On the heels of the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global pandemic, several conventions, sports events and schools have opted to cancel the mass gathering of people. Joel Osteen, who pastors Texas megachurch Lakewood Church, is not yet sold on closing the church’s doors.
Sources close to the charismatic preacher told TMZ that his Houston church would push through the coronavirus crisis come Sunday, meaning possibly 50,000 people will congregate at the massive church this weekend.
The church will hold three services this weekend, one Saturday night and two Sunday. Each service, according to the source, will draw more than 15,000 people.
This commitment to serving the Lakewood Church community also comes as a Houston-area man has been identified as the first possible case of coronavirus that is not travel-related, according to a report by the Texas Tribune.
“It could very likely be the first community spread,” said Alicia Williams, director of the Montgomery County Public Health District.
The case raises questions about the possibility that there are numerous infections in Texas that are unknown. As of Tuesday, state health officials confirmed there were 32 COVID-19 cases in Texas. Eleven of those stem from people traveling abroad who were forced by the federal government to quarantine in San Antonio’s Lackland Air Force Base, where about 100 more people arrived to be quarantined Tuesday night.
Church members and staff have traveled to known areas affected by COVID-19, but they have been advised to stay home if they feel sick, per TMZ’s report. The church has taken precautions such as sanitizing surfaces and bathrooms.
Lakewood’s plans are subject to change, according to the sources.
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