Will Pastor Greg Locke's Global Vision Bible Church stay in Middle Tennessee? What we know

Global Vision Bible Church in West Wilson County has entered a contract to purchase an existing church property in Lebanon with the intent of relocating there, Pastor Greg Locke said.

Love's Way Church at 310 Coles Ferry Pike is the church campus Global Vision hopes to purchase, according to Locke, who spoke to The Tennessean on Monday.

Global Vision Bible Church now meets in a large white tent at 2060 Old Lebanon Dirt Road. The tent was put up in May 2020 as church attendance grew. Global Vision sits just outside the Mt. Juliet city limits.

A permanent structure would provide Global Vision with amenities like bathrooms, kids and nursery space, heat and air-conditioning along with the opportunity to expand classes and ministries with offices under one roof.

"Our church family has been faithful and has proven that God (built) a great church without all the extras," Locke said. "Now that we’ve stayed true, He is blessing us with the extras."

Locke announced plans to move several weeks ago to an undetermined location at that time.

Locke announced Sunday in Global Vision's regular service that a location in Lebanon had been identified, but didn't immediately specify Love's Way by name.

Love’s Way Church is for sale with a list price of $5.8 million, according to online posts.

Locke told the Global Vision congregation that $5 million needs to be raised in order to buy the new facility.

Global Vision has battled several lawsuits, including one filed by Wilson County over work done on its current 18-acre site without proper approvals. There have also been neighborhood complaints regarding noise and traffic for events.

Locke also cited that Global Vision has "spent an absolute fortune renting generators and fuel," and a move to a permanent structure will eliminate that "huge expense."

Locke also believes the move can render existing lawsuits meaningless. The Wilson County Planning Commission approved a site plan earlier this year as part of an effort by the church to resolve the county's lawsuit.

Wilson County Attorney Mike Jennings will "most likely recommend that the county's lawsuit remain pending while this develops," with variables on the Old Lebanon Dirt Road property remaining.

Love’s Way Church is planning its own move to a future building at 1315 Murfreesboro Road in Lebanon on property it owns, Pastor Johan McGregor said. McGregor confirmed the current Love's Way Church property is under contract, but did not specify who the potential buyer is.

The Love’s Way campus includes a 27,720-square-foot church building on 2.23 acres with a sanctuary, more than 10 classrooms, offices, a youth sanctuary, nine restrooms, kitchen, multiple entrances and playground, according to a post in June by Dunn Commercial Group.

Locke has gained a large social media following for his conservative political stances and the launch of a mass-deliverance ministry that involves casting out evil spirits. The church has also been known for events such as inviting people to burn items the church relates to witchcraft and the occult.

Locke has said that there have been purchase offers on the property Global Vision now uses.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Where Pastor Greg Locke says his Wilson County church intends to move