pushback from area faith leaders.
“Today we are here to speak our truth that the reawaken America event today at Greg Locke’s church is more about people trying to grow their personal power, platforms and political ideology,” said the Rev. Rick Roberts, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Donelson, in a news conference at his church Friday.
Five other area faith leaders accompanied Roberts to denounce the ReAwaken America Tour and Christian nationalism, an idea rooted in the belief that America was founded as a Christian nation.
“Just like all sinful teachings, it might look interesting under some odd and strange light…But turn the light on of Christ and you’ll see the beast who feeds and devours on those who they deem as weak,” said the Rev. Jason Mikel, pastor of Jenkins Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Nolensville, in the news conference.
The Rev. Robin Lovett-Owen, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Nashville, said “Christian nationalism flies in the face of all of this,” referring to Nashville community members’ values.
Locke dismissed the faith leaders’ criticism in an interview with The Tennessean on Friday.
“They hate us because I’m a supposed insurrectionist," Locke said. "There is no winning with the people that are already against us."
Locke also addressed traffic complaints, a source of previous conflict between Global Vision and some of its neighbors. He acknowledged the church didn't have enough parking but pushed back on broader community uproar.
“There is no winning with the people that are already against us. So, this meeting wouldn’t have any bearing on who loves and who hates us,” Locke said. “We’re the most polarizing church in town.”
On Friday morning, school buses were delayed to picking up students, according to Wilson County Schools.
Some attendants parked on nearby streets once Global Vision’s lot filled up. Mt. Juliet police towed 11 unlawfully parked and abandoned vehicles by Friday afternoon, according to Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick. Police marked 30 more vehicles to tow, but there weren’t enough tow vendors available.
The Mt. Juliet Police Department and the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office assisted with traffic congestion throughout the day, putting up digital message boards and cones. Mt. Juliet police said it plans to do the same on Saturday.
Attracting the larger crowd were headliners like Eric Trump, Michael Flynn, Mike Lindell and Kash Patel.
There were also appearances from Middle Tennessee musicians and activists. Nashville country music artist Alexis Wilkins performed her song “Stand,” and John Rich, another local country star, led the crowd in singing “God Bless America.”
A couple other speakers scheduled for Saturday are from Nashville, Todd Coconato and Jeff Richfield.
Andy Humbles covers Wilson and Sumner counties for The Tennessean. Reach him at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles. Liam Adams covers religion for The Tennessean. Reach him at ladams@tennessean.com or on Twitter @liamsadams.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: ReAwaken America Nashville draws thousands, fueling local controversy
