Osteen’s Houston megachurch holds healing services week after shooting

Healing services were held a week after a woman opened fire at celebrity pastor Joel Osteen’s Lakewood megachurch in Houston on Sunday, Feb. 11. Osteen and his wife Victoria, welcomed community members.

“Lord, we think of your faithfulness, especially this week, Lord, what you brought us through,” Osteen said. “We don’t take it for granted. Your angels were watching over each one of us.”

During the services, Osteen and his wife were joined on stage by city leaders, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire.

“You know, you never question God’s will,” Whitmore said. “But certainly, after the tragedy of last week, he had a purpose in bringing us together to show how united our city is.”

On Sunday, Feb. 11, a shooter, identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, walked into the church with her 7-year-old son and started shooting. Moreno was killed during an exchange of gunfire with off-duty police officers working security at the church. Moreno’s 7-year-old son was struck in the head during the exchange and was in critical condition.

During this Sunday’s Feb. 18 services, Osteen and his congregation prayed for the boy’s recovery. According to a church spokesman, typically 40 to 50 officers work security at the church weekly; he did not know whether that number was higher this Sunday, Feb. 18.