Pastor Osteen: 'We must keep our faith and remember that evil will not win. God will guide us through the darkest times.'

By CP Staff, Sunday, February 11, 2024

Updated at 8:12 PM EST February 11, 2024

Members of Pastor Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church were overcome with shock Sunday afternoon after a woman described as wearing a trench coat and backpack and accompanied by a young child began firing a rifle inside the church. She was shot dead by two off-duty officers.

The woman, who has not been identified but was described as between 30- and 35-years-old, entered the Houston-based church just before the start of the 2 pm Spanish-language service and was accompanied by a 5-year-old child. .

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said on Sunday press conference that the two off-duty officers – a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agent and a Houston Police Department officer – shot and killed the armed woman. The child, identified as a 5-year-old boy, was critically injured and transported to Texas Children's Hospital.

A 57-year-old bystander was shot in the leg and is said to be in stable condition.

In a statement shared with The Christian Post at 7 pm Central time, Pastor Osteen said:

Our community is devastated by today's events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement. May the healing hands of God touch the lives of all involved and provide comfort during this difficult time.

In the face of such darkness, we must keep our faith and remember that evil will not win. God will guide us through the darkest times. Together, we will rise above this tragedy and stand firm in our commitment to love and support each other.

In times like these, our faith is tested, but it is also strengthened. We don't always understand why things like this happen, but we know that God is in control.

Please join me in continued prayer for healing and peace.

In public statement about X at around 2:30 pm Central time on Sunday, Lakewood Church announced: “There is an active situation involving shots fired at Lakewood. Law enforcement is on the scene. That is all the information we have at this time. Please pray for Lakewood and our community. We are destroyed.”

Finner said during the press conference that the woman entered the church at 1:53 p.m. local time armed with a long rifle and wearing a trench coat and backpack with the child in tow. The police chief added that the incident could have been much worse had it not been for the quick action of the off-duty officers.

“She (the shooter) was pronounced dead at the scene,” Finner added. “Unfortunately, the 5-year-old child was hit and is in critical condition in a local hospital. It was a 57-year-old man who had nothing to do with it … he was shot in the leg. . He is seeking treatment in the hospital. So let's all pray for each and every one of them.”

The police chief said that when the woman fell after being shot, she claimed to have a bomb, leading officers to search her backpack and vehicle, but they found no explosives. Officers also searched the church, including the 16,000-seat sanctuary.

Finner said the shooter was also seen “spraying an unidentifiable substance,” which required the assistance of a hazmat team with the Houston Fire Department. Fire Chief Samuel Peña said they found “nothing alarming.”

During the press conference on Sunday, Pastor Osteen agreed with the police chief that the incident could have been much worse if the shooter had not been stopped. He added that the church was “destroyed”, and he felt he was in a “fog” amid the aftermath but would pray for the 5-year-old boy, the deceased woman and her family, and the 57-year-old man, who was also injured.

“There are forces of evil … but the forces of God are stronger than that. We will do what God has called us to do: lift people up and give hope to the world.”

Also speaking at the press conference, Houston Mayor John Whitmire lamented, “It is unfortunate that on the day we want to attend church and watch America's number one sporting event, we find ourselves gathered here to respond to this tragedy. We want Houstonians to know they are protected by their first responders.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott also reacted to the shooting, writing on X: “Our hearts go out to those affected by today's tragic shooting in Houston. Houses of worship are sacred. I spoke with Mayor Whitmire and offered the full support of Texas to bring this criminal to justice. Join Cecilia and me in praying for the Lakewood . Church community.”

Lakewood Church has a weekly attendance of about 45,000 people. Pastor Osteen and members of the church recently celebrated paying off a $100 million loan taken out 20 years ago to buy and renovate the building that previously served as the arena for the Houston Rockets basketball team.

This is a developing story and will be updated as new details emerge.