Singer Israel Houghton Suspended from Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church after Divorce
- Veronica Olson Neffinger Content Editor
- Updated Mar 24, 2016
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.
Publication date: March 24, 2016
