Nevertheless, the pastor said that what money the church did raise, even if the church had access to it, was not enough to buy the property. “I say, God bless em, they can keep all of it,” he said.
Locke also said that GVBC did not buy him a house. Rather, he, his wife, and “businessmen” did that. The church did, however, show generosity by purchasing a house for other people. Locke later mentioned that his house is under GVBC’s name, not his own.
Locke said financial strain from departing members has hurt the church and that he has personally contributed proceeds from book sales, speaking engagements, and a film project to support GVBC.
Justin and Kasey Greenwell, Greg Locke Provide Further Comment
ChurchLeaders reached out to Justin and Kasey Greenwell and to Pastor Greg Locke for further comment and clarification on this story. Regarding Locke’s statement that it is “deceptive” to write a book about a church while being on its payroll, the Greenwells said in part:
The book “Pulpit of Leaves” is not a covert investigation, a hit piece, or a hidden agenda. It is a testimony of our lived experience in ministry. What we personally walked through, witnessed, endured, and learned during our time of service. Lived experiences are not deceptive to write about. They are, by definition, personal and true to the one who lived them.
“Writing honestly about what the Lord taught us in ministry is not betrayal: it is obedience. There is nothing unethical about processing real experiences,” they said, “especially when those experiences shaped our faith, refined our discernment, and clarified our understanding of leadership, accountability, and the heart of God for His people.”
The Greenwells said the book is intended to convey their experience, not to speak for anyone else. “Silence is not a biblical requirement for faithfulness,” they said. “Truth, when spoken with humility and care, is not deception: it is part of walking in the light.”
ChurchLeaders asked about Locke’s statement that he attempted to show the Greenwells the church’s books during the two-hour meeting but that they refused. “Pastor Locke’s claims do not align with what actually occurred,” they said. “At no point during that meeting did he offer to open the church’s financial books or provide general financial transparency.”
“What he offered, very specifically; was to show a printout of individuals who gave money toward the purchase of his personal home. That offer came after he introduced the topic of the house,” said the Greenwells. “The house was not the issue raised by us, nor was it the concern being discussed at that time. Financial transparency for the entire church was the matter at hand.”
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“A previous staff, Pastor and ourselves asked a year ago to see the books and we were denied,” they said, adding that they “know of many congregants who claimed to have asked to see the books and were denied.”
The Greenwells said that they had previously requested greater transparency on church finances and governance and were repeatedly told “that financial matters were ‘none of our business.’”
