Posted on 07/17/2005 10:15:12 AM PDT by BenLurkin
HOUSTON (AP) - America's largest church celebrated its move into the former arena for the Houston Rockets with a capacity crowd of 16,000, an upbeat sermon from its televangelist pastor and a spirited welcome from the governor of Texas. "How do you like our new home?" Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen asked to thunderous applause. "It looks pretty good doesn't it? This is a dream come true."
The new home for the nondenominational Christian church is the former Compaq Center, once home to the Rockets.
There were no vacant spots in the arena as Lakewood, which recently became the first church in the United States to average more than 30,000 worshippers weekly, held its first service there Saturday night. The service also was televised live.
Gov. Rick Perry praised the church's new look and told the crowd, "As lawmakers we do a lot of things, but only the church can teach people to love.
"This is nothing short of amazing," Perry said. "It is so great to look across this crowd and see the wonderful diversity of this great state we call Texas."
It took more than 15 months and $75 million to complete the renovations - which included adding five stories to make more room.
"I couldn't believe how beautiful it was," Osteen said afterward when asked to describe how he felt when he first entered what he called the "Texas-sized" sanctuary. "It almost felt surreal."
Video clips playing on three gigantic screens showcased the building and recounted the history of the church. One video recalled the church's humble beginnings in an abandoned feed store in 1959 and traced Osteen's rise to the pulpit after his father and church founder, John Osteen, died 40 years later.
Osteen took over the church in 1999 and has increased the size of the congregation almost five-fold since then. His book, "Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living Your Full Potential" has sold almost 3 million copies.
The service was highlighted by a 25-minute sermon by Osteen, who told the crowd that he and his wife, Victoria, went on their first date in the arena 19 years ago.
The crowd roared with approval throughout the message and was often brought to its feet as Osteen spoke in front of a large golden-colored globe that rotated slowly.
Members of the choir swayed happily, belting out several different songs below pictures of a crisp blue sky with puffy white clouds.
While collection plates were passed, video messages from people around the world, including Pastor T.D. Jakes of the Potter's House in Dallas, welcomed Lakewood to its new location.
"It is overwhelming, unbelievable, fantastic," Ann Bell, one of the church's original members, said after the service. "Words can't even describe it."
I sitll can't believe they are spending 95 million for this move.
Traffic was a mess by this place last night...it's an "evangelical" mecca...alright.
Two words..."Branch Davidian"...you better believe it.
My local news here in Dallas quoted someone as saying "Osteen was the next Billy Graham". I still laugh at the thought.
You have no clue as to what you're talking about, newbie.
How nice not to have a big vacant stadium in the city.
There was a Baptist church near our house in Oklahoma that had bought a vacant outlet mall and turned it into a church and school ... different, but it worked.
Oh, that's just silly.
Right...thanks for your opinion. And, if your only slight is that I joined FREEREPUBLIC recently...then, again, thanks for you opinion, chief!
Considering I live in the Post Oak area of Houston, have watched Osteen on TV before, yada, yada, just as entitled to my opinion as anyone else...I fail to see how this man is acting in the greater glory of God, rather than the greater glory of himself.
Peace.
They're going to have to have a BIG revival to purge some of the "evil" that went on there.
Rock, be rocked, or step aside (a-la Mad Max Hammer of zRock fame).
Trajan88; TAMU Class of '88
I watched the service on TV. It was pretty darned good, I thought...and the building is huge. Having that many people worshipping together is exciting.
Huh?
One of the old, underused Broadway theatres here in NYC was turned into a church not too long ago. It's a darn good thing, if you ask me.
Support that with a logical argument so we can see what you're saying.
I think it's good, too ... a much better value for the congregation and the community than building a new facility when something that would serve is available.
Ironic how "Christians" found no problem with people filling this stadium enriching millionaire athletes, screaming, shouting, painting their faces and buying $100-$200 jerseys while eating $6 hot dogs and drinking beer.
Apparently they want the old crowd back.
"Group Think"...it not just what's for breakfast.
When does a religious gathering, communing etc, cross the line into something for which God didn't intend? (IMHO it's right down Richmond Ave. in Houston from me.)
Again, it's only my opinion...if you think I am silly...fine. But, I believe the small Methodist church down the street from me, the catholic church on the corner, and the Presbytirian church not much farther from it...have more of an, honestly, christian leadership.
We've grown from 150 in 1995 when I started to close to 3,000, and are moving into our second building (having expanded the first one once already).
And you have brought how many people to Christ?
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