All articles tagged with #megachurch
Robet Morris, a Texas megachurch pastor and founder of Gateway Church, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in Oklahoma in the 1980s, receiving a 10-year sentence but serving only six months in jail, with ongoing probation and registration as a sex offender.
Robert Morris, founder of Gateway Church in Texas, pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges in Oklahoma, where he was sentenced to a 10-year suspended sentence, registered as a sex offender, and ordered to pay restitution, following allegations from a woman who was abused as a child in the 1980s.
The founder of a Texas megachurch, Robert Preston Morris, pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges related to abuse that began in 1982 when the victim was 12, resulting in a suspended 10-year sentence, registration as a sex offender, and other penalties.
Robert Morris, a prominent Texas megachurch pastor, pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges related to incidents in the 1980s, after decades of silence and legal battles, leading to a prison sentence and public acknowledgment of his misconduct.
Naasón Joaquín García, leader of the La Luz del Mundo megachurch, along with his mother and associates, has been indicted on federal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and child pornography, with allegations of systematic abuse and exploitation spanning years and multiple countries. García, already serving a prison sentence in California, was moved to federal custody, and authorities seized over $1 million in cash and valuables from his and his mother's homes. The case highlights the church's alleged use of its influence and wealth to facilitate abuse and silence victims, with ongoing investigations and potential life sentences for some defendants.
Leaders of the Mexican megachurch Iglesia La Luz del Mundo, including Naasón Joaquin Garcia, have been indicted in New York on federal charges of sex trafficking, abuse, and financial crimes, with allegations of exploiting followers' faith for sexual abuse and other illicit activities over decades.
Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a "slight health incident" during a sermon at The Potter's House Church in Dallas, Texas. The church reported that Jakes, 67, received immediate medical attention and is currently stable under medical care. The incident occurred during a Sunday service, and further details are awaited as the story develops.
Bishop T.D. Jakes is in stable condition after experiencing a medical emergency during a sermon at the Potter's House of Dallas. Video footage shows him shaking on stage before receiving immediate medical attention. The church confirmed his stability and expressed gratitude for the community's support. Jakes founded the 30,000-member megachurch in 1996.
Body cam footage released by Houston police shows off-duty officers confronting a woman who opened fire at Joel Osteen’s megachurch, injuring her 7-year-old son and two others. The footage depicts officers urgently calling for medical help for the boy and engaging in gunfire with the shooter, Genesse Moreno, who was killed. Security camera footage also shows Moreno arriving at the church with her son before the shooting. The motive behind the shooting and how Moreno obtained the AR-style rifle are still under investigation.
Genesse Ivonne Moreno, armed with an AR-style rifle, entered Lakewood Church in Texas with her young son and opened fire, injuring her son and sparking a gun battle with off-duty officers. Moreno, who had a history of mental illness and used male and female aliases, was not a known member of the church. Investigators are looking into a dispute involving Moreno and her ex-husband's family, as well as the source of the rifle. The shooting, which took place between services, left worshippers terrified, but no one else was seriously injured.
A woman armed with an AR-15 rifle opened fire in the crowded Lakewood Church in Texas, before being shot and killed by security. The suspect, Genesse Ivonne Moreno, had "Palestine" written on her rifle and had a history of mental health issues and criminal convictions. One man was injured, and her 7-year-old son was critically wounded in the shootout. The motive is unclear, but investigators believe she had a familial dispute with her ex-husband's Jewish family. The church, led by televangelist Joel Osteen, is one of the largest in the country, and the incident occurred during a live stream service.
Joel Osteen, the pastor of a Houston megachurch, has become one of the most well-known figures in American religion, drawing millions of followers through his television sermons and preaching to about 45,000 people weekly. His laid-back preaching style and focus on feel-good messaging have drawn both praise and criticism. The recent shooting at his church, which left a 5-year-old boy critically wounded, has put a new spotlight on Osteen and his church. Osteen inherited his calling from his father and has significantly expanded the congregation. Despite criticism, Osteen's message of hope and encouragement resonates with a diverse audience, and his megachurch provides a multimedia experience for worshippers.
A woman entered Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston with a long gun and a young child, opening fire and injuring the child and another man before being shot and killed by law enforcement. The shooter claimed to have a bomb, but no explosives were found. The incident, which occurred between services, marks the latest outbreak of gun violence in the US at a once-considered safe place, prompting authorities to conduct a methodical search of the church building.
A woman opened fire with a long gun inside Joel Osteen's megachurch in Houston, injuring two people, including a 5-year-old boy in critical condition, before being confronted and killed by off-duty officers. The motive and the woman's identity remain unknown, and it's unclear what relationship she had with the boy. The church, with a 16,000-person capacity, was preparing for its Spanish service when the shooting occurred. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expressed condolences, and Osteen vowed to continue uplifting people despite the tragedy.
An off-duty police officers shot and killed a woman who opened fire with a rifle in Joel Osteen's Houston megachurch, leaving a 5-year-old child in critical condition. The woman, who claimed to have a bomb, was shot by two officers after firing inside the church. Joel Osteen expressed shock and said the church will stay strong. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and the woman's backpack and vehicle were found to have no explosives. The church, known for its large congregation, canceled its next broadcast following the incident.