Despite offering help as Hurricane Beryl batters Houston, Joel Osteen’s megachurch is coming under fire for not doing enough.
Lakewood Church posted this message online Sunday as Beryl, which came ashore as a Category 1 hurricane but has now been downgraded to a tropical storm, approached Texas.
“We are praying for everyone on the Gulf Coast,” he said. Sunday’s tweet read.
‘Lakewood is working with the Office of Emergency Management and is ready to assist those affected by the storm. Please stay safe!’
But many Houstonians still remember the church’s much-criticized response to Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church holds first services since woman opened fire, wounding her 7-year-old son before being shot herself
Many of the city’s churches opened their doors seven years ago to people in need of shelter after large areas were left underwater by Harvey.
Lakewood, a well-funded 17,000-seat congregation housed in a former basketball arena, appeared to respond only after the criticism began to come in.
Osteen himself is often the target of Internet trolls who criticize him for his lavish lifestyle.
The 61-year-old pastor-turned-pastor’s son is worth at least $50 million.
He owns two homes in the Lone Star State valued at $10.5 million and $2.9 million.
His Houston estate, valued at $10.5 million, includes a swimming pool, a pool house and three elevators.
The church receives millions in donations from parishioners and followers around the world and operates on an annual budget of about $70 million.
In 2017, Osteen came under fire for failing to immediately convert his 16,000-seat megachurch into a shelter during Hurricane Harvey.
Osteen’s massive Lakewood Church in Houston
‘Joel Osteen when he hears another hurricane is about to hit Houston,’ one said user postedincluding an image of a closed door secured by at least a dozen locks.
Many other users shared similar memes of someone bricking up their door or pretending they couldn’t hear because they had headphones on.
The criticism this time grew even louder after local hero Mattress Mack, a Houston furniture entrepreneur whose real name is James McIngvale, tweeted his personal cell phone number before Beryl made landfall.
“Gallery Furniture is here for you as Hurricane Beryl approaches. Give us a call if you need us! Mattress Mack cell: 281-844-1963, Gallery Furniture: 713-694-5570. Stay safe, Houston,” she said. tweeted on Sunday.
Commenters on her post showered Mattress Mack with praise, while drawing harsh comparisons to Osteen.
Houstonians praise local businessman Matress Mac for offering shelter and support
By Monday morning, Mack had converted one of his tents into a shelter.
‘GF 6006 N FRWY WILL BE OPEN AS A SHELTER BEGINNING AT 8:00 AM CST ON 8/7/24 IN RESPONSE TO TROPICAL STORM BERYL. SORRY, NO PETS ALLOWED. MORE UPDATES WILL BE COMING SOON,’ Mack’s account announced.