Osteen Celebrates Lakewood's Permanent Home
America's largest church celebrated on Wednesday as the former Compaq Center it had been leasing became their permanent home.
Houston City Council members approved the sale of the arena and seven acres of land to Lakewood Church for $7.5 million.
"I'm very excited," said Lakewood Pastor Joel Osteen. "[I] couldn't be more honored to know that the facility is ours forever; can't wait to see what God's going to do in generations to come."
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With more than 40,000 weekly attendees, Lakewood Church had moved into the former sports arena in 2005 after signing a 30-year lease. It cost the megachurch around $120 million to lease the facility and renovate it.
Several months ago Mayor Annise Parker approached the church asking if it would be interested in buying the property. Osteen said yes. The sale had to be approved by the city council.
The council voted Wednesday 13-2 to approve the sale. Some council members cited the tough financial situation and the budget shortfall the city was facing.
"I don't see where we have a lot of options," Councilwoman Jolanda Jones said, according to the Houston Chronicle.
All the while, Osteen said he did not feel anxious or concerned about how the council would vote.
"If God doesn't want us to own this building, He will close the door," he said. "If He does want us to own this building, there is nothing that can stop it from happening."
The Osteens – Victoria and Joel – are thrilled that the council decided to give the green light.
"Fifty years ago, the 90 members of Lakewood Church worshipped in an old, run-down, abandoned feed store that had been donated to them," Joel Osteen stated. "Who would have believed then that Lakewood Church would one day own such a wonderful building in which to worship. God has blessed Lakewood Church exceedingly, abundantly, above all than those original 90 members could have ever have asked, thought, or imagined."
The sale comes days before Lakewood expects to draw some 50,000 people for Easter services.
