LEBANON, TN – Pastor Greg Locke, senior leader of Global Vision Bible Church, is mourning the death of his son, Evan Locke. The pastor shared the devastating news with his supporters on Friday (May 8).
“Today, words fail us,” Locke wrote on Facebook. “It’s been a long, hard battle the last few years,” the pastor said. “In times like this, the sacrifices and the struggles don’t even matter.”
Pastor Locke went on to share the news of his son’s death. “A few hours ago we received the most earth-shattering news that our 20 year old son, Evan Roberts Locke, could not be revived after his heart stopped due to an overdose. His struggle was very public. It was used as a warning to many, a punchline to the haters but an overall reminder that even in our deepest pain, the grace of Jesus will sustain us.”
Evan Locke was Pastor Greg Locke’s son with his first wife, Melissa Biggers. The young adult took to social media last August to celebrate his progress, which included moving to Florida and preparing for a new career.
“I’m not really good at talking, but I just want to let y’all know how blessed I am and how overwhelmed I am right now,” Evan said in his Facebook video. “Literally four months ago, I was homeless, nowhere to go, no one to talk to, absolutely nothing. Just me. Just me. And then I was broken. I was lost,” the young adult said.
Evan Locke went on to share his battle with substance abuse. “A lot of y’all know I’ve been going through addiction for a couple of years now, in and out of it,” the young adult said. “It’s been rough. But I just want to let y’all know that God can set you free.”
Several supporters watched the video update and encouraged Evan Locke to keep going. “Keep going after God,” one social media follower advised. “So proud of you.”
Pastor Greg Locke is expected to share details about arrangements with his congregation on Sunday (May 9). The spiritual leader has asked the public for privacy concerning the matter.