Few pastors have run head-first into controversy as much as Greg Locke has. The MAGA pastor who had a nasty divorce from his wife whilst he remarried the church secretary has undergone a rebranding in the last couple of years. Greg Locke has stepped away from politics to do “deliverance” ministry. This has included partnering with Benny Hinn. And it ultimately culminated in Greg Locke being appointed an “apostle” by Malachi O’Brien, a liberal Southern Baptist pastor. This solidified Greg Locke’s status in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a hyper-charismatic movement that previously centered around the International House of Prayer, before Mike Bickle’s downfall.
Having firmly established himself in NAR circles, Charisma Magazine is even promoting his newest book, . The more surprising fact is how they are marketing his book as hyper-emotional and borderline effeminate.
“The LORD said He is raising up a SEASON OF TEARS,” Locke writes. “It’ll happen in places and at times you didn’t expect. It’ll hit like a lightning strike. You won’t be able to stop it and you won’t be able to control it. It will seem strange at first, but it’ll begin to feel more like a cleansing.”
This cleansing from God, Locke says, will be used to soften hearts as people grow closer to the Lord. It’s part of Jesus’ shaping process, the transformational experience to become more Christ-like.
Charisma Magazine focuses almost exclusively on his words about crying which do not appear in the Amazon summary.
This physical reaction based on a spiritual transformation is what Locke considers to be part of a “watering season.” Just as plants must be watered in order to grow and thrive, we too must be spiritual nourished in order to become the people God has called us to become.
“The next level of abundance and authority that you seek cannot grow up without this current season of tears watering the soil. This is a classroom you must sit in. You must learn and you must pass this test in order to graduate. The season of tears is not the result of being overcome by hurt. It’s the result of being overwhelmed by HIM,” Locke writes.
All pain has a purpose, as do all seasons of life. God will use all tears from a time of mourning into a time of joy. The tears may come first, but God always births something new out of the times of trial and turmoil.
There are many Christians who can relate to this and many who do not. Locke, from these quotes, seems to be adding barriers or proofs to salvation which are extra-biblical.
