After receiving heavy criticism for keeping its doors closed while thousands remained without shelter, Pastor Joel Osteen’s Houston megachurch will open its doors on Tuesday to residents who have been displaced by the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey.
“We have never closed our doors. We will continue to be a distribution center for those in need,” reads a statement by church spokesman and Osteen’s father-in-law Donald Iloff from Monday, according to CNN.
On Monday, multiple outlets reported that the church, which seats 16,800 people, remained closed due to flooding conditions that made it “inaccessible,” according to Lakewood Facebook post.
By Tuesday, the church was prepared to open its doors.
“We are prepared to shelter people once the cities and county shelters reach capacity. Lakewood will be a value to the community in the aftermath of this storm in helping our fellow citizens rebuild their lives,” Iloff told CNN.
The statement indicated the church won’t house anyone until “cities and county shelters reach capacity,” which resulted in even more backlash.
https://twitter.com/Meeposh21/status/902368230710272002
https://twitter.com/SheRa1145/status/902367799741472769
https://twitter.com/Somoca/status/902409081406857216
Later Tuesday morning, the church tweeted that they had started “receiving people who need shelter”:
Lakewood is receiving people who need shelter. We are also coordinating with the city as a collection site for distribution.
— Lakewood Church (@lakewoodchurch) August 29, 2017
Harvey has wreaked havoc on Texas since making landfall on Friday night, leaving many without power and thousands displaced to temporary shelters. Osteen’s Lakewood Church, a 16,800-seat indoor arena, announced on Facebook on Sunday that it wasn’t able to house anyone in need because it was “inaccessible due to severe flooding.” Many criticized the decision and questioned if the church remained inaccessible
“Why isn’t Joel Osteen mega church in Houston Texas is not open to the public in need of shelter, food and protection?” one person asked on Twitter.
“You know who hasn’t opened his enormous, tax-exempt mega-church as a shelter? Joel Osteen. About all those tax-free millions, Joel…” said another.
According to freelance reporter Ruth Graham, one Lakewood representative said the church wasn’t flooded, but “would be difficult for most people to access due to nearby flooding.”
Social media pressure to open the church mounted on Monday. Announcing it would open its doors on Tuesday, the church provided photos of the standing water in their hallways and the parking lot to CNN, with Ilof adding that “the area around the church flooded on Monday” and “at least three people came to the church for help before they were taken to the George Brown Convention Center.”
A Lakewood representative told CNN that “the water has already receded” from inside the church.
In the past, Osteen’s megachurch has aided in relief efforts for the city by hosting benefit concerts and/or sheltering displaced Texans. Hopefully, they will show the same kindness to residents this time around.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/joel-osteen-apos-houston-megachurch-143111959.html
Osteen sure wiggled out of that in a hurry, he paid an attorney $1000.00 to write that.
From Google: “As of 2012, Osteen’s net worth is reportedly $56,508,500. He lives with his family in a $10,500,000 home.”
And that was 6 years ago. Really doin’ the work of the Lord, eh?
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When they reach capacity?!?! They were OVER Capacity YESTERDAY!!!
Shelter at GRB over capacity with more than 9,000 evacuees
http://abc13.com/shelter-at-grb-over-capacity-with-9000-+-evacuees-/2353319/
9,000 Harvey Evacuees Seek Refuge At Houston’s Convention Center, Which Had Capacity for 5,000
https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/houston-convention-center-hundreds-refuge-harvey
North Texas Opening Shelters For Harvey Evacuees
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/08/28/north-texas-opening-shelters-for-harvey-evacuees/
Jewl Osteen: “Welcome welcome, tithe to the left please. Anything you have. A few dollar bills, spare pocket change, perhaps a re-saleable flashlight or other equipment.
Welcome welcome, tithe to the left please. Anything you have. Pocket knives, battery powered radios…say, that’s a lovely tent. Brand knew is it? Just place it on the tithe table.
Welcome welcome, tithe to the left please. Is that a gold filling in your tooth? Hold still now. Hold still. I SAID HOLD STILL!!!”
Don’t you just love prosperity gospel preachers? Heck, if this happened in San Antonio, even Hagee would open his Cornerstone church when it first happened! As long as anyone taking refuge there pledged allegiance to Israel, that is… 😉
Well thats mighty white of him.
Only caveat though…, is they to have hip boots to wade thru his bllsht in the parking lot before they can come inside.
“Why isn’t Joel Osteen mega church in Houston Texas is not open to the public in need of shelter, food and protection?” one person asked on Twitter.”
No mammon in it.
Yes, Virginia… people really ARE that gullible.