Lakewood Church Holds Special Healing Service After Shooting Tragedy

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, discussed how the church was moving forward after the shooting incident. They also thanked the security staff and others who responded during the shooting and protected parishioners. Various law enforcement officers, including Houston Police, patrolled the hallways during and between services.

The Shooting Incident

The shooting occurred when Genesse Moreno entered the church with her 7-year-old son and began firing an AR-style rifle. She did not reach the main sanctuary and was killed after exchanging gunfire with two off-duty officers. Two people were wounded in the shooting, including Moreno’s son, who was shot in the head and remained hospitalized. Osteen, who wiped away tears as he spoke, said he was praying for the boy. "We come every Sunday, and the enemy is not going to stop us," a church member said. "Fear is not going to have any power over us just because of a bad incident."