THE WATERS ROSE AND CIVIL WAR II COMMENCED.
Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church Closes Doors to Displaced Harvey Victims
Photo: Lakewood Church
HOUSTON, Texas — Joel Osteen is facing a public relations nightmare as his 17,000-seat facility, Lakewood Church, is keeping doors closed during the overwhelming crisis caused by Hurricane Harvey.
Osteen and his wife, Victoria, are pastors of the non-denominational congregation located in the former Compaq Center. Lakewood Church is situated roughly six miles from downtown Houston and is on Highway 59 which has arteries to and from the Interstate 610 Loop, Interstate 45, and Highway 288.
The Compaq Center was home to the Houston Rockets and hosted other events prior to the campus being acquired by Osteen’s church.
After the tropical storm and hurricane rocked the city on Friday, Osteen tweeted, “Victoria & I are praying for everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey. Please join us as we pray for the safety of our Texas friends & family.”
The response to Osteen’s request to have others join he and his wife in prayer for the flood and hurricane victims was met with instant ridicule and criticism on Twitter. Here are some responses in Twitter Moments linked here.
Even another clergyman, Pastor Greg Locke, tweeted, “Joel Osteen, as a Pastor you have a huge obligation to show the love of Christ at this very moment.”
Joel Osteen, as a Pastor you have a huge obligation to show the love of Christ at this very moment.
OPEN THE DOORS. #HoustonStrong
Melissa G @Isserella tweeted this:
Here is a screenshot of a few other responses to Osteen’s Tweet requesting that others join him and his wife in prayer.
Twitter sensation Terrence Williams @w_Terrence, posted a video Monday evening telling Joel Osteen – “Open your damn doors!” “Making all that damn money, and not opening up those damn doors!” He added, “It’s the people’s money!”
.@JoelOsteen I'm calling you out. Your church is not Flooding let people in! It's GODS HOUSE REMEMBER?
pscp.tv/w/bHNFmjFQbUtx…
The Twitter video sensation told viewers he was from the South and that those in New York, Utah, the East Coast, and the West Coast, and other places in the country did not need to tell him what to say about the church closing its doors. He said people in Houston were dying and needed a place to stay. “This is about southern folks right now!”
Osteen tweeted earlier Monday afternoon, “Our hearts break as we see the damage and destruction in our city. Please join us in helping Houston recover.”
Our hearts break as we see the damage and destruction in our city. Please join us in helping Houston recover. Visit LakewoodChurch.com/Relief
The tweet contains a “Hurricane Relief Update,” and a link with a message that stated:
Dear Lakewood Church family,We want to let you know that our hearts are with each of you and your families during this difficult time. We are praying for you and we are praying for our city, and for all of those affected by the devastating flooding and rains caused by Hurricane Harvey. We love you and we love this city. And we want to help.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 it’s 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.We know the need is great. That much is clear. We do not yet know all the ways we can help. However if you would like to register to volunteer with us, please do so by clicking the link below. Or, if you would like to donate to our relief efforts, please do so here in this page. We are working just as fast as we can on this and will update you with more information as it becomes available.In the meantime, know that our prayers for strength and comfort for each of you will continue, as well as our prayers for God’s help as we navigate the upcoming days and months together.We love you. And we are praying. Together, we will make it through this difficult time.
A Tweet by the pastor eleven hours earlier said, “Jesus promises us peace that passes understanding. That’s peace when it doesn’t make sense.”
On Sunday the Houston pastor Tweeted, “God’s got this.”
Twitter users took photos of the building calling out Osteen and the church showing that it was not flooded, nor was the area around the church apparently affected.
@JoelOsteen howdy neighbor! How come you aren't letting your neighbors take shelter from the storm? Looks pretty unflooded to me
A video posted by a self-proclaimed fan of Osteen’s reveals the roadways in front of the church are open and not flooded. Twitter user Sean Salisbury posted the video on Monday evening at 6:40 CDT.
Just offer shelter and a dry place for those who need you and want to know you care. .@JoelOsteen those who can't get here still need you!
Facebook user Jorge Colmenares posted additional proof of roads to the church being passable.
Those on Twitter also tweeted what are supposed to be photos of Joel Osteen’s mansion in Houston’s River Oaks, a few miles away.
Breitbart Texas has provided continual coverage of the aftermath of the tropical storm and the Category 1-4 hurricane that has spread havoc in Houston and around coastal Texas. Tens of thousands have been displaced from their homes in the Bayou City and at least eight people have died.
Follow complete coverage of Hurricane Harvey and Houston Floods on Breitbart Texas.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with additonal information.
Lana Shadwick is a writer and legal analyst for Breitbart Texas. She has served as a
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4833836/Joel-Osteen-s-church-says-welcome-flood-victims.html#ixzz4rB7vJ06k Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebookprosecutor and associate judge in Texas. Follow her on GAB @lanashadwick and on Twitter @LanaShadwick2.
pastor Joel Osteen's megachurch WASN'T flooded as he FINALLY opens its doors to refugees
- Osteen said on Monday his $7.5m church was 'inaccessible' after floods
- On Tuesday he tweeted it was open again and would 'receive anyone'
- The church released photos at that time showing flooding it said had receded
- But photos and videos taken Monday show the church seemingly fine
- The massive building is above ground level, and its doors are up dozens of stairs
- One video showed the front lobby's plush carpet apparently dry and clean
- On Tuesday afternon, groups of visitors finally arrived by bus at the church
- The floods have left roughly 30,000 displaced to temporary shelters
- Osteen's net worth is estimated to be $40m. His mansion is worth $10.5m
Busloads of Texans arrived at Joel Osteen's 17,000-seat Houston megachurch on Tuesday after he announced that its doors were open following supposed interior flooding that kept stranded people out.
On Monday, Osteen had said in a Facebook post that the church was 'inaccessible' due to flooding.
But now video and photos are emerging that suggest the building had not been inundated with water yesterday, and could have taken in several hundred people.
In one video, posted on Monday night but filmed during daylight, a man is seen walking around the church, noting just a few puddles here and there.
'Looks like you can f**king open up your church right now, Joel,' he says. 'Why don't you go ahead and do it? Because you know what's happening across the freeway?
'People are dying.'
It was unclear where Osteen was on Tuesday; he did not appear to be greeting the busloads of refugees who finally arrived at the church in the afternoon.
Scroll down for video
Pastor Joel Osteen (pictured) has been hit with criticism after he closed his Lakewood church on Monday due to the severe floods that have hit Texas; he says it's now open again
But video shot by two men (left and right) and posted on Monday showed the church's exterior untroubled by flooding. Osteen claimed on Facebook that the church was 'inaccessible'
The clip shows the man - and his friend, Eric, running around the exterior of the building, noting the lack of flooding.
'I don't think any pressview crews could get over here to drop off the victims because the traffic is horrible!' he says sarcastically after Eric points out that the traffic on the adjacent Southwest Freeway is moving fine.
'At least a centimeter of floodwater! This is horrible!' he remarks just before Eric jumps into a couple of shallow puddles.
The pair then walk up the two flights of stairs that lead to the front door of the church, calling out for Osteen.
'Has anyone seen Joel Osteen? He's flooded right now - apparently!' he shouts, before adding to camera: 'I'm tired of people telling me that he's done enough.'
At one point, they notice plush - and seemingly dry - carpets in the lobby of the church: 'Wait, I was told by so many of his followers that he was flooded in! But look at those carpets!'
He continues, mockingly: 'Can you imagine how much money you'd have to spend on those carpets to get them clean? Probably thousands of dollars! I mean, I don't blame the guy...'
During the course of the video, they walk up the two flights of stairs that elevate the front door up from ground level, and note that the interior does not seem flooded at all
The men also note the plush carpet in the lobby of the church, commenting that it might cost Osteen - who is worth an estimated $40 million - 'thousands' of dollars to clean
This aerial view shows both the underground parking garage (right) and the main entrance (left), which is elevated from the road by two flights of stairs
In another video posted Monday, Twitter user Fan_of_fiction responded to a request for proof that Lakewood was flooded with a video showing the opposite.
'It's not flooding outside,' she wrote to accompany the clip, which was shot from the passenger seat of a car driving around the outside of the massive, $7.5 million church.
Although the windows were rain-spattered, the road - which is on a lower level to the church's front door - was clear of water and the church seemed mostly fine.
A watery reflection could be seen on the floor in an underground parking garage entrance below the building, but it's unclear how deep - if at all - the water was.
The road outside the front of the church was fine, and the lights were still on in the building.
The following day - in response to online anger about the enormously wealthy pastor's apparently lack of care for the needy - the church released photos it claimed were of the flooding.
Also on Monday Twitter user @cmclymer posted photo purporting to be of the church's exterior, showing un-flooded exterior parking lot. It said that the multi-level parking garages were not flooded.
On Monday these photos were posted online showing purportedly showing Lakewood Church unbothered by flooding at 2.20pm. It claimed the parking garages were also not flooded
But on Tuesday the church released a selection of photos - including this one of the parking garage - which it claimed proved it had been flooded. But when they were taken was not clear
Those pictures showed what appeared to be substantial flooding in underground and overground parking areas and a flooded corridor - apparently in a basement.
There was also a photo of what looked like a lobby area with puddles on the floors and a deep well of water in the foreground.
However, the foreground area could have been a water feature, as it had what appeared to be spotlamps in it.
It was unclear at what time or on what day the photos were taken.
Along with the photos was a statement that the church would be open only as a 'distribution center' for the time being.
It would not accept refugees until other centers were at capacity, the statement said - but Osteen contradicted that on Twitter soon after.
'Victoria and I care deeply about our fellow Houstonians,' he tweeted. 'Lakewood's doors are open and we are receiving anyone who needs shelter.'
The church released these photos purportedly showing flooding indoors and outdoors, although it said the waters have since receded. It's not clear when the pictures were taken
This photo shows flooding in the church - although the area in the foreground looks like a water feature, the background shows the floor slick with water
Osteen's church was initially only going to accept people once other shelters were full, a spokesman said. But now the televangelist says it's 'receiving anyone who needs shelter'
But away from the president's feed, the tone on the rest of Twitter regarding Osteen and Lakewood was less positive.
A hashtag trend started under his name as people began mocking him for what they saw a man who was happy to use Jesus to take money, but less happy to follow his teachings.
'Never forget,' wrote Jay Dav-O, 'It took a public shaming for a man who preached Christianity to behave like a Christian.'
Sylus Rothchild went Old Testament on Otseen's behind, writing 'You're like Noah, if he said to the animals, "Hope you can float."'
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'Ironic that @JoelOsteen's religious empire is crumbling due to a biblical sized flood,' wrote another man named Joel.
'Houston Mosques open their doors to #HarveyVictims w/o having 2 been shamed n2 it like #JoelOsteen,' tweeted a user named Beth. 'Muslims more Christlike today than a Christian!'
Osteen seemed displeased by the responses and began blocking those who mentioned him, including one man who politely invited him to 'be your best self.'
But there were positive results noted, too. One user who had been putting the pressure on Osteen noted that 'countless' air mattresses had been inflated in the church's halls - and posted a picture to go with it.
Several users took to Twitter after Osteen promised to open up his church, shaming him for what they saw as reticence to do his Christian duty
This user went Old Testament on Osteen's behind, with Noah and flood imagery being common among the online mockery
This user suggested that Osteen's career as a professional televangelist would have trouble in the wake of his delayed welcoming in of flooding victims
This user said that the Muslims across Houston who were helping out the stranded were more Christian than Osteen
JPM took Osteen to task over his wealth; the televangelist has a personal worth of $40 million; his house cost $10.5 million, and the church itself more than $7 million
Osteen began blocking people who he thought were attacking him - including this man who politely said 'I'm not going to be snarky or biting... I'm just saying: Now is an excellent time to be your best self'
But there were some positive tweets. This user had been pressuring Osteen's church since Tuesday, but noted that air mattresses were being inflated inside
Earlier on Tuesday, church spokesman and Osteen's father-in-law, Donald Iloff, told CNN: 'We have never closed our doors. We will continue to be a distribution center for those in need.'
However, he said that the church would not be taking in people seeking shelter until other places were full up.
'We are prepared to shelter people once the cities and county shelters reach capacity,' Iloff said.
'Lakewood will be a value to the community in the aftermath of this storm in helping our fellow citizens rebuild their lives.'
On Monday the church posted an official statement on Facebook saying that that Lakewood was 'inaccessible due to severe flooding' but a spokesman later said 'never closed its doors'
Osteen is worth an estimated $40 million - and his sprawling mansion (pictured) in River Oaks, Fort Worth is worth $10.5 million
Iloff said that at least three people went to the church before they were taken to the George Brown Convention Center.
He also released photos of the church during the flooding, including corridors knee-deep in water and a water-slick lobby.
Iloff said that those waters had already receded, however, and that it would be open around noon. He said it would also act as a donation center.
He said at least several hundred people could be housed on the building's second floor.
On Monday the official Lakewood Church Facebook page said that the church was 'inaccessible due to severe flooding.'
Osteen's Lakewood church has around 17,000 seats, and is used as a base for his TV sermons to around 25,000 people
The post began with: 'Our hearts are breaking as we see the images of the damage and destruction in our city and the surrounding areas from Hurricane Harvey.
'We are praying for everyone’s safety in Houston and Texas. As a community we can help each other get through this storm.
'We appreciate your prayers, both for our city and for Lakewood Church. We are working diligently with the city of Houston to mobilize our many volunteers at shelters around the city as well as various other points of need in and around the Houston area.'
His remarks on social media weren't well received by users who blasted him on Monday for merely sending out prayers and thoughts rather than offering to donate money.
'You have taken so much money away from your people to live like a king,' entertainment publicist Danny Deraney said. 'It’s the least you could do.'
Osteen also tried to raise funds for the church, although he then received a backlash from people who said he wasn't putting enough of his own $56.5 million net worth into helping
The famous pastor had come under fire on Monday after the church said floods had made it 'inaccessible' - although it later released contradictory reports saying it was open that day
A Twitter user named Phillip Harris was equally disappointed with Osteen on Monday, as reports that the massive church wasn't opening continued to circulate
Writer and reporter Eoin Higgins wrote on Twitter: 'Nice of @JoelOsteen to open his 16,000 seat mega church in Houston to floor victims. Lol jk he's not doing that.'
Social media users also complained that the pastor - who has an estimated net worth north of $50 million - could help by allowing thousands to shelter in his church.
Those complaints came before the photos of the flooded areas were made public.
The storm and ensuing flooding have left at least 300,000 people without power and roughly 30,000 displaced to temporary shelters.
A Twitter user called Phillip Harris said: 'Where's Joel Osteen? His church in Houston holds 16,800, and he has plenty of money. Open the doors and help people! Well, guess not eh!'
Pastor Greg Locke reached out on Twitter also as he said: 'Joel Osteen, as a Pastor you have a huge obligation to show the love of Christ at this very moment. OPEN THE DOORS. #HoustonStrong.'
Mrs. Betty Bowers didn't hold back on social media either. She tweeted: 'A message of Christian love to all those without shelter in Houston right now who seek refuge in Joel Osteen’s 16,800-seat Lakewood church.'
Some say the Pastor - who has an estimated net worth north of $50 million - could help because his megachurch being able to shelter thousands of people
Hurricane Harvey has dumped over 30 inches of rain throughout parts of southeast Texas since it made landfall Friday evening
People continued to mock the famed Pastor with one user writing: 'Oh, thank you, sweet, merciful lord for sparing Joel Osteen's 16,000 seat Lakewood Church. Now, if only it had opened its doors to the needy.'
After the backlash, Lakewood Church then said it was becoming a collection site.
A statement read: 'Coordinating with the city, Lakewood is a collection site for distributing supplies to the Houston area shelters.
'Beginning at 12 Noon tomorrow we are collecting infant and adult diapers, baby formula and baby food.
'Help us help others. Please bring these items to Lakewood Church, Circle Drive off Timmons St.'
ABC reports that Kevin Hart has donated $25,000 to the Red Cross, while also challenging some of his Hollywood peers to donate money.
Dozens of Houston-area churches, schools and community centers have opened their doors to offer temporary shelter to survivors
The storm and ensuing flooding have left at least 300,000 people without power and roughly 30,000 displaced to temporary shelters
He took to Instagram to post a video which he captioned: 'I'm calling this the Hurricane Harvey Relief Challenge....
'Lets go @therock @beyonce @chrisrock Jay Z Dave Chappelle @jerryseinfeld @iamsteveharveytv @justintimberlake #HurricaneHarveyReliefChallenge #prayforhouston .....I am getting a link together now people. Help me help Houston,' he wrote.
Additionally, Houston Texans star JJ Watt, posted a link to YouCaring.com for donations to help.
On Monday, he said fundraising had hit $500,000 within the first day. His goal is now to raise $1 million.
Read more:
- Joel Osteen's Houston Megachurch Blasted For Closing As Thousands Are Displaced | HuffPost
- Kevin Hart, JJ Watt raise thousands of dollars to help Hurricane Harvey victims - ABC News
- Joel Osteen church spokesman: 'We have never closed our doors' - CNN
- Taylor on Twitter: "@sunkist111 @cmclymer This dude is awesome https://t.co/Xc99d2ajNt"
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4833836/Joel-Osteen-s-church-says-welcome-flood-victims.html#ixzz4rB7vJ06k Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebookprosecutor and associate judge in Texas. Follow her on GAB @lanashadwick and on Twitter @LanaShadwick2.
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