Dr. Conrad Murray, the man at the center of the Michael Jackson death investigation, went home to Houston, Texas to worship with his friends on Sunday.

“I am taking my life back, step by step, and I wanted to come home,” said Murray.

The members of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in northwest Houston stood and cheered on the troubled physician.

He sat with a body guard and never removed his sunglasses. Though he declined to answer questions, he stood up and addressed the members of the church.

“All of the members of Galilee, all of my friends, I know what trouble is,” said Murray.

He never spoke specifically about Jackson, but he did bring up his legal problems.

“I, with my compassion, was only trying to help my fellow man, but it appears I was at the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Murray. “I am back to serve. It isn’t easy for me. Mentally, it’s tough.”

After the service, he posed for pictures and hugged old friends. Those who know him said they appreciated his comments.

“It made me see him in a different light,” said member Robin Watson. “I had seen him on television, but to see him now and to hear him pour his heart out — I felt he was being sincere.”

Ed Chernoff, a lawyer representing Murray, said the doctor is returning to work at his clinic in the Acres Homes area, Armstrong Medical Clinic, and issued the following statement:

“Because of a deteriorating financial condition and prompting by many of his beloved patients, on Nov. 20, 2009, Dr. Conrad Murray resumed his cardiology practice in Houston, Texas. Dr. Murray plans to attend to patients in both Las Vegas and Houston. His decision to first return to practice in Houston was made because of the greater need these low-income patients have for his services and the prohibitive cost of reopening his clinic in Las Vegas.”