Faithwire
  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • News
  • Politics
  • Coronavirus Updates
  • Faith
  • Opinion
  • Christmas
  • Set Free Course

Hundreds of Nonviolent Offenders Just Flooded to Pastor Joel Osteen’s Church in Search of a Second Chance

Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Share Tweet
By Billy Hallowell
Editor

April 26, 2017

Hundreds of nonviolent offenders flooded to famed pastor Joel Osteen’s church over the weekend in search of a second chance.

The “Make It Right!” event was held at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, with 5,000 people being invited to come and settle pending legal charges waged against them; 400 people reportedly took officials up on that offer.

The effort not only allowed people who have nonviolent and low-level charges against them in two precincts in Harris County to get those legal debts settled — offenses such as public intoxication, theft of under $100, criminal mischief and other infractions — but members of the public were also invited for free legal advice on issues including immigration and child support, KTRK-TV reported.

READ: Bizarre Bill Nye Clip Featuring Talking Ice Cream Cones Appears to Make Fun of the Traditional Christian Stance on Sexuality

Osteen’s church agreed to host the event after a request from Harris County Commissioners and the local district attorney’s office, with Lakewood Church’s general counsel Regan Vansteenis saying that the house of worship agreed to do so because it believes “in second chances,” the Christian Post reported.

“The event offered attendees an alternative to appearing in court for low-level, nonviolent misdemeanor offenses,” Vansteenis told the outlet. “The event also offered a legal resource clinic with a team of volunteer attorneys and members from the Harris County Public Defender’s Office offering free legal advice to the attendees.”

There was also a resource fair that offered educational options as well as job training information. And with that in mind, Harris County’s Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Elli echoed Vansteenis’ sentiments about the importance of the event.

“This is a great opportunity for thousands of people to resolve their outstanding warrants and make a new start,” Rodney Elli, Harris County’s Precinct 1 Commissioner, said in a statement. “This event also benefits law enforcement agencies by allowing them to clear warrants without the expense and risks involved in arresting people on minor offenses.”

—

Other Must Read Stories:

– Evangelicals and Pentecostals Are More Prone to Persecution Than Are Other Christians — Here’s Why

– Bizarre Bill Nye Clip Featuring Talking Ice Cream Cones Appears to Make Fun of the Traditional Christian Stance on Sexuality

– How Much of the Bible Have You Read? Here’s How You Stack Up…

– Employee’s Powerful Encounter With Grieving Couple Shows Why Hobby Lobby’s Core Values Matter

– Ann Coulter Fiasco Intensifies as Conservative Students File Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Berkeley

Latest

  • News

    Miraculous, Heart-Pumping Video Shows Drowning Boy Submerged in Pool For More Than 3 Minutes Saved by Hero Neighbor

  • News

    ‘My Heart Is Grieved’: Josh Duggar’s Brother Speaks Out After Sibling’s Sentencing, Says He ‘Doubtlessly Defamed’ God

  • Faith

    Francis Chan Hits Back at Infamous ‘My Body, My Choice’ Slogan With Powerful Biblical Truth: ‘Nothing Is Yours’

  • Faith

    ‘I Saw Blood Coming Out of My Eyes’: Greg Laurie Recounts Alice Cooper’s Incredible Transformation From Drugs to Jesus

  • Faith

    Benham Brothers: Culture Needs Jesus, Not More ‘Gun Laws’ in Wake of Texas School Shooting


Navigation

  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Staff
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Sign up to get our newsletter your inbox every day.

Newsletter Signup

Do you want to read
more articles like this?