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{{Short description|U.S. Baptist pastor}}
{{Short description|U.S. evangelical pastor}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}{{Use American English|date=May 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}{{Use American English|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Greg Locke
| name = Greg Locke
| image = Greg Locke.jpg
| image = Greg Locke.jpg
| caption = Locke preaching at the Global Vision Bible Church campus in May 2023
| caption = Locke preaching at Global Vision Bible Church in May 2023
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|5|18}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|5|18}}
| birth_place = [[Nashville, Tennessee]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Nashville, Tennessee]], U.S.
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Christian preacher<br>Church pastor
| occupation = {{plainlist}}
*Christian preacher
*Church pastor
{{endplainlist}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{Marriage|Melissa Biggers|1996|2018|reason=divorced}}
* {{Marriage|Melissa Biggers|1996|2018|reason=divorced}}
Line 15: Line 18:
| children = 4 (two biological; two [[Adoption|adopted]])
| children = 4 (two biological; two [[Adoption|adopted]])
}}
}}
'''Gregory Duane Locke''' (born May 18, 1976) is an American [[non-denominational]] [[Evangelicalism in the United States|evangelical]] [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[pastor]], author and film producer. He is the [[Organizational founder|founder]] of Global Vision
'''Gregory Duane Locke''' (born May 18, 1976) is an American [[non-denominational]] [[Evangelicalism in the United States|evangelical]] [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[preacher]] and [[pastor]]. He is the [[Organizational founder|founder]] of Global Vision
Bible Church in [[Mt. Juliet, Tennessee]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Akers |first=Shawn |date=2023-02-10 |title=Locke Movie 'Come Out In Jesus Name' to Ignite Revival - Charisma Magazine |url=https://charismamag.com/spiritled-living/locke-movie-come-out-in-jesus-name-to-ignite-revival/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-13 |title='Come Out in Jesus Name' reaches top 5 at box office; moviegoers post stories of deliverance in theaters |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/come-out-in-jesus-name-soars-to-top-five-at-the-box-office.html |website=christianpost.com}}</ref>
Bible Church in [[Mt. Juliet, Tennessee]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Akers |first=Shawn |date=2023-02-10 |title=Locke Movie 'Come Out In Jesus Name' to Ignite Revival - Charisma Magazine |url=https://charismamag.com/spiritled-living/locke-movie-come-out-in-jesus-name-to-ignite-revival/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-13 |title='Come Out in Jesus Name' reaches top 5 at box office; moviegoers post stories of deliverance in theaters |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/come-out-in-jesus-name-soars-to-top-five-at-the-box-office.html |website=christianpost.com}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Locke was born in Donelson Hospital in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], in 1976.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Schmitt |first=Brad |date=2016-05-01 |title=Target-blasting pastor Greg Locke channels anger in new way |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2016/05/01/target-blasting-pastor-greg-locke-channels-anger-new-way/83615088/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}</ref> His father was imprisoned during Locke's early life, and his mother remarried when he was 5; Locke had a turbulent relationship with his stepfather.<ref name=":0" />
Locke was born in Donelson Hospital in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], in 1976.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Schmitt |first=Brad |date=2016-05-01 |title=Target-blasting pastor Greg Locke channels anger in new way |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2016/05/01/target-blasting-pastor-greg-locke-channels-anger-new-way/83615088/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}</ref> Locke claims his father was imprisoned during Locke's early life, and his mother remarried when he was 5; Locke had a turbulent relationship with his stepfather.<ref name=":0" />


Following multiple arrests, Locke was sent to a children's home at the age of 15, where he converted to Christianity.<ref name=":0" />
Locke states that following multiple unrecorded arrests, he was sent to a children's home at the age of 15, where he converted to Christianity.<ref name=":0" />


== Career ==
== Career ==
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Locke kept his church open through [[COVID-19 pandemic|outbreaks of COVID-19]], and claimed that it was a "fake pandemic".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Reeve |first1=Elle |last2=Russell |first2=Lacey |last3=Guff |first3=Samantha |date=May 29, 2021 |title=How a pastor's spread of Covid misinformation divided one Tennessee family |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/28/us/pastor-greg-locke-tennessee-family-covid-19/index.html |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=CNN}}</ref> He said that those who wore [[Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic|masks]] to his church would be asked to leave,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kilander |first=Gustaf |date=2021-07-27 |title=Pastor tells congregation to avoid wearing masks: 'Don't believe this Delta variant nonsense' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nashville-tennessee-pastor-masks-delta-b1891546.html |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> and [[COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the United States|discouraged vaccination]] among his congregation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peiser |first=Jaclyn |date=July 27, 2021 |title=Evangelical pastor demands churchgoers ditch their masks: 'Don't believe this delta variant nonsense' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/07/27/tennessee-pastor-greg-locke-masks/ |newspaper=[[Washington Post]]}}</ref>
Locke kept his church open through [[COVID-19 pandemic|outbreaks of COVID-19]], and claimed that it was a "fake pandemic".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Reeve |first1=Elle |last2=Russell |first2=Lacey |last3=Guff |first3=Samantha |date=May 29, 2021 |title=How a pastor's spread of Covid misinformation divided one Tennessee family |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/28/us/pastor-greg-locke-tennessee-family-covid-19/index.html |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=CNN}}</ref> He said that those who wore [[Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic|masks]] to his church would be asked to leave,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kilander |first=Gustaf |date=2021-07-27 |title=Pastor tells congregation to avoid wearing masks: 'Don't believe this Delta variant nonsense' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nashville-tennessee-pastor-masks-delta-b1891546.html |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> and [[COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the United States|discouraged vaccination]] among his congregation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peiser |first=Jaclyn |date=July 27, 2021 |title=Evangelical pastor demands churchgoers ditch their masks: 'Don't believe this delta variant nonsense' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/07/27/tennessee-pastor-greg-locke-masks/ |newspaper=[[Washington Post]]}}</ref>


Locke was present during the [[2021 United States Capitol attack|January 6 attack on the Capitol]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gowen |first=Annie |date=2022-03-31 |title=A Jan. 6 pastor divides his Tennessee community with increasingly extremist views |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/03/31/tennessee-pastor-extremist-politics/ |access-date=2022-05-27 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en}}</ref> He encouraged his congregation to travel to [[Washington, D.C.]], and was scheduled to speak before [[Donald Trump|Trump]] at [[the Ellipse]]. Locke did not end up speaking at said event, but he did deliver sermons at the [[Freedom Plaza]] on January 5 and near the Capitol steps during the insurrection.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last1=Kuznia |first1=Rob |last2=de Puy Kamp |first2=Majile |title=7 defenders of the big lie: The Pastors |url=https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2021/06/us/capitol-riot-paths-to-insurrection/pastors.html |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=www.cnn.com}}</ref> Afterward, Locke condemned the violence but maintained, without evidence, that it had been instigated by [[Antifa (United States)|antifa]].<ref name=":2" />
Locke was present during the [[2021 United States Capitol attack|January 6 attack on the Capitol]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gowen |first=Annie |date=2022-03-31 |title=A Jan. 6 pastor divides his Tennessee community with increasingly extremist views |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/03/31/tennessee-pastor-extremist-politics/ |access-date=2022-05-27 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en}}</ref> He encouraged his congregation to travel to [[Washington, D.C.]], and was scheduled to speak before [[Donald Trump|Trump]] at [[the Ellipse]]. Locke did not end up speaking at said event, but he did deliver sermons at the [[Freedom Plaza]] on January 5 and near the Capitol steps during the riot.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last1=Kuznia |first1=Rob |last2=de Puy Kamp |first2=Majile |title=7 defenders of the big lie: The Pastors |url=https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2021/06/us/capitol-riot-paths-to-insurrection/pastors.html |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=www.cnn.com}}</ref> Afterward, Locke condemned the violence but maintained, without evidence, that it had been instigated by [[Antifa (United States)|antifa]].<ref name=":2" />


Locke has been a speaker at several stops on the pro-Trump [[ReAwaken America Tour]], which features conspiracy theories about [[Vaccine misinformation|vaccines]] and the [[Election denial movement in the United States|2020 presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Brian |title=ReAwaken America: Speakers captivate crowds at Cornerstone gathering |url=https://www.thelcn.com/news/local/watch-reawaken-america-speakers-captivate-crowds-at-cornerstone-gathering/article_2f9acafd-5f38-551c-821a-592d2acbff91.html |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Livingston County News |date=August 13, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goshay |first=Charita M. |title=ReAwaken America tour set for stop in Canton Friday, Saturday |url=https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2022/02/17/trinity-gospel-temple-canton-set-host-reawaken-america-tour/6831171001/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Canton Repository |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Michael Flynn calls for 'one religion' at event that is a who's who of the new Christian right |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2021/11/19/michael-flynn-alex-jones-feucht/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
Locke has been a speaker at several stops on the pro-Trump [[ReAwaken America Tour]], which features conspiracy theories about [[Vaccine misinformation|vaccines]] and the [[Election denial movement in the United States|2020 presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Brian |title=ReAwaken America: Speakers captivate crowds at Cornerstone gathering |url=https://www.thelcn.com/news/local/watch-reawaken-america-speakers-captivate-crowds-at-cornerstone-gathering/article_2f9acafd-5f38-551c-821a-592d2acbff91.html |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Livingston County News |date=August 13, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goshay |first=Charita M. |title=ReAwaken America tour set for stop in Canton Friday, Saturday |url=https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2022/02/17/trinity-gospel-temple-canton-set-host-reawaken-america-tour/6831171001/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Canton Repository |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Michael Flynn calls for 'one religion' at event that is a who's who of the new Christian right |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2021/11/19/michael-flynn-alex-jones-feucht/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
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On January 23, 2022, during a sermon, Locke claimed that [[Obsessive–compulsive disorder|obsessive-compulsive disorder]] and [[Autism spectrum|autism spectrum disorder]] "could be" forms of [[Spirit possession|demonic possession]]: "Are you telling me my kid's possessed? ''No''. I'm telling you your kid ''could be'' "demonized" and attacked but your doctor calls it autism." This statement was condemned by advocates for [[Neurodiversity|neurodivergent people]] and the Autism Faith Network.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Controversial Pastor Greg Locke Says OCD, Autism Are Signs of Demonic Oppression |url=https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/milton-quintanilla/controversial-pastor-greg-locke-says-ocd-autism-are-signs-of-demonic-oppression.html |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=ChristianHeadlines.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Opponents of Pastor Greg Locke Censor His Riveting New Documentary, 'Come Out In Jesus Name' - Standard Newswire |url=http://www.standardnewswire.com/news/1547918935.html |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=www.standardnewswire.com}}</ref>
On January 23, 2022, during a sermon, Locke claimed that [[Obsessive–compulsive disorder|obsessive-compulsive disorder]] and [[Autism spectrum|autism spectrum disorder]] "could be" forms of [[Spirit possession|demonic possession]]: "Are you telling me my kid's possessed? ''No''. I'm telling you your kid ''could be'' "demonized" and attacked but your doctor calls it autism." This statement was condemned by advocates for [[Neurodiversity|neurodivergent people]] and the Autism Faith Network.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Controversial Pastor Greg Locke Says OCD, Autism Are Signs of Demonic Oppression |url=https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/milton-quintanilla/controversial-pastor-greg-locke-says-ocd-autism-are-signs-of-demonic-oppression.html |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=ChristianHeadlines.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Opponents of Pastor Greg Locke Censor His Riveting New Documentary, 'Come Out In Jesus Name' - Standard Newswire |url=http://www.standardnewswire.com/news/1547918935.html |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=www.standardnewswire.com}}</ref>


On February 2, 2022, Locke held a [[Book burning|burning of books]] and materials related to [[witchcraft]] and the [[occult]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sung |first=Morgan |date=5 February 2022 |title=Pastor holds bonfire to burn to witchcraft books like 'Twilight' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pastor-holds-bonfire-burn-witchcraft-books-twilight-rcna14931 |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Maya |date=2022-02-04 |title=Tennessee pastor leads burning of Harry Potter and Twilight novels |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/04/book-burning-harry-potter-twilight-us-pastor-tennessee |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> During a sermon on February 13, he claimed to have discovered six "witches" within his congregation during an exorcism and threatened to expose their.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smietana |first=Bob |date=2022-02-15 |title=Tennessee preacher Greg Locke says "demons" told him names of "witches" in his church |url=https://religionnews.com/2022/02/15/tennessee-preacher-greg-locke-says-demons-told-him-names-of-witches-in-his-church/ |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=Religion News Service |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vallejo |first=Justin |date=2022-02-15 |title=Pastor Greg Locke threatens to dox 'witches' that infiltrated wife's Bible book club |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/pastor-greg-locke-witches-qanon-b2015742.html |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>
On February 2, 2022, Locke held a [[Book burning|burning of books]] and materials related to [[witchcraft]] and the [[occult]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sung |first=Morgan |date=5 February 2022 |title=Pastor holds bonfire to burn to witchcraft books like 'Twilight' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pastor-holds-bonfire-burn-witchcraft-books-twilight-rcna14931 |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Maya |date=2022-02-04 |title=Tennessee pastor leads burning of Harry Potter and Twilight novels |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/04/book-burning-harry-potter-twilight-us-pastor-tennessee |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> During a sermon on February 13, he claimed to have discovered six "witches" within his congregation during an exorcism and threatened to expose their names.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smietana |first=Bob |date=2022-02-15 |title=Tennessee preacher Greg Locke says "demons" told him names of "witches" in his church |url=https://religionnews.com/2022/02/15/tennessee-preacher-greg-locke-says-demons-told-him-names-of-witches-in-his-church/ |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=Religion News Service |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vallejo |first=Justin |date=2022-02-15 |title=Pastor Greg Locke threatens to dox 'witches' that infiltrated wife's Bible book club |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/pastor-greg-locke-witches-qanon-b2015742.html |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>


Locke is the executive producer of the documentary film ''Come Out in Jesus Name,'' which was released in March 2023 through [[Fathom Events]].<sup><ref name=":3" /></sup> The film chronicled the ministries of deliverance ministers such as Alexander Pagani, Isaiah Saldivar, and Mike Signorelli.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-22 |title=Greg Locke claims theater threatened to call police if he prayed for moviegoers, demanded he leave |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/greg-locke-claims-theater-threatened-to-call-police-if-he-prayed.html |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=The Christian Post |language=en-US}}</ref> In a statement made to ''The Christian Post,'' Locke also expressed a desire to change his focus from politics, saying that he was “misdirected by focusing on things not in the spiritual realm.”<ref name=":4" />
Locke is the executive producer of the documentary film ''Come Out in Jesus Name,'' which was released in March 2023 through [[Fathom Events]].<sup><ref name=":3" /></sup> The film chronicled the ministries of deliverance ministers such as Alexander Pagani, Isaiah Saldivar, and [[Mike Signorelli]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-22 |title=Greg Locke claims theater threatened to call police if he prayed for moviegoers, demanded he leave |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/greg-locke-claims-theater-threatened-to-call-police-if-he-prayed.html |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=The Christian Post |language=en-US}}</ref> In a statement made to ''The Christian Post,'' Locke also expressed a desire to change his focus from politics, saying that he was “misdirected by focusing on things not in the spiritual realm.”<ref name=":4" />


During the early days of the bombing campaign in Gaza in October-November 2023, he was openly calling for genocide against Palestinians. He further called for missiles to destroy the Dome of the Rock and called Islam a Satanic cult.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-18 |title=Pastor calls for destruction of Dome of the Rock, inciting violence in Gaza |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231118-pastor-calls-for-destruction-of-dome-of-the-rock-inciting-violence-in-gaza/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Middle east Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref>
During the early days of the [[Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip (2023–present)|bombing campaign in Gaza in October-November 2023]], he advocated for violence against [[Palestinians]]. He further called for missiles to destroy the [[Dome of the Rock]] and called [[Islam]] a Satanic cult.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-18 |title=Pastor calls for destruction of Dome of the Rock, inciting violence in Gaza |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231118-pastor-calls-for-destruction-of-dome-of-the-rock-inciting-violence-in-gaza/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Middle east Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2024, on [[Easter Sunday]], an unknown man parked a trailer filled with Bibles at an intersection near Locke's church, and then intentionally set it on fire, according to the sheriff's office. Locke said that the act "was most assuredly directed at us" and that it proved Christianity is "under attack more than ever before in the United States of America".<ref name=biblefire>{{cite web|url=https://www.971theriver.com/news/trending/trailer-filled-with-bibles-set-fire-near-tennessee-church/MRGAXH5Y7RGUNIT4HSMB7EZ7A4/|title=Trailer filled with Bibles set on fire near Tennessee church}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Locke met his first wife, Melissa Biggers, at Good Shepherd Children's Home while he was there as a ward of the state; Biggers was among the facility's staff.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bromley |first=David |title=Global Vision Bible Church |url=https://wrldrels.org/2021/10/10/global-vision-bible-church-2/ |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=World Religions and Spirituality Project |language=en}}</ref> In 1995, Locke and Biggers became engaged. They have four children, two of whom are adopted. In January 2018, Locke confirmed in a video posted to Facebook that he and Biggers had separated,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blair |first=Leonardo |date=2018-01-12 |title=Tearful Pastor Greg Locke Admits He Is Now Divorced, but Insists 'I Am Not an Adulterer' |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/tearful-pastor-greg-locke-admits-he-is-now-divorced-but-insists-i-am-not-an-adulterer.html |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=The Christian Post |language=en-US}}</ref> and the divorce was finalized in May.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Blair |first=Leonardo |date=2018-08-10 |title=Popular Internet Pastor Greg Locke Marries Church Assistant After Divorce |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/popular-internet-pastor-greg-locke-marries-church-assistant-after-divorce.html |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=The Christian Post |language=en-US}}</ref>
Locke met his first wife, Melissa Biggers, at Good Shepherd Children's Home while he was there as a ward of the state; Biggers was among the facility's staff.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bromley |first=David |title=Global Vision Bible Church |url=https://wrldrels.org/2021/10/10/global-vision-bible-church-2/ |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=World Religions and Spirituality Project |language=en}}</ref> In 1995, Locke and Biggers became engaged. They have four children, two of whom are adopted. In January 2018, Locke confirmed in a video posted to Facebook that he and Biggers had separated,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blair |first=Leonardo |date=2018-01-12 |title=Tearful Pastor Greg Locke Admits He Is Now Divorced, but Insists 'I Am Not an Adulterer' |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/tearful-pastor-greg-locke-admits-he-is-now-divorced-but-insists-i-am-not-an-adulterer.html |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=The Christian Post |language=en-US}}</ref> and the divorce was finalized in May.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Blair |first=Leonardo |date=2018-08-10 |title=Popular Internet Pastor Greg Locke Marries Church Assistant After Divorce |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/popular-internet-pastor-greg-locke-marries-church-assistant-after-divorce.html |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=The Christian Post |language=en-US}}</ref>


Locke married Tai Cowan McGee in 2018. Prior to their marriage, she was his administrative assistant.<ref name=":1" />
Locke married Tai Cowan McGee in 2018. Prior to their marriage, she was his administrative assistant. Locke has repeatedly denied any suggestions of infidelity.<ref name=":1" />


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
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[[Category:American conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:American conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Baptists from Tennessee]]
[[Category:Baptists from Tennessee]]
[[Category:COVID-19 conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Evangelical COVID-19 conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:21st-century Baptist ministers from the United States]]
[[Category:21st-century Baptist ministers from the United States]]
[[Category:Independent Baptist ministers from the United States]]
[[Category:Independent Baptist ministers from the United States]]
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[[Category:Converts to Baptist denominations]]
[[Category:Converts to Baptist denominations]]
[[Category:American exorcists]]
[[Category:American exorcists]]
[[Category:Christian conspiracy theorists]]

Revision as of 01:46, 29 July 2024

Greg Locke
Locke preaching at Global Vision Bible Church in May 2023
Born (1976-05-18) May 18, 1976 (age 48)
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Occupations
  • Christian preacher
  • Church pastor
Spouses
Melissa Biggers
​
​
(m. 1996; div. 2018)​
Taisha McGee
​
(m. 2018)​
Children4 (two biological; two adopted)

Gregory Duane Locke (born May 18, 1976) is an American non-denominational evangelical Protestant preacher and pastor. He is the founder of Global Vision Bible Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.[1][2]

Early life

Locke was born in Donelson Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1976.[3] Locke claims his father was imprisoned during Locke's early life, and his mother remarried when he was 5; Locke had a turbulent relationship with his stepfather.[3]

Locke states that following multiple unrecorded arrests, he was sent to a children's home at the age of 15, where he converted to Christianity.[3]

Career

Locke "founded" Global Vision Baptist Church in 2006. In 2011, the church officially split from the Independent Baptist movement and changed its name to Global Vision Bible Church.[4]

In 2016, Greg Locke posted a Facebook video in which he criticized changes to Target's bathroom policy.[5] As of April 2022, Locke's social media audience numbers in the millions.[6][7] In September 2021, Locke was permanently suspended from Twitter; his account was later reinstated.[8]

Locke kept his church open through outbreaks of COVID-19, and claimed that it was a "fake pandemic".[9] He said that those who wore masks to his church would be asked to leave,[10] and discouraged vaccination among his congregation.[11]

Locke was present during the January 6 attack on the Capitol.[12] He encouraged his congregation to travel to Washington, D.C., and was scheduled to speak before Trump at the Ellipse. Locke did not end up speaking at said event, but he did deliver sermons at the Freedom Plaza on January 5 and near the Capitol steps during the riot.[13] Afterward, Locke condemned the violence but maintained, without evidence, that it had been instigated by antifa.[13]

Locke has been a speaker at several stops on the pro-Trump ReAwaken America Tour, which features conspiracy theories about vaccines and the 2020 presidential election.[14][15][16]

On January 23, 2022, during a sermon, Locke claimed that obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder "could be" forms of demonic possession: "Are you telling me my kid's possessed? No. I'm telling you your kid could be "demonized" and attacked but your doctor calls it autism." This statement was condemned by advocates for neurodivergent people and the Autism Faith Network.[17][18]

On February 2, 2022, Locke held a burning of books and materials related to witchcraft and the occult.[19][20] During a sermon on February 13, he claimed to have discovered six "witches" within his congregation during an exorcism and threatened to expose their names.[21][22]

Locke is the executive producer of the documentary film Come Out in Jesus Name, which was released in March 2023 through Fathom Events.[1] The film chronicled the ministries of deliverance ministers such as Alexander Pagani, Isaiah Saldivar, and Mike Signorelli.[23] In a statement made to The Christian Post, Locke also expressed a desire to change his focus from politics, saying that he was “misdirected by focusing on things not in the spiritual realm.”[2]

During the early days of the bombing campaign in Gaza in October-November 2023, he advocated for violence against Palestinians. He further called for missiles to destroy the Dome of the Rock and called Islam a Satanic cult.[24]

In 2024, on Easter Sunday, an unknown man parked a trailer filled with Bibles at an intersection near Locke's church, and then intentionally set it on fire, according to the sheriff's office. Locke said that the act "was most assuredly directed at us" and that it proved Christianity is "under attack more than ever before in the United States of America".[25]

Personal life

Locke met his first wife, Melissa Biggers, at Good Shepherd Children's Home while he was there as a ward of the state; Biggers was among the facility's staff.[26] In 1995, Locke and Biggers became engaged. They have four children, two of whom are adopted. In January 2018, Locke confirmed in a video posted to Facebook that he and Biggers had separated,[27] and the divorce was finalized in May.[28]

Locke married Tai Cowan McGee in 2018. Prior to their marriage, she was his administrative assistant. Locke has repeatedly denied any suggestions of infidelity.[28]

Bibliography

  • Locke, G. (2005). Blinded by Benny. United States: Sword of the Lord Publishers.
  • Locke, G. (2020). This Means WAR: We Will Not Surrender Through Silence. United States: Locke Media Publishing.
  • Locke, G. (2021). Accessing Your Anointing: Understanding the Spiritual Gifts. United States: Locke Media Publishing.
  • Locke, P. G. (2021). Weapons of Our Warfare: Unleashing the Power of the Armor of God. United States: Global Vision Press.
  • Locke, P. G. (2022). Revival. United States: Locke Media Publishing.

Filmography

  • 2023, Come Out in Jesus Name, Documentary Film, Executive Producer[1][23]

References

  1. ^ a b c Akers, Shawn (February 10, 2023). "Locke Movie 'Come Out In Jesus Name' to Ignite Revival - Charisma Magazine". Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "'Come Out in Jesus Name' reaches top 5 at box office; moviegoers post stories of deliverance in theaters". christianpost.com. April 13, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Schmitt, Brad (May 1, 2016). "Target-blasting pastor Greg Locke channels anger in new way". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  4. ^ Humbles, Liam Adams and Andy. "Greg Locke timeline: From independent Baptist pastor to right-wing firebrand". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  5. ^ Gowen, Annie (March 31, 2022). "A Jan. 6 pastor divides his Tennessee community with increasingly extremist views". Washington Post.
  6. ^ Homans, Charles (April 24, 2022). "A Crusade to Challenge the 2020 Election, Blessed by Church Leaders". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  7. ^ Smietana, Bob (September 14, 2021). "Twitter permanently bans Greg Locke, pro-Trump, anti-vax pastor". Religion News Service. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  8. ^ Alund, Natalie Neysa. "Tennessee pastor Greg Locke accused of spreading false info about COVID banned from Twitter". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  9. ^ Reeve, Elle; Russell, Lacey; Guff, Samantha (May 29, 2021). "How a pastor's spread of Covid misinformation divided one Tennessee family". CNN. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  10. ^ Kilander, Gustaf (July 27, 2021). "Pastor tells congregation to avoid wearing masks: 'Don't believe this Delta variant nonsense'". The Independent. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  11. ^ Peiser, Jaclyn (July 27, 2021). "Evangelical pastor demands churchgoers ditch their masks: 'Don't believe this delta variant nonsense'". Washington Post.
  12. ^ Gowen, Annie (March 31, 2022). "A Jan. 6 pastor divides his Tennessee community with increasingly extremist views". Washington Post. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Kuznia, Rob; de Puy Kamp, Majile. "7 defenders of the big lie: The Pastors". www.cnn.com. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  14. ^ Quinn, Brian (August 13, 2022). "ReAwaken America: Speakers captivate crowds at Cornerstone gathering". Livingston County News. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  15. ^ Goshay, Charita M. "ReAwaken America tour set for stop in Canton Friday, Saturday". Canton Repository. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  16. ^ "Michael Flynn calls for 'one religion' at event that is a who's who of the new Christian right". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  17. ^ "Controversial Pastor Greg Locke Says OCD, Autism Are Signs of Demonic Oppression". ChristianHeadlines.com. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  18. ^ "Opponents of Pastor Greg Locke Censor His Riveting New Documentary, 'Come Out In Jesus Name' - Standard Newswire". www.standardnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  19. ^ Sung, Morgan (February 5, 2022). "Pastor holds bonfire to burn to witchcraft books like 'Twilight'". NBC News. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  20. ^ Yang, Maya (February 4, 2022). "Tennessee pastor leads burning of Harry Potter and Twilight novels". The Guardian. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  21. ^ Smietana, Bob (February 15, 2022). "Tennessee preacher Greg Locke says "demons" told him names of "witches" in his church". Religion News Service. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  22. ^ Vallejo, Justin (February 15, 2022). "Pastor Greg Locke threatens to dox 'witches' that infiltrated wife's Bible book club". The Independent. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  23. ^ a b "Greg Locke claims theater threatened to call police if he prayed for moviegoers, demanded he leave". The Christian Post. March 22, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  24. ^ "Pastor calls for destruction of Dome of the Rock, inciting violence in Gaza". Middle east Monitor. November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  25. ^ "Trailer filled with Bibles set on fire near Tennessee church".
  26. ^ Bromley, David. "Global Vision Bible Church". World Religions and Spirituality Project. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  27. ^ Blair, Leonardo (January 12, 2018). "Tearful Pastor Greg Locke Admits He Is Now Divorced, but Insists 'I Am Not an Adulterer'". The Christian Post. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  28. ^ a b Blair, Leonardo (August 10, 2018). "Popular Internet Pastor Greg Locke Marries Church Assistant After Divorce". The Christian Post. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
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