After being slammed on social media, pastor opens megachurch to Harvey victims
A famous Houston pastor faced strong criticism on allegations that he failed to open the doors of his megachurch to the flood victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Pastor Joel Osteen, of Lakewood Church in Houston, is known nationwide for his televised sermons that are broadcast in more than 100 countries.
As of Tuesday morning, however, he was the face of a church that had not opened its doors to victims who have been flooded out from their homes in Houston, according to multiple reports. The 16,000-seat former arena served as the home of the NBA's Houston Rockets from 1975 to 2003.
By midday Tuesday, Osteen tweeted that his church “doors are open and we are receiving anyone who needs shelter.”
Victoria and I care deeply about our fellow Houstonians. Lakewood’s doors are open and we are receiving anyone who needs shelter.
— Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) August 29, 2017
The criticism came after Osteen called for prayers for everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey on Twitter, and angry users flooded his response.
Are you goin to give the needy flood victims any shelter in your giant church?
— Brian Ray (@brianrayguitar) August 28, 2017
Hey Joel, don't you have the biggest and richest church? Why don't you open up the doors and the wallet in the name of Jesus for the people!
— Mozez713 (@Mozez713) August 28, 2017
Through the church’s Facebook account, a message was posted that said Lakewood Church was inaccessible because of the severe flooding in Houston. The post included a list of nine shelters open in the Houston area.
Another Twitter user, however, posted a video in which he sarcastically highlighted how he was able to reach the church and how it was not under water.
— RicKitty (@Rick_Kitty) August 28, 2017
Don Iloff, spokesperson for Lakewood, told the Houston Chronicle on Monday that the church has never been closed during Harvey.
In a statement to ABC News, Osteen said the church “will continue to be a distribution center for those in need” and is “prepared to house people once shelters reach capacity.”
By Monday night, Twitter user Charles Clymer claimed victory over the issue. He posted an image of what appeared to be the inside of the church with “countless air mattresses.”
Lakewood’s doors are open to anyone needing shelter. We are also looking for volunteers and collecting shelter supplies.
— Lakewood Church (@lakewoodch) August 29, 2017
The Houston Chronicle reported Iloff could not confirm if the mattresses belonged to the church but said Lakewood was preparing to host people displaced by Harvey. The church expected to open its doors on Tuesday by noon to collect donations, the paper reported.
This story was originally published August 29, 2017 at 7:02 AM with the headline "After being slammed on social media, pastor opens megachurch to Harvey victims."