Six charged with criminal trespass in Lakewood incident

Richard Trudeau, 32, was one of six people arrested Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Lakewood Church in southwest Houston after allegedly trespassing and disrupting a church service, according to police. Richard Trudeau, 32, was one of six people arrested Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Lakewood Church in southwest Houston after allegedly trespassing and disrupting a church service, according to police. Photo: Houston Police Photo: Houston Police Image 1 of / 41 Caption Close Six charged with criminal trespass in Lakewood incident 1 / 41 Back to Gallery

Six members of an East Texas "revivalist" Christian group have been charged with criminal trespass after allegedly disrupting Sunday morning services at Lakewood Church.

Lakewood spokesman Donald Iloff said the men, identified as members of Church of Wells, began shouting as Pastor Joel Osteen began preaching his 11 a.m. sermon. The men were escorted from the sanctuary by church ushers and arrested. Police said criminal trespass is a Class B misdemeanor offense.

"They came out screaming scriptures," Iloff said, who said the group "goes after churches they don't agree with."

Iloff said members of the group entered the church about a month ago, raised a disturbance and were asked to leave."

In its manifesto, the group, which consists of about 70 members and based in the town of Wells, near Nacogdoches, accuse the "brethren of our lord" with "committing themselves in unholy unions with infidels." The manifesto also says that "the table of the Lord is turned into the table of devils and the temple of God into a house of idols ... there is more leaven in the church that there is sincerity." The faithful, the church asserts, "are scattered upon the desolate hills of hopelessness as sheep without a shepherd."

Iloff noted that Lakewood Church, which claims the nation's largest Protestant congregation, occasionally is targeted by protesters. "It's because we have a high profile," he said.

Named in the complaints were Jacob Gardner, 26; Kevin Fessler, 27; Mark DeRouville, 25; Matthew Martinez, 27; Randall Valdez, 28; and Richard Trudeau, 32.

Inquiries emailed to the Church of Wells did not receive an immediate response.

Gardner is identified on the group's website as one of the church elders.

William Martin, a senior fellow in religion and public policy at Rice University's Baker Institute, said he does not know much about the Church of Wells, but they appear to be a small, insular and extreme religious group.

"They appear to believe they are the only people acceptable to God," he said.

Martin said it's difficult to pinpoint exactly why Church of Wells members felt compelled to make their presence known at Lakewood on Sunday. He noted that Osteen's preaching is largely accepting, with a more optimistic interpretation of biblical doctrine, concerned with how individuals can live well.

"It is possible that this group is saying, 'Well, that's the exact opposite of what we preach, so let's go into the lion's den and voice our criticism,' " he said.

City officials with Wells, with a population of close to 800, declined to comment about the church.

The incident at Lakewood marks the latest instance in which of Church of Wells members have made headlines.

Controversy surrounded the church when the parents of 28-year-old Catherine Grove claimed the organization was brainwashing her. According to published reports, she left the University of Arkansas in 2013 to join the church. She was later reunited with her family after calling 911 for help, but 12 days later, she returned, announcing she was engaged to another member. She later released a video statement claiming she did not want to permanently be back with her family, but only wanted to speak with them about the engagement.

The church also made headlines in 2012 when a member couple allegedly prayed over their dying newborn daughter instead of calling 911, according to news reports.