Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church welcomes community back for healing, thanksgiving service after deadly shooting
HOUSTON – Celebrity pastor Joel Osteen’s Houston megachurch held a special service Sunday dedicated to healing and thanksgiving, a week after a woman opened fire in one of its hallways before being gunned down by security officers.
Osteen’s Lakewood Church has not had services since the Feb. 11 shooting that sent worshippers scrambling for safety. On Sunday, Osteen, his wife Victoria Osteen and members of the church staff who lead Lakewood’s Spanish ministry sat in chairs on the stage and spoke about the shooting, how it has impacted Lakewood’s community and how the church was moving forward.
Osteen told parishioners it has been a difficult time with “a lot of trauma.” Following musical performances, Osteen thanked those in attendance.
“You just got to know Lakewood is strong and it keeps getting stronger,” Osteen said. “Fear is not going to win. Faith is going to win. We are going to move forward.”
Church leaders also thanked the security staff and others who responded during the shooting and protected parishioners. Attendees gave officers a standing ovation.
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