Two married pastors at Greg Locke’s central Tennessee church have resigned, claiming the founding pastor created a spiritually abusive and manipulative culture.
They are Justin and Kasey Greenwell, formerly the online pastors at Locke’s Global Vision Bible Church in Lebanon, due east of Nashville. The pastors are also accusing Locke of engaging in financial mismanagement and a lack of accountability, and have a tell-all book coming out soon.
The Greenwells voiced their claims Tuesday in a resignation letra to Locke and a correo on Facebook. Most of the 87 comments posted on the latter by Thursday afternoon were in favor of the Greenwells’ decision to leave.
Locke has continually made headlines for his controversial actions at his church. He’s conocido por burning books, hunting witches, and creating viral videos about COVID-19 and election conspiracies. His church has also received a deluge of noise complaints.
The Greenwells told El Informe Roys (TRR) that Locke’s church has no functioning board and isolates and manipulates staff.
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“This has become about people as assets, not as children of God,” Kasey said. “The people have become assets to move the machine. And as long as people are in the seats, then they’re happy.”
The Greenwells said they are publicly sharing their story not out of anger, but to help the church find repentance and restoration.
“I don’t want to see this ministry crushed under bad decision-making,” Justin said. “I am not here to try to bury this ministry. I want this ministry to be revived. I want to see unity come to this house, and I want to see restoration come to this house.”
TRR repeatedly reached out to Locke and Global Vision Bible Church for comment but did not hear back prior to publication.
They still believe in Locke
In 2020, the Greenwells started attending Global Vision Bible Church online. They loved Locke’s teaching so much that a year later, they sold their house in Indiana to move to the Tennessee church to sit under Locke’s leadership. They started working as pastors at the church around the same time.
They said they ran into repeated issues with Locke and his wife, especially concerning the church’s financials and the lead pastor’s lack of accountability.
They first confronted Locke about this a year ago, and the lead pastor allegedly promised to address their concerns in the next year.
He has since failed to do so, the couple says, so they decided to resign, even if they must give up their current source of income to do so.
“I do not write this to dishonor you, nor do I write it to betray you. I write it because I genuinely love you,” Justin said in the letter. “I have believed in you, I still believe in you, and I want you to be a great pastor, because you were, and I truly believe you still can be.”
Because Locke has not responded to their confrontations in private, they said they wanted to share their story publicly, following Matthew 18 guidelines.
According to Matthew 18:15-17, if a brother sins against you, you should first confront him privately. If he doesn’t listen, take another person with you. If he still doesn’t listen, tell it to the church.
(Some argue Matthew 18 is a guide for handling personal offenses. For sinning pastors/elders, the applicable passage is 1 Tim. 5:20, which encourages publicly exposing the pastor’s sin.)
The Greenwells say they want to enable congregants to be aware of what’s going on behind the scenes.
“We simply can no longer remain silent about things that have deeply affected people, including us,” Justin wrote. “Those who only see the public moments: stage lights, livestreams, and curated interactions—cannot fully understand the weight of what takes place in staff meetings, in conversations, and in the culture that forms behind closed doors.”
The Lockes made all the decisions
The couple said they’ve witnessed three glaring issues behind closed doors. The first is a lack of accountability for Locke.
Locke claims to have several friends outside the church who serve as his accountability, Justin said, but within the church, there is no functioning board or council of elders.
Instead, the Greenwells allege that Locke and his wife, Taisha “Tai,” carry the full weight of decision-making. No one but the Lockes reportedly has access to the financials, and no one was allowed to question this.
This established an “atmosphere where correction was impossible, disagreement felt dangerous, and accountability simply did not exist,” their letter said. “This lack of covering left staff spiritually exposed, emotionally vulnerable, and without a safe or biblical structure to process concerns or conflicts.”
Questionable finances
Because of the lack of oversight, the Lockes have allegedly made a number of concerning financial decisions. One of the decisions Kasey cites is Locke’s purchase of a $1.6 million house a year ago.
Some have claimed Locke used money from the church’s building fund to buy the home. This allegedly caused a deal for the church to buy a new building to fall through due to a lack of funds.
Speaking to his congregation in November of last year, Locke vehemently denied the allegations and claimed that he bought the house with proceeds from selling his books. At the same time, he also said that “me and five businessmen, under the grace of God, in four days, came up with the money and bought it.”
But according to Wilson County property records, the home is not owned by Lock but by Global Vision Bible Church.
Locke also challenged reports that the house was worth $1.6 million. Locke said the house was worth only $625,000, but he had spent another $1 million to buy 28 acres.
El Informe Roys (TRR) has confirmed the address of Locke’s home, which Zillow describes as a “family compound at it’s (sic) best.” The 4,540-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bath home sits on 28 acres and was acquired Oct. 4, 2024, for $1,625,000.
While the church now meets in a 32,000-square-foot warehouse, Kasey says they rent and don’t own it. She added that the church has poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into this space to make it into a church, with no board overseeing the process.
Kasey also alleged that the church has received loans from individuals, but that Locke handled all the details. When she or other staff asked to look at the books for more transparency, they were told it’s none of their business, she said.
A cutthroat culture
The Greenwells described in their letter that the church was run with a “culture of hierarchy and emotional manipulation” by Locke and his wife, Taisha (Tai) Locke.
Kasey told TRR that the spiritual abuse especially stemmed from Tai, who oversees the church’s staff. Kasey alleged that Tai chooses favorites in the staff and pits individuals against each other, creating a cutthroat environment.
Tai would declare some individuals or ministries within the church her “children” and would personally disciple them and more readily give them funds from the church, Kasey said. But others, she reportedly left alone to navigate ministry by themselves.
Kasey said Tai would invite all women staff out to get their nails done but exclude her. She added that she and another woman were barred from attending a women’s staff retreat led by Tai.
Additionally, Tai would tell staff that she had been to the throne of heaven and seen what everyone was struggling with, Kasey said.
“It caused people to feel very uncomfortable,” the Greenwells wrote in their letter. “Staff were moved, corrected, or overlooked based on her emotional state or personal preferences rather than a unified pastoral strategy. The partiality created by this dynamic was profoundly painful.”
Nonprofit registration questions
The Greenwells also contend that Locke says the church is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. However, searches using the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search tool returned no results using either the church’s name or tax identification number.
Phil Hackney, a religious tax law expert and professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, told TRR that churches have no obligation to apply with the IRS to be a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Hackney added that states generally stay out of church governance and often only require churches to register as a corporation.
Locke’s church is incorporated as a nonprofit, according to the state of Tennessee, but it is not listed as a registered charity
A spokesperson for the Secretary of State said churches are not required to register under the state’s charities filings.
Recording their experiences in a book
The Greenwells admitted in their letter that they should have voiced their concerns sooner, but they never felt safe to speak out.
Last month, Justin said he felt God calling him to record their story in a book: “Pulpit of Leaves.” It is due to release in the coming weeks.
“There was (sic) things that we’ve seen that we kept quiet about,” Justin said. “There’s a lot of repentance in this book … where we allowed the comfort of a paycheck and the comfortability of knowing that we had a job, we allowed it to skew our convictions. We would push back convictions. We were silent all in the name of unity.”
Liz Lykins is a correspondent covering religion news for El Informe Roys, WORLD Magazine, and other publications.
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32 Responses
Is this an ARC church?
No one should be particularly surprised about this. It’s all about sowing and reaping: and by their fruit you will know them. The fruit of the spirit does not consist of news column inches, the next sensational revelation, notoriety or “winning!”
It’s concerning that the pastor who is resigning can say, “I have believed in you, I still believe in you,” as if the behavior they have experienced is simply a small error of judgment that could be remedied, rather than a deep and destructive spirit of pride and control. Shocking.
I am shocked, I tell you, shocked to read this!
Oh please.
So let me see if I understand this latest iteration of “Gee I’m in shock that my pastor is abusive and manupulative.” This is Greg Locke. Greg Locke. The pastor who called Joe Biden a “mongrel.” The guy who divorced his wife of 21 years to marry an assistant months after the divorce was final. The guy who chickened out of a CNN interview because the three female reporters were “Jezebels.” Real tough guy. The man known for such carnal, bombastic, and appalling rhetoric that he had to be publicly rebuked by Dr Mike Brown.
This couple upended their lives to follow a cult of personality, and they are now surprised that water is wet? Even now, they still “believe in him.” Tells you all you need to know about some corners of the tell-all industry that needs to do its own soul searching and repentance.
Excellent comment and completely on point regarding Greg Locke and his followers. In addition to “Is water wet?”, I would add “Is the Pope Catholic” or “Does a bear do #2 in the woods?”
When you have been a victim of spiritual abuse, or church hurt by a pastor you loved, and who “loved” you it is a long road to recovery. Speaking as one who experienced “church hurt” I am 4 years removed and every time I see something online, or drive by the church there is a little something that happens in my heart and spirit. I’m thankful this couple has seen the light and removed themselves. I am also thankful they are trying to love their former pastor, but I don’t think they have a responsibility for his repentance at this point.
That statement should not have left their lips.
Re: Greg & Taisha Locke Article
I personally know 2 people who were falsely accused in public by the Lockes, after spending so much time spiritually mentoring, physically training, and serving as personal protection for them.
The Lockes had someone else call them suddenly, to tell them they were done. No reason given, and refused to answer/respond to their phone messages.
This deserves to be looked into, because the WARrens did not rush out and go public. They easily could have done so. Instead, they stayed quiet for a very long time, and waited on the Lord for His direction.
The Lockes have owed the WARrens an apology for some time, but they have not done so.
Please contact them. It’s time to reveal the truth. Thank-you. They are:
Brian and Gina Guy-WARren
The problem starts with a female pastor and a male pastor who believes in the false pastor instead of Jesus first. That ministry constantly goes against God in both it’s preaching and teaching. Greg Locke is a dangerous false pastor.
What took you so long?? It’s about time they opened their eyes and saw Locke for what he is. Satanic. He divorced his wife and married Tai who was his secretary and wife’s friend. He is a hate preacher, smashing Barbi doll houses on the stage and screaming and yelling like a maniac. He thinks he’s a demon slayer, but he is the demon.
Psychopath or sociopath. He’s just crazy and acts crazy and stirs up strife and abuse. It’s time for him to be revealed for who he truly is and be removed from “ministry.” He makes me sick. People are so gullible! Where is their discernment?? Can’t wait for the book!!
Where is there customer savvy is more to the question with these type of enterprises and those who run them. When the “customers” vote with their feet, the enterprise and all that takes place with it comes to an end. In short, stop being an enabler.
With regard to this outfit, I am really tempted to write something like ‘a pox on all your houses’. Nothing about this operation suggests it is anything other than a grift, a money-making business operation masquerading as a church, and it is clear enough that there is real substance to the Greenwell’s accusations. But it is also clear that the Greenwells are almost certainly acting now, because it has become clear to them that there obvious desire to, ahem, engineer a coup has failed, and, of course, their upcoming book is nothing other than a money-making attempt of their own, a way to monetize the end of their ecclesiastical ties here.
Mt. juliet, TN. Not just “Juliet”.
Another case of people moving to a new church, a new career, in order to be (unknown to them at the time of their decision) voices of accountability. Holy Spirit at work.
Well done, Justin and Casey.
“the founding pastor created a spiritually abusive and manipulative culture.”
This is entirely unsurprising to anyone who has seen or read anything about Greg Locke.
So a church not registered as a 501c3 can be a non-profit AND donations can be legally deducted on 1040 Schedule A per the IRS – well, well… AND they do not have to file Form 990 – EVERYTHING is in the dark and the noose of religion and including establishment by use of tax deductions – is around the American people’s neck.
I’m part of a church that has just agreed a purchase price of $1.7m dollars for an industrial unit. It’s subject to planning and change of use permissions. Conversion costs will bring the price to c$2m. The church took a step of faith and rented out their now too small church to another church and agreed a temporary deal to move into an empty former retail unit. The deal lasted 18 months and cost c$300,000 to fit out and in running costs. The church is now back in its former building whilst it awaits the consent and permissions for the new building.
There has been, and is, is a lot more content from the leaders about finance, tithing, giving and how much is needed to be raised. They are currently relying on pledges and some wealthy benefactors to meet the funds.
It’s the vision of the pastor, supported by the elders. I’ve questioned why waste $300,000 on rental when that could have gone to a purchase. Now I’m wandering if we are also slipping into the ‘people as assets’ trap.
I don’t doubt for a moment the claims being made but even more I question any discernment in this couple. They watched the nonsense from Locke, which is a lot, then moved across states to attend and then be on staff. Locke has been raging hate for several years besides the personal issues. Saying they still support Locke is ridiculous.
Sadly this investigation may not force him to be accountable or make an apology. He will continue to go on manipulating and claim he’s being ‘Spiritually’ attacked.
And of course his many followers will follow suit.
Playing the “PERSECUTION!!!!!!” Card off the bottom of the deck, with or without the Vast SATANIST Conspiracy pulling the strings. These guys are so predictable.
Pastor Locke has LIED this very morning in his service. He said “anybody who has given a dime to this church can see the books”, which he has said multiple times over the years. My husband and I REPEATEDLY and respectfully asked to see the books associated with the church’s adoption agency, to which we gave a large donation. We were NEVER shown any books and were completely blocked!
It’s been several years ago , I ran across some of his sermons on Facebook. I listen to a lot of what he was preaching so I found out he was coming to a church in our community something led me to go and I ask my mom if she would go knowing my mom is a good character of people and she had been a Christian for so many years . And I have a lot of my mom’s characteristics like being in a room and feeling if there’s Godly Spirits or demonic spirits. When he started talking it was odd I felt something was off I guess what I’m trying to say is God puts you in places to let you see who’s really sincere and who’s not . I never wanted to listen to him again and my mom never spoke so that told me a lot . I’ll be praying that if he’s living for the right of God he will reveal it and if he’s not that he ask God to lead him to come with the truth and repent . 🙏
“Locke also challenged reports that the house was worth $1.6 million. Locke said the house was worth only $625,000, but he had spent another $1 million to buy 28 acres.”
That is NOT helping your case, Locke.
Stop getting intel/advice from those demons you claim to have exorcised.
(“If Greg Locke gets his info from speaking with demons, does that make him Greg Warlocke?”)
Now for the house itself (church-owned and tax-free):
A 4500 sq ft McMansion, fairly high on the McMansion spectrum. Note the overly complex roofline with each joint a potential leak point. The inconsistent window and door treatments. The grandiose front door/entry treatment complete with a dedicated porte-cochere. The inconsistent wall veneers and plant-on trim that fakes architectual details. I would not be surprised to see faux-crystal chandeliers as over-the-toilet bathroom lights. (“Why yes, We’re Rich. How ever could you tell?”)
Like most new-construction McMansions, I’d expect tofu-dreg quality of construction, i.e. genuine particle board and styrofoam. And major continuing repairs within five years, starting with a leaky roof. Like $3000 designer handbags and $500 designer T-shirts, the target customers for these are not rich people but people who want to pretend they’re rich. Or New Money whose only criterion is maximum bling and flash.
My source for everything McMansion is the “McMansionHell” website, specifically its “McMansions 101” page describing in detail the spectrum of good and bad architectural design.
“Pastors accuse Greg Locke of spiritual abuse, financial mismanagement”
I am SO surprised. [/sarc]
i.e. “What took them so long?”
It could be the sunk-cost fallacy played a role and it took a while for the Kool-Aid to wear off.
I am alarmed at the leaders who outgrow God and try to be God! Evidence is coming out of the “big-wig” leaders who think they are righteous and fail to to be pure in heart. The foundations of lots of ministries are cracking wide open. I am thankful for the exposures and shaking of today’s ” ministries”. They may have started out humble but along the way, the tempted got a foothold, and now they have become slaves of corruption. God warns us and tells us plainly that if a person calls himself a believer and habitually practices a sin or sins, do not even eat a meal with them. The pure strength of the Word has been adulterated. Instead of water turning into wine, the wine is turning to water. There are many offenses that Satan uses to try to discredit the real Word. If one is not willing to be accountable for the gifts and monies given into their ministry, I would say that is a huge red flag! The motive of each heart is open and naked before the One whom we must give an account. Without holiness no one will see God. Our heart must be wholly devoted to Christ. Transparency is a must, otherwise, we end end up deceiving ourselves and live a lie.
For more on the financial darkness in churches, The Religion Business docuseries is a must-see.
https://www.thereligionbusiness.com/
“This is a true saying: If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of Alahim?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, no slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Yahshua haMashiach.” 1Timothy 3:1-13
I continue to be amazed when Christians jump to believe everything they read when slaughtering a pastor rather than find out the truth for themselves. All these people need to listen to the service from December 14th and listen to pastor Gregs side of all this. You might be surprised what you will learn. God would not be using him world wide right now if he was guilty of these accusations! No one is perfect… even us Christians…but this man has a heart for God even few pastors have. Just be careful when you don’t have all the facts before speaking and spreading lies…
Assuming he is actually being used of God, might I remind you that God used a talking jack*** to get his message out. It doesn’t mean one should hire him as a pastor. While you are at it, please read up on the biblical qualifications for pastor and get back to us. The fact that he divorced his first wife to trade up to a younger model in the form of his former secretary should be a pretty big clue that he is not biblically qualified.
God used the Babylonians and Chaldeans too. Don’t assume that what appears like success is anything but a house on sand or a statue with clay feet.