Joel Osteen’s
Lakewood Church recently placed worship minister and famous
gospel singer Israel Houghton on indefinite
leave.
Christian Today reports that Lakewood made
the decision to place Houghton on leave after
Houghton got divorced and began dating
former Cheetah Girl Adrienne Bailon.
“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,” a
spokesperson for Lakewood told Radar Online on Wednesday.
“Lakewood Church is not at liberty to discuss
publicly any details regarding Israel’s personal
situation, but stands ready to provide Israel
with spiritual counselling and guidance should
he choose to seek it,” the church continued.
After 20 years of marriage, Houghton ended
his relationship with wife Maleasa. He and new
girlfriend Bailon recently made their
relationship public. They also went on a trip to
Tulum, Mexico.
Houghton said that Bailon did not play a role in
his divorce.
“In the midst of all that’s going on in the
world… Suffering, terrorism, deciding a future
for our country, and making the world safer; It
is sad that I am even having to address this
matter,” he wrote on Facebook.
“I met Adrienne Bailon a bit over 2 years ago,”
he said. “As two single adults we have very
recently begun to explore a dating
relationship.”Houghton had been the worship minister at
Lakewood for five years.
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