Houston Pastor responds to Harvey criticism: ‘We have never closed our doors’ [Updated]
Lakewood Church received backlash as people claimed its leader refused to help flood victims by using the building as a shelter. So far, the church’s response hasn’t stopped the PR heat.
Lakewood Church, the Houston megachurch that pastor and best-selling author Joel Osteen calls home, responded this week to accusations that it closed its doors to Hurricane Harvey flood victims.
The trouble started when the church, which boasts a capacity of around 16,000, posted this message to its Facebook page:
Even though the church said it was “inaccessible due to severe flooding,” that didn’t stop many from criticizing the organization and its pastor:
Shame on Joel Osteen. Jesus would open the doors and care for the needy. What a disgrace to #houston and #LakewoodChurch!
— Rune (@RuneK_15) August 29, 2017
Joel Osteen has a HUGE church in Houston that would make a great shelter. pic.twitter.com/byqHxXrHQn
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
