Controversial Mt. Juliet church moving to Lebanon

WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A controversial Mt. Juliet church, that worships underneath an enclosed tent, announced it's officially moving to a building in Lebanon.

It's a relief for some neighbors who have been complaining about noise for years. Some have even taken legal matters into their own hands.

During a service on Sunday, the pastor of Global Vision Bible Church said lawsuits will be "null and void." However, neighbors who live directly across the street said that's not the case.

“The drums are just deafening,” Linda Kent said in a previous interview.

“The church is here where the red dot is. And this is how far from the sound travels this is about 1.25-mile radius,” Kylie Blackett said in a previous interview.

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Blackett created an online petition for a noise ordinance in Wilson County. It was discussed multiple times during Wilson County commissioner meetings, but an ordinance was never created. 

So, neighbors took matters into their own hands and created a GoFundMe for a private lawsuit.  

Neighbors then donated all of the money to the Kents who live directly across the street from the church and are impacted by noise and water runoff. “It’s been a big issue,” Kent said in a previous interview.

In a service on Sunday, Pastor Greg Locke said the church will be moving 15 miles away to a building in Lebanon. He said the move comes after years of neighbor complaints, six lawsuits and people wanting to buy their property.

“Lawsuits are going to be null and void and no more sound ordinance lawsuits coming against us,” said Locke.

However, the Kents told News 2 over the phone that their lawsuit is still active. And while Mt. Juliet neighbors say they are relieved to see the church move locations, they hope neighbors in Lebanon are not subjected to the same disruptions.

“We are also relieved for the neighbors directly across from him and just being able to enjoy our own backyards it will be amazing," Griff Akins said.

A lawyer that represents Global Vision Bible Church said he has ‘no comment' regarding active litigation.