Imagine being part of a church with nationwide influence. The pastor is recognized as someone who speaks boldly about societal matters. His wife is someone revered by other women who long to pray and intercede like she does every Sunday morning. Now, imagine knowing the truth behind the image they present in front of the cameras. Such is the story of Kasey and Justin Greenwell. They talk about their time in ministry at Global Vision Bible Church in Pulpit of Leaves: Deception in Plain Sight: Unmasking Counterfeit Voices, Charisma, and Control in the Church.
How Did It All Begin?
Kasey and Justin Greenwell’s journey at Global Vision Bible Church began online. The couple faithfully watched church services from their home in Indiana for several months before feeling called to pack up everything and move to Tennessee. The mission was to have better access to the church so they could attend in-person and also participate in special events. The faithfulness of the Greenwells ultimately led to the lead pastors of the church offering them staff positions. That is where things went South.
According to Kasey and Justin Greenwell, the leaders of Global Vision Bible Church used the trust given to them by the congregation as leverage. The pastors went from advocating for people to press into the presence of God on a daily basis, regardless of whether at home or church, to equating the presence of God with the church building itself. The leaders also gave bad advice that carried lasting consequences, according to the Greenwells.
The Biblical Foundation, And Lack Thereof
It is difficult to read Pulpit of Leaves without wondering why anyone would be inclined to visit, let alone be a part of, a church such as Global Vision. Anyone familiar with Pastor Greg Locke understands him to be someone who speaks his mind regardless of how others feel about his opinions. This is not always a good thing, especially given that the Bible advocates for individuals to be slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19).Â
Why then, knowing the persona that Locke bolsters, would anyone want to be a part of such a ministry? Perhaps, they enjoy the in-your-face atmosphere. Perhaps, they feel like membership at a church such as Global Vision gives them access to something bigger than themselves. Whatever the reasoning, people cannot say they were attracted to the church because of its Biblical foundation.
Stealing Cars And Losing Congregants
At one point in Pulpit of Leaves: Deception in Plain Sight: Unmasking Counterfeit Voices, Charisma, and Control in the Church, Kasey and Justin Greenwell shed light on a congregant who passed away after refusing to take prescribed medication. This parishioner allegedly received counsel from someone in leadership at Global Vision Bible Church before making the decision, which turned out to be detrimental. The congregant passed away as a result of his refusal to take prescribed medication to better his health.Â
While Justin and Kasey Greenwell do not completely place blame for the parishioner’s death on Global Vision’s teachings, they do point out that pharmaceuticals were demonized at the church. It could be possible then, according to the Greenwells, that the congregant was ill-advised during his counsel session and took it upon himself, based on the teachings, to stop taking much-needed medication. Of course, everything is speculation since the Greenwells were not privy to the conversation that preceded the parishioner’s death.
What is not speculation, according to Justin and Kasey, is how chaos ensued the moment Global Vision Bible Church decided to engage with Deliverance Ministry. For those who do not know, Deliverance Ministry is a branch of Christianity that views personal struggles as demons needing to be cast out. An individual battling with addiction, for example, may have an evil spirit living inside of them, according to Deliverance Ministry philosophy. That person would need to undergo a deliverance session provided by a deliverance minister to be free of the demon torturing them.
The verdict about Deliverance Ministry and its legitimacy is still out. The way the practice was carried out at Global Vision Bible Church is certainly questionable. According to Kasey and Justin Greenwell, parishioners ran out of the church and stole cars during a mass deliverance session that they witnessed. Follow-up sessions after the service did not appear to happen, which makes an outsider wonder if people actually experienced freedom from whatever was tormenting them.
Why Didn’t They Leave?
If you have a church where the leaders are highly manipulative and people run out of service to steal cars, then why would you stay? Why would you remain part of a community that seems so toxic? A mixture of brainwashing with a touch of personal perks is likely the answer.
As Kasey and Justin Greenwell explain, they were witnesses to the alleged corruption at Global Vision Bible Church and also participants in said misconduct. According to their memoir, the Greenwells received enough money from the senior leaders of Global Vision to purchase a home for themselves in Tennessee. This financial incentive was apparently classified as a gift or love offering. The Greenwells did not consider the source of the money, which was the congregation.
It is quite difficult to leave a place where you are benefiting from the corruption you know to be wrong. Such resolve to walk away requires a level of spiritual maturity that the Greenwells lacked.
In Conclusion
Pulpit of Leaves: Deception in Plain Sight: Unmasking Counterfeit Voices, Charisma, and Control in the Church by Kasey and Justin Greenwell is a good read for those who enjoy memoirs mixed with a bit of self-help advice. This is not the ideal read for individuals who just want to hear a story without any advice for spiritual living from the author.Â