America’s Largest Church Celebrates New Home
An over-flow audience of 16,000 gathered in the new sanctuary of Lakewood Church Saturday night to celebrate the first service of America’s largest church in its new home.
An over-flow audience of 16,000 gathered in the new sanctuary of Lakewood Church Saturday night to celebrate the first service of America’s largest church in its new home.
The Rev. Joel Osteen, senior pastor of Lakewood, reminded the audience of the church’s humble beginnings to demonstrate that anyone could accomplish “everything God has put in your heart,” according to the Houston Chronicle
Osteen explained that the church first began in humble ways – it started under his father, John, in a feed store in 1959. But now, the church has grown to 20,000 members and it acquired the rights to the Compaq Convention Center in Houston, he said, alluding to the story of Goliath and David.
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Osteen said he had been told by some that “it would be a cold day in hell” before Lakewood would gather in the Center. “I was thinking tonight, it must be a little cold down there," Osteen said.
Lakewood secured a 30-year lease to the Compaq Center from the city for $11.8 million – paid up front – in 2001. The church took over the center in 2003, and began $95 million in renovations. What was once a basketball court his now been turned into a thatre with seats that slope up from a stage complete with waterfalls, according to the Houston Chronicle
The Compaq Center is now known as “The Summit,” and it will likely hold over 30,000 worshippers every weekend; Lakewood became the first church to average so many weekly congregants.
The service began at 7 p.m. with special guest Gov Rick Perry.
Tomorrow, Lakewood will celebrate its first Sunday Service, in the new chapel at 8:30 a.m.
For more information, visit: www.lakewood.cc.
