Lakewood Church
Houston megachurch holds healing and thanksgiving service a week after deadly shooting
By Juan A. Lozano — February 19, 2024
HOUSTON (AP) — Osteen's Lakewood Church has not had services since the Feb. 11 shooting that sent worshippers scrambling for safety.
How Texas church shooter bought rifle despite mental illness and criminal history is under scrutiny
By Jim Vertuno and Juan A. Lozano — February 14, 2024
HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Police did not say whether the AR-15 was purchased retail, which would have required a background check if bought from a federally licensed firearms dealer, or a private sale, which would not.
Reluctant pastor’s son to most-viewed preacher: Shooting puts new spotlight on Joel Osteen
By Ben Finley — February 13, 2024
(AP) — The 60-year-old regularly preaches to about 45,000 people a week in a former basketball arena and he's known to millions more through his television sermons.
A shooter opened fire in a Houston church. Gunfire has also scarred other Texas places of worship
By Jim Vertuno — February 13, 2024
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Police identified the shooter as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36. Authorities said Moreno's 7-year-old son, who the shooter brought into the church, was shot in the head and critically injured.
What to know about a shooting at Joel Osteen’s megachurch
By Juan A. Lozano — February 12, 2024
HOUSTON (AP) — Osteen said the violence could have been worse if the shooting had happened during the earlier and larger late Sunday morning service.
Sheriff says suspect ‘is down’ after shooting at Joel Osteen’s Texas megachurch
By Juan A. Lozano — February 11, 2024
HOUSTON (AP) — Lakewood Church had earlier posted on social media there was an ‘active situation involving shots fired’ at one of the largest megachurches in the U.S. during its typically busy Sunday services.
Plumber reportedly finds cash and checks in walls of Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 3, 2021
(RNS) — Did a plumber just discover a new clue in a seven-year-old burglary case at the Houston-area megachurch?
For some churches, paying back PPP loans is better than forgiveness
By Bob Smietana — November 2, 2021
(RNS) — A handful of congregations decided to pay back their large Paycheck Protection Program loans.
Megachurches may be particularly threatened by COVID-19 closures
By Mark Mulder and Gerardo Martí — April 10, 2020
(RNS) — The demise of Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral, and his seemingly indestructible model for church growth, may be a portent for megachurch pastors in this crisis.
After Harvey criticism, Joel Osteen opens church to Jews for High Holy Days
By Kimberly Winston — September 20, 2017
(RNS) — The offer comes just a few weeks after the televangelist faced criticism for not immediately opening his downtown megachurch as a Hurricane Harvey shelter.
Joel Osteen’s church defends itself after social media storm
By Mark A. Kellner — August 30, 2017
(RNS) — 'I can’t repeat it enough: We never closed our doors. We’re a church, for goodness' sake,' said Lakewood Church spokesman Don Iloff.
A faith to weather the storm
By Jacob Lupfer — August 30, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) — One little-known fact about American religious communities is that many are mobilized for immediate disaster relief.
Joel Osteen heckled during church service, 6 arrested
By Josh Chapin — June 30, 2015
"He jumped up with his Bible and started screaming 'Shame on you Joel, shame on you Joel.'
Page 1 of 1
