Joel Osteen's Senior Worship Leader: 'I Have Not Been Fired' Following Divorce, New Girlfriend
By Heather Clark on March 27, 2016

HOUSTON, Texas — The longtime senior worship leader for megachurch self-help author and motivational speaker Joel Osteen says that he was not fired after announcing his divorce last month and being photographed this month kissing a woman not his wife. Lakewood has classified the arrangement as “indefinite leave."

As previously reported, on February 22, Houghton, a five-time Grammy Award Gospel singer known for his songs "Friend of God," "Not Forgotten" and "Moving Forward," announced publicly on social media that he and his wife had divorced.

"It is with a collective heavy heart that we announce that after over 20 years of marriage and a long separation, Meleasa and I are officially divorced," he wrote.

Without providing details, Houghton explained that he had "sinned" in his marriage and was unable to fully restore the relationship.

"Several years ago I failed and sinned in my marriage. Though this is new to many, it is not new to us as we have been working through this for over 5 years," he said. "Although we tried, the challenges in our relationship have proven too much to overcome."
Houghton apologized for the hurt that his actions had caused.

"Although I am sincerely sorry, and forgiven, I soberly realize that I will live with the consequences of my failings for the rest of my life," he stated. "As this has become a public matter I want to apologize to the many who have supported my ministry through the years. I'm sorry for the many who will be hurt to learn of my personal failure. I regret any pain or disappointment that this news may cause you."

Earlier this month, Houghton, 44, was spotted in Tulum, Mexico with a woman who is not his wife. Actress Adrienne Bailon, 32, donned a scantily-clad bikini as she and Houghton vacationed together on the beach. The two were photographed embracing and kissing in the water.
Bailon is the former girlfriend of Rob Kardashian, and had been engaged to Lenny Santiago until she ended the relationship in September.

Houghton met Bailon three years ago while working on the film “I’m In Love With a Church Girl,” which he produced.

While Lakewood did not respond to Christian News Network's phone calls, it told a secular outlet this past week that "Lakewood Church released Israel Houghton from his responsibilities as a worship leader [in February] and placed him on indefinite leave. Since that time, he has not been featured in any Lakewood Church related activities." He had served as Osteen's worship leader for 14 years and had also spoken at the podium on several occasions.

On Thursday, Lakewood provided further clarification in a public statement in which it said that while Houghton has indeed been placed on indefinite leave, he has not been fired.

"We can confirm that Israel is on indefinite leave, but it is important to clarify that we still consider Israel to be a part of the Lakewood family and that his employment has not been terminated," it said.

Houghton also Tweeted, "I truly love @joelosteen & my gracious Lakewood family. … I have not been fired."

Houghton has been scrubbed from the Lakewood leadership page. A cached image of the page from late November 2015, one of the last archived images available, shows Houghton still being on staff at that time. His photo and bio were removed at some point between December and this month.

Much concern has been raised over the past decade that the messages at Lakewood are noticeably void of instruction to shun sin and walk in holiness. Osteen's self-help books have included "Your Best Life Now," "Become a Better You," "You Can, You Will" and "It's Your Time."
Osteen's latest book, "The Power of I Am," teaches readers to manifest blessings in their life by making positive confessions about themselves, so that they might "lead a more productive and happier life."

In 2014, Osteen's wife Victoria raised concerns when she preached, "Just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy. When you come to church, when you worship Him, you're not doing it for God really. You're doing it for yourself…"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbZHgGMe31s

http://christiannews.net/2016/03/27/joel-osteens-senior-worship-leader-i-have-not-been-fired-following-divorce-new-girlfriend/

Muafrika2:


The divorce thing in the US is a serious problem. It's as a result of the "civilized" ideologies that are contrary to God.

Breakers of covenants, vows, disobedient and self loving ...

OLAADEGBU:


It is not only in the US, it is also common with some so called men of God in the UK. I learnt that Benny Hinn officiated in the remarriage of the senior pastor of VPA.

analice107:
The body of Christ shd expect more of this in the years to come.

Muafrika2:


These people are practicing a corrupted form of polygamy.




Why?


Though It's even starting to be a norm in Africa.

analice107:

No, that's not what I mean. Maybe am the only one seeing what is being done to Christianity. I feel Christianity is being raped and ravished both within and without. Everuday supposed Christians from no where do things that are damning to the body of Christ. Without the obvious enemies say and do things to weaken the faith. All of these are targeted at the folk of Christ.
Little wonder, Christ says, 'Their hearts shall fall them'. As a result of all these, many shall fall away from the faith.
Here is what I mean, believers should expect more of this attacks against the faith

analice107:


The body of Christ shd expect more of this in the years to come.

OLAADEGBU:


But who do you think is to be blamed, the ministers, tempters/temptresses or the devil?

Muafrika2:


These people are practicing a corrupted form of polygamy.

OLAADEGBU:


The divorce and remarriage practised here is not polygamy the pastor of the growing church I referred to actually divorced his Nigerian wife to marry a Caucasian and many of their members see nothing wrong with it especially when they see Benny Hinn supporting it.

analice107:


The Ministers, because they have failed to teach the people what the people need to resist the tempter.

OLAADEGBU:

That is why it is said that 'a leader's sin is a leading sin'.

Muafrika2:


I sincerely believe that polygamy would be better that this serial marriages. They are worse. Because the divorcees will remarry and divorce again and by the time the cycle is ending, everybody has married everybody. People are just exchanging partners.

OLAADEGBU:


The irony is that the West sees polygamy and bigamy as gross crimes while Africans divorce and remarriage as shameful.

analice107:


Very true sir.

Muafrika2:


That's right, Africans would rather have secret families than divorce

OLAADEGBU:


I wonder whether the reason is because of the fear of being stigmatised?

Muafrika2:


Actually, I think that command to multipy and fill the earth is just more ingrained in men that women.

OLAADEGBU:


That leads to the question: Was Eve's eyes open before Adam ate the forbidden fruit?

Muafrika2:


Now that I think of it. She knew what she was doing.

OLAADEGBU:


Adam was still to be blamed for not calling her to order.

Muafrika2:


He probably was just as curious. Or very supportive.

OLAADEGBU:


Could that be the reason they say 'love is blind'?

Muafrika2:


Or blinding

OLAADEGBU:


Adam was actually morally responsible for this mess. He should have stood his ground instead he started playing the blame game and thus the first world war!

Muafrika2:


Imagine that, He even attempted to blame God...

"...It was the woman that YOU gave me..."

But then again, men had not been given authority over the Woman. Women have always been more mischievous than men.

Even in real life am more worried about female enemies than any male enemies. Dangerous people