A New Chapter for Global Vision Bible Church: Transition to a Spacious Facility
Global Vision Bible Church, under the leadership of Pastor Greg Locke, is set to hold its inaugural service in an expansive 32,600-square-foot warehouse in Lebanon, Tennessee. This move marks the church’s transition from its previous venue, a large white tent in Mt. Juliet.
Announcing the development, Locke informed his congregation that the new facility is situated at 1010 Maddox Simpson Parkway, close to the church’s former location, which remains up for sale. Plans are in motion to host a volunteer event before the first service at the new site.
“I’m so honored that you are here today for what is the final service of the tent,” expressed Locke during the announcement. He emphasized that this milestone is “just the beginning” of the church’s journey.
The facility is strategically located in the South Perimeter Industrial Park, surrounded by similar warehouse structures. The building boasts over six acres of space, including 2,500 square feet allocated for offices, as reported by The Tennessean. While the area is predominantly industrial, a few residential homes are nearby, offering a different environment from the previous tent site.
Founded in 2006, Global Vision Bible Church has experienced significant growth, driven partly by Locke’s presence and influence on social media. This expansion necessitated the search for a larger venue to accommodate increasing attendance.
The church has faced challenges, including complaints from local residents about noise and traffic associated with the tent services. This led to legal actions from Wilson County, citing zoning and noise violations.
The transition to the new facility follows an unsuccessful bid to purchase the Love’s Way Church property. Instead, the church opted to lease the new space, which offers better access to major routes and is more suitable for expanding the church’s activities.
Initially, Locke had hoped for a “miracle from God” to secure the $5.5 million needed to purchase the Love’s Way location. However, without the necessary funds, the potential deal collapsed.
In an October service, Locke addressed concerns about the church’s financial transparency, offering refunds to members who felt uneasy. However, when some members requested refunds, they were informed via Locke’s attorney that no refunds would be issued.
Locke denied any financial misconduct, affirming the church’s financial integrity with statements of compliance from the IRS and other financial oversight bodies. He also clarified rumors regarding his personal real estate purchases, stating his new home cost $625,000, funded through personal savings and business investments.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
