Posted on 08/24/2016 6:49:08 PM PDT by Gamecock
HOUSTON - The attorney representing several members of the controversial Church of Wells told Channel 2 Investigates charges are being dismissed against the two remaining members.
Six men were charged with trespassing and disrupting services at Lakewood Church. On Wednesday, trespassing charges were dismissed against four members of the church and jury found them not guilty of disrupting a public meeting.
At the time of that trial, Jacob Gardner and Richard Trudeau were in New York state attending another court hearing. Jon Stephenson, attorney for the two men, said he was informed Friday by the Harris County District Attorney's Office the charges against Gardner and Trudeau were being dismissed.
The halls of the Harris County Courthouse echoed with the sound of hymns after four members of the controversial Church of Wells secured not guilty verdicts. The men were charged last June with trespassing and disrupting Sunday services at Lakewood Church.
“We are unashamed of the Gospel. We are willing to suffer, we are willing to go to jail, or anything,” said Church of Wells member Kevin Fessler. “By God's grace, God was with us.”
Church members said they spoke out during Pastor Joel Osteen's service last year because they believe he is spreading a false message.
“He is a false prophet and he preaches a prosperity message that does not turn the people from their sins,” said Fessler.
Osteen had no comment as he left the courthouse flanked by sheriff's deputies. Osteen's attorneys tried unsuccessfully to prevent the pastor from testifying and cameras were not allowed to record his time on the witness stand. Osteen testified the group interrupted his sermon four times and seemed intent to stay after they were asked to leave.
Patty and Andy Grove were appalled by the jury's verdict.
“These guys are criminals. They're dangerous,” said Patty Grove.
Grove and her husband drove from Arkansas to watch the trial. Their daughter, Catherine Grove, joined the Church of Wells in 2013 and cut off all contact with her family and friends. The Groves said all attempts to contact their daughter were blocked by church members. They believe the church is a cult.
“They should not have the right to terrorize people. They shouldn't have the right to go into anyone's church, into Joel Osteen's church, to terrorize children, women,” said Patty Grove.
Channel 2 Investigates has reported on how the Church of Wells is no stranger to controversy. Impromptu sermons by members around the country have resulted in several arrests and confrontations. In their eyes, though, church members believe they are only true Christians in a sinful world.
“This world is depraved and in sin, fallen. And Jesus Christ shed his blood for the whole so they might be saved,” said Fessler.
Attorneys for the men persuaded the judge to dismiss the trespassing charges. The jury found Fessler, Mark DeRouville, Randall Valdez and Matthew Martinez not guilty of disrupting a public meeting.
Attorneys for the men argued they were exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech by expressing a religious opinion and the disruption was an unintended side effect.
Two more members, Jacob Gardner and Richard Trudeau, still face trial in this case. At the time this trial started, Gardner and Trudeau were in New York state. Trudeau was at a court hearing on charges of disrupting services at a Baptist church in the town of Saranac Lake, and Gardner had traveled with him.
A judge said they could move forward with those cases when the men return to Texas.
Back Story: Six arrested at Houston's Lakewood Church after heckling senior pastor Joel Osteen
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I missed it, too, but it’s a good thing you posted it. Looks like I need to rethink my bucket list :)
Cult vs. apostates.
Could I get butter on my popcorn while I watch the show?
Church of Wells is a cult.
You’ve got to admit that it’s A Good Thing for these False Prophets to be fighting one another, though. ;)
I don’t care for Osteen, but care even less for the Church of Wells.
Got to say that i’m a bit concerned with this ruling. A “church” —whether we would esteem it genuine or cultic— is a private institution.
As such, the First Amendment does not apply. Imagine the difficulty if say an extreme Charismatic group entered your Presbyterian church in order to initiate a ‘slain in the spirit’ service.
Our response at my little OPC congregation would be to quickly give the violators the right foot of fellowship (a.k.a. a swift kick in the @$$ out the door). Even the EPC modified their by-laws in order to exclude whoever they wish for any reason that they may wish, or no reason at all.
So now all churches have to tolerate disruption of their worship service?
Good grief.
What a way to make Christians look bad.
Except that people don't realize that they are false religions. They think, and the media portrays them, as Christians.
Satan gets his best mileage out of wolves in sheep's clothing.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Osteen tried to have the Holy Spirit arrested for trespassing in his church!
“A “church” —whether we would esteem it genuine or cultic— is a private institution.”
Yes, but if they invite the public to come on down, well, then they would seem to have waived some of their normal recourse when the public actually show up...
that was funny!
No more than you would in your own house. Your rights do not diminish inside your home. However those of your visitors do. If they don't like it, they can leave, or be removed. Same thing with a church or any other private institution.
Welcome back
I don’t consider causing a ruckus at a church to be all that brave, not in our country anyway.
In fact, I consider it a 2 parts goofy and 1 part cowardly.
Nonsense. If you invite someone into your home, that makes it difficult to assert a case that they are trespassing, and that holds true even moreso for a church that issues an open invitation to EVERYONE to attend.
The only thing that is nonsense is the above statement. A person can be 'uninvited' at any time, and such matters are rather common. No peace officer would blink at or acknowledge a protest that the offender was initially invited.
Many churches, including my former denomination have provisions in their By-laws, or Book of Order (i'm a Presbyterian, we have a book of order in the denomination, the congregation has corporate by-laws. Polity depends on the tradition and will vary for different denominations.) to the effect that they can reject anyone at any time for any reason.
In the case of my former denomination, the provision was drafted by a ruling elder who works as a constitutional lawyer.
NOBODY has been crazy enough to challenge it even though there have been some rather crazy, disruptive people involved with that particular denomination.
Still, such provisions are not required to be explicitly stated. Were this the case, those who are excommunicated from a church body would have a case for legal action --this is an analog of somebody you have invited into your home who is no longer welcome there-- As far as i can see, Osteen and the congregation should have filed a Federal lawsuit, they would have won and rightfully so. Besides, i'd bet that the by-laws of Osteen's congregation DO provide a disclaimer. Osteen's father, Rev. John Osteen was not a stupid man, even if his theology was a bit aberrant.
i’m not back. Too busy these days.
yep, the homosexual can now enter and protest in your church. But on the other hand, the real test would be if we can disrupt a muslim service..............
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