Mount Juliet, Tennessee – On Easter morning, a trailer filled with Bibles was deliberately set on fire outside an evangelical church in Tennessee, leaving the church’s pastor condemning the act as intentional. The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office reported that around 6 a.m., authorities responded to a trailer fire at an intersection near the Global Vision Bible Church. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, which had engulfed the trailer carrying the sacred books.
Pastor Greg Locke, known for his vocal far-right views, took to social media to share images of the charred trailer holding the burned Bibles. He described how a man parked the trailer in front of the church before setting it on fire. Despite authorities investigating the incident as a hate crime, Pastor Locke expressed his desire to distribute the scorched Bible pages, which were seized as evidence.
The pastor’s controversial reputation includes vocal support for former President Donald Trump, skepticism towards vaccines, and anti-LGBTQ+ activities. He has faced vandalism incidents and backlash from both neighbors and county authorities due to the disruptive nature of his services. The burning of the trailer with Bibles was framed by Pastor Locke as another attack on Christianity, prompting him to urge his audience to be vigilant in the face of increasing threats.
Authorities have not released further details on the ongoing investigation into the incident. Sheriff Robert Bryan expressed certainty that the act was intentional, adding to the string of vandalism incidents the church has experienced in recent years. Pastor Locke’s insistence on the symbolic significance of the burning trailer underscores the tensions surrounding his controversial beliefs and the church’s position in the community.
The deliberate act of burning Bibles outside the Global Vision Bible Church in Mount Juliet serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing religious institutions in an increasingly polarized society. As the investigation unfolds, the incident raises questions about the motivations behind such brazen acts of vandalism and the impact they have on the community. Pastor Locke’s response to the incident underscores the need for greater awareness and resilience in the face of threats to religious freedom.