Greg Locke’s son’s overdose grief shakes Tennessee church as the pastor plans memorials for Evan and vows to keep preaching because addiction kills.
Pastor Greg Locke told Global Vision Bible Church that his 20-year-old son, Evan, died from a drug overdose. He spoke through tears during Sunday worship, and he called child loss the deepest grief. Locke said he could not imagine losing his wife, but he drew a stark line between spouse grief and child grief.
He announced the death publicly on Friday, and he described Evan’s long, public struggle with addiction.
A Biblical Story Reframes a Father’s Pain
Locke compared his sorrow to King David’s anguish after Absalom died.
He pointed congregants to 2 Samuel 13–19, where family violence fractures David’s household.
Amnon raped Tamar, and Absalom burned with anger when David took no action. That breach widened, prompting Absalom to launch a failed coup against his father. David told his generals to treat Absalom gently, but Joab killed him anyway. David then cried out for chapters, wishing he could have died instead.
Locke said the story hits differently now, because grief wipes away old arguments. He admitted he once judged David harshly, but Evan’s death changed his reading.
Memorial Plans for Evan Locke
Locke said he will honor Evan with both public and private services.
Evan Locke’s public memorial is set for May 13 at Global Vision Bible Church in Lebanon, Tennessee. The church plans to receive family and friends from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., and the service starts at 7 p.m. Locke invited “anyone and everyone,” including people who previously left the church. He said Evan would have wanted that welcome, so the doors will stay open.
Afterward, the family will hold a smaller private burial on Thursday morning. Locke said addiction ministries will attend, and some knew Evan through prior programs.
Resolve, Reactions, and Rising Tensions
Locke said the devil attacked him with grief and guilt, but he refused to stay silent. He told the church he did what he could, but he said people still choose.
Supporters say Greg Locke’s son’s overdose spotlights addiction’s grip and pushes the church toward compassion. Detractors worry that public mourning from the pulpit may inflame conflict, and they question the tone of the language of spiritual warfare.
Pastor Greg Locke: ‘I don’t know that there is a grief deeper than losing a child’
Photo by Victoria Kure-Wu on Unsplash
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