HOUSTON, July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- America's largest church, Lakewood
Church, celebrated its move into the Compaq Center in Houston, TX, the former
home of the "Houston Rockets" as millions of viewers tuned-in live to watch
the festivities on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), the world's largest
religious network.
Speaking to a capacity crowd of 16,000, pastor, best selling author, and
televangelist, Joel Osteen, asked his congregation, "How do you like our new
home?" The crowd responded with a thunderous roar of applause! An elated
Osteen replied, "It looks pretty good doesn't it? This is a dream come true."
Governor Rick Perry of Texas was also struck by the church's new look.
"This is nothing short of amazing," said Perry during a brief welcoming
address to the congregation and other VIPs in attendance. "It is so great to
look across this crowd and see the wonderful diversity of this great state we
call Texas," he told the crowd. "As lawmakers we do a lot of things, but only
the church can teach people to love."
Video clips played on three gigantic screens as they recounted the history
of the church and its humble beginnings in an abandoned feed store in 1959.
The church was founded by Joel's father, Pastor John Osteen, over four decades
ago. Joel Osteen took over Lakewood's pastoral leadership in 1999 and has
increased the size of the church almost five-fold since then.
After the service, Osteen was interviewed by Matt Crouch, the youngest son
of TBN founders, Paul and Jan Crouch. When asked to describe how he felt when
he first entered Lakewood's new "Texas-sized" sanctuary, a smiling Osteen
said, "I couldn't believe how beautiful it was! It almost felt surreal."
"This is a great thing for Lakewood Church and the city of Houston,"
declared Paul Crouch Jr., Vice President of Administration for TBN. "Lakewood
has already made a huge impact on the city of Houston, our country, and the
world, but this move to the Compaq Center will increase their effectiveness
even more."
It has been reported that Lakewood recently became the first church in the
United States to average more than 30,000 worshippers weekly, and it is
estimated that over seven million tune-in weekly to listen to Osteen's unique
and uplifting Gospel message.
"What God is doing through Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen's ministry is
truly remarkable," says Susan Zahn, Founder of the Christian Public Relations
Firm, WDC Media. "They are truly making an impact that cannot be ignored."
The inspirational messages of Joel Osteen from Lakewood Church can be
viewed on the Trinity Broadcasting Network on Sundays 5-5:30 pm; Mondays 9:30-
10 pm; and Fridays 6-6:30 pm (All times are Pacific Daylight Time). For more
about Lakewood Church visit http://www.lakewood.cc or visit TBN online at
http://www.tbn.org .
Contact: Susan Zahn of WDC Media, +1-530-963-3466, for Trinity
Broadcasting Network.
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