After harsh criticism especially on social media which has left him trending for the past two days, Pastor and Televangelist Joel Osteen has finally opened his Houston megachurch to those seeking shelter from Hurricane Harvey.
The millionaire Pastor who is said to be worth at least $50 million finally opened his Church after social media critics dragged him for his insensitivity towards victims of the Hurricane.
Lakewood Church, a 16,000-seat former arena that was the longtime home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, announced on Twitter that it was receiving people who need shelter late Tuesday morning. Osteen announced the move himself shortly after, adding in a tweet that he and wife Victoria Osteen “care deeply about our fellow Houstonians.”
The church didn’t respond to a request for comment Tuesday, but the move followed a day of online criticism from those who claimed the church closed its doors while other places of worship, including several mosques, opened theirs to people who needed help.
The storm and ensuing flooding have left at least 300,000 people without power and roughly 30,000 displaced to temporary shelters.
In a statement to ABC News on Monday Osteen said the church “never closed its doors” and was serving as a relief supply distribution center. He said it would “house people once shelters reach capacity.”
Lakewood Church apparently bought countless air mattresses and are prepping to open their doors. Took a while but good news.#JoelOsteen pic.twitter.com/MYXf1HqAbF
— Charles Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) August 29, 2017
Osteen’s comment stood in contrast to a church Facebook post and a since-deleted Instagram remark by Lakewood associate pastor John Gray, who said flooded highways had made the church inaccessible.
“For the people spreading lies about my church. If WE could get there WE WOULD OPEN THE DOORS,” Gray’s comment read. “As soon as the highways aren’t flooded please know @lakewoodchurch will do all they can alleviate the pain and suffering of as many people as possible. Love y’all! #CantStandLiars.”
Photo and videos posted to social media appeared to show at least some parts of the church’s property could be reached Monday. Lakewood shared its own photos with media outlets that it said depicted flooding inside and around the church.
Lakewood Church served as a shelter for about 5,000 people displaced during Tropical Storm Allison at its previous home in 2001, when more than 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain were dumped on the city. It moved to the arena formerly known as The Summit and the Compaq Center in 2005.
