HOUSTON — A recent cultural phenomenon occurred in Houston when a fast-growing church moved its services to a 16,000-seat arena that the local NBA team once called home.
Lakewood Church, a 30,000-member nondenominational congregation led by Pastor Joel Osteen, signed a 30-year lease on Houston’s former Compaq Center and then spent $95 million renovating the structure — replacing locker rooms with nurseries and concession stands with a unified food court.
When the church held its first service in the new facility July 16, the place was packed. Pulsing music, swirling lights and thunderous applause kicked off the Saturday night event as Osteen, his family and Texas Gov. Rick Perry entered the arena, the Houston Chronicle reported.
(TAB)
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