Controversial pastor Greg Locke is speaking out after what he describes as one of the most traumatic moments of his life, insisting neither he nor his church has anything to hide despite an ongoing federal investigation.
Addressing his congregation at Global Vision Bible Church in Lebanon, Tennessee, Locke claimed around 60 federal agents descended on his home in a pre-dawn raid while he, his wife, and their children were asleep. The dramatic operation, he said, came as his family was still grieving the death of his 20-year-old son, Evan, who died from a drug overdose in May.
"The thing that angered me was not that it happened, but that the enemy kicked us while we were down," Locke told church members. "It took away the opportunity for me to continue to grieve Evan."
According to Locke, agents forced their way into the home shortly after 6 a.m., ordering him to the ground while armed officers searched the property. He said his wife was escorted outside in her nightclothes, while three of their children were pulled from their bedrooms during the operation.
Locke claimed investigators told him they were responding to years of online allegations accusing him of misappropriating church funds. He also alleged that agents searched for evidence related to child trafficking before spending roughly three hours combing through the property.
"They went through every drawer, every cabinet, every bed, every attic, every chicken coop, every shed on our property," he said, noting that agents left with only a small box containing a few financial documents after seizing phones, computers, and other electronic devices.
The outspoken pastor also revealed that the fallout has extended beyond the raid itself. He said banks have closed both his personal accounts and Global Vision Bible Church's accounts after federal subpoenas were issued, leaving the ministry unable to pay staff or cover routine expenses.
Despite the financial uncertainty, Locke praised his church leadership for continuing to serve without pay.
"None of them have received any pay whatsoever," he said. "They all said, 'Preacher, we're riding at dawn. We're not here for a paycheck.'"
While acknowledging that the investigation has reportedly been ongoing for about two years, Locke stressed that he has no intention of resisting authorities.
"We have nothing to hide," he declared. "It's just difficult to get them everything they want because they took everything."
The allegations have drawn renewed attention to former church members, including Jen Rockwell, who launched the "unLOCKEd" social media campaign highlighting claims of financial manipulation, corruption, and psychological control within the church. After receiving what she described as a lengthy text message from Locke following his public remarks, Rockwell said the federal search warrant does not represent the end of the legal process.
She noted that investigators are still reviewing evidence and emphasized that search warrants alone do not indicate criminal charges, adding that any potential prosecution would likely involve further investigative steps, including possible grand jury proceedings.
For now, Locke says he remains focused on rebuilding after the raid while maintaining that both he and his church will cooperate fully with investigators.
