‘Faith is going to win’: Lakewood Church services resume week after shooting

Services at Lakewood Church resumed a week after gunfire erupted inside the building in southwest Houston.

The church’s spokesperson declined to discuss any enhanced security measures for the return.

Genesse Moreno, 36, was fatally shot by off-duty law enforcement working at the church on Feb 11. Her 7-year-old son was also shot, and a 47-year-old man was wounded but survived.

Editor’s note: Authorities initially stated the shooting victim is 57 years old. On Sunday, the Houston Police Department corrected his age to 47.

After a week without services, Lakewood Church resumed with an 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. service, followed by a 2 p.m. Spanish language service.

Pastor Joel Osteen commenced the 11 a.m. service with a message focused on “restoration and healing.”

“Fear will not prevail. Faith will prevail,” Osteen emphasized. “This is a special service of unity.”

He made multiple references to last week’s incident, highlighting that the outcome could have been much worse.

“In times that shake us to the core, panic can strike,” Osteen remarked. “But when fear knocks, we answer with faith. This troubled woman came in and tried to instill fear. This is the time to shine brighter.”

The church extended a welcome to children aged three and older for special family services during each service, as per the church website.

Law enforcement continues to investigate the incident. Houston police are treating it as an ‘officer-involved shooting’ and plan to release body-worn camera footage from the involved officer within the next 30 days.

Moreno’s 7-year-old son remains hospitalized at Texas Children’s Hospital in an undisclosed condition.