Greg Locke's church conference draws 7k registrations and complaints from neighbors
Global Vision Bible Church in Wilson County and its controversial, right-wing pastor Greg Locke will hold the National Deliverance Training Conference, an event this week which has raised concerns from neighbors.
A neighborhood group that has been involved in an ongoing clash over noise has raised concerns about the Labor Day weekend event to county and state officials.
The free conference, scheduled for Sept. 2-4, has around 7,000 registrations, although Locke added “it’s hard to know a hard number” who will attend.
The Global Vision Bible Church campus is located in west Wilson County at 2060 Old Lebanon Dirt Road. The congregation holds services in a large tent.
The primary road leading to the church includes the Mt. Juliet city limits.
“The conference runs over three non-work and non-school days,” Locke said. “We’ve done all that we can to accommodate and help smoothly facilitate traffic.
"People are hungry for truth. We can’t regulate a move of God.”
Mike Signorelli of the V1 Church in New York City is among those scheduled to attend and speak.Alexander Pagani, Vlad Savchuk, Isaiah Saldivar and Locke and wife Taisha Locke are among scheduled speakers, according to the church’s social media account.
Coalition explains concerns
A group that identified themselves as the West Wilson Coalition has expressed concerns about code violations and fire hazards. The coalition is asking for an “emergency injunction” to address concerns about public safety.
“This is a public safety issue that directly affects the health and welfare of the community,” the West Wilson Coalition included in its statement.
Wilson County sheriff weighs in
Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan said plans are in place to have a law enforcement presence. Mt. Juliet Police will also monitor Old Lebanon Dirt Road to be sure it “remains clear (and) open and nearby city limit property owners are protected from any illegal parking and trespassing issues,” Capt. Tyler Chandler said.
Wilson County has a pending lawsuit against Global Vision Bible Church for defying multiple stop work orders in violation of county zoning and stormwater ordinances. The lawsuit also regards a lack of permitting for structures and site grading on the property.
“Such work has appeared to have continued through the spring and summer in spite of stop work orders and litigation being filed,” Wilson County Planning Director Tom Brashear said.
A major event earlier this year called the ReAwaken America Tour drew thousands of visitors and created traffic disruptions, according to reports.
“It doesn’t matter how much money we spend and how many hoops we jump through, some people will never be happy,” Locke said. “We’re just going to keep doing what we do, and not worry about it.”
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Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Greg Locke's Global Vision church draws complaints over size, traffic
