MOUNT JULIET, Tennessee โ Pastor Greg Locke, leader of Global Vision Bible Church, issued a forceful public statement this week rejecting claims that his outspoken support for Israel is motivated by money. Locke said he has never accepted funds from Israel or any other source to influence his views and that his pro-Israel stance has come at real cost.
In a post on X, Locke wrote, โLet me be clear: I BELIEVE THE BIBLE FOR FREE. I have never received a penny, a dollar, or a shekel from Israel, or anyone else for that matter, to stand and speak up for the Jewish people.โ He added that critics routinely accuse him of being โbought and paid for,โ but that those allegations are false.
Locke described concrete consequences of his position. He told followers that his church lost sponsorship opportunities and that hundreds of members left the congregation. He also said he and his family have faced threats, harassment, and other hostile acts. Local reporting has documented several security incidents linked to Locke, including a widely reported shooting at his home in September 2024 in which multiple rounds were fired at his residence. No one was injured in that incident.
The pastor framed his defence of Israel as a matter of faith and conscience. He told supporters he does not seek permission or payment to speak on the issue, and that his advocacy is rooted in biblical conviction. Social media posts, videos, and public sermons from Lockeโs ministry have repeatedly urged Christians to stand with Israel and to oppose antisemitism.
Lockeโs remarks come amid wider debate over public figures and faith leaders taking visible positions on the Israel-Hamas war and broader Middle East tensions. Supporters praise his clarity and courage. They say religious leaders have an important role in defending Jewish communities and in speaking out against antisemitism. Critics question the tone of some of his rhetoric and have scrutinized his ministryโs finances and public conduct in past controversies.
Local authorities have investigated security incidents at Lockeโs home and church. The Wilson County Sheriffโs Office confirmed it responded to reports that shots had been fired at his residence in 2024 and that it continues to monitor threats to public figures when credible information emerges. Locke and his ministry have said they take security seriously and have increased protective measures.
For Jewish and pro-Israel audiences, the episode underscores two points. First, public defenders of Israel from outside the Jewish community can provoke strong pushback that sometimes turns hostile. Second, faith leaders who take explicit stands provide visible political and moral support that many Jewish organisations welcome. Community security officials say constructive engagement between religious leaders and Jewish communal protection teams can strengthen safety planning and community resilience.
Pastor Locke closed his message by reaffirming his commitment. He promised to continue speaking out, to keep his church a haven for Jews, and to resist what he called intimidation. Whether one agrees with his style or not, his statement makes clear that his support for Israel is framed as conviction rather than compensation.
This article is based on verified information from Pastor Greg Lockeโs public posts on X and Facebook, reporting by WSMV News, The Tennessean, Christian Post coverage of Lockeโs ministry, and public social media videos and statements from Global Vision Bible Church.