NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & SportsMayor Hopes To Recruit Megachurch To Mt. Juliet

Mayor Hopes To Recruit Megachurch To Mt. Juliet

MT. JULIET, Tenn.- A mid-state mayor has a bold vision: mixing church and state and business. The mayor of Mt. Juliet said he plans to actively recruit a mega-church to their city to attract more Sunday afternoon business.

"What a boom that would be to our retailers- to have 3,000 or more people exiting church at 12 noon and getting lunch at Providence, or shopping at Providence or going to a movie or spending their day in some other form in Mt. Juliet," said Mayor Ed Hagerty.

The Mayor's vision goes beyond building economic growth through a mega church. He said he wants to build on his town's brand as a patriotic locale and make sure those visitors and passersby know where the residents in Mt. Juliet stand.

"If we are able to recruit a mega church to our community, if they would put up a huge cross then everyone driving through Mt. Juliet on the interstate would immediately know that we stand first and foremost for God and country," he said.

As for questions about mixing church and state, Mayor Hagerty said no taxpayer money would be spent, and said he sees no conflict in his office pushing for a place of worship.