Following claims that televangelist, Joel Osteen refused to open the doors of his Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas to victims of Hurricane Harvey, Jo
Following claims that televangelist, Joel Osteen refused to open the doors of his Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas to victims of Hurricane Harvey, Joel Osteen has now tried to set the record straight.
Don Iloff, spokesperson for Lakewood Church said the church has never been closed during the flood and staff was instructed to aid anyone who came to their doors looking for help.
“It’s not our unwillingness, it’s just practicality. It’s been a safety issue for us,” Iloff said, adding that Hurricane Harvey’s heavy rainfall almost spilled over the church’s floodgate this past weekend.
“The church will be open Tuesday at noon to collect baby food, baby formula, baby diapers, and adult diapers on behalf of the city. Lakewood was in communication with the city today and said it would shelter Harvey victims once other shelters are full, Iloff said.
Lakewood Church, Joel and Victoria Osteen all tweeted to raise money toward Samaritan’s Purse, an organization that raises funds to help communities in natural disasters like Harvey, but no word on whether they would open the church’s doors. On the Lakewood Church website, a post was shared to promote the fundraising effort, saying in part:
“Over the last couple of days, as the enormity of this storm was being realized, we have been working to organize relief efforts for the Houston area with our friend Franklin Graham and the disaster relief organization that he oversees, Samaritan’s Purse. Samaritan’s Purse has been, since its inception, organized to respond to situations just like Hurricane Harvey, and we are grateful to be able to partner with them to provide assistance to the Houston area.”
On Monday, Joel Osteen whose church used to be an NBA stadium was pelted with criticism when his 17,000 seater church remained closed. As the displaced population hit 30,000 and city officials searched for facilities to house the homeless, Osteen reportedly told detractors his Lakewood Church was unreachable due to floods.
Some members of the church however allegedly posted pictures supposedly from inside the church that showed extensive water damage, but it didn’t help quell the online outrage.
Lakewood church, Houston, Texas
Pictures of some parts of the church affected by flood
