Televangelist Joel Osteen was harshly criticized on social media when initial reports held that his Lakewood Church, a 16,800-seat arena in Houston, Texas, was turning away those in need as Harvey swamps the city. It was revealed on social media tuesday afternoon that there was no flooding at or near osteen's lakewood church.
There's no flooding outside Joel Osteen Lakewood Church. pic.twitter.com/MW6xxFAOcN— IShitzuNot (@llgwat) August 29, 2017
Thank you .@JoelOsteen for opening up them doors. I knew your church was not flooded to where you couldn't shelter people. pic.twitter.com/Ca6IHETYT0— Terrence Williams (@w_terrence) August 29, 2017
In response, Osteen released the following statement to ABC News:
"We have never closed our doors. We will continue to be a distribution center for those in need. We are prepared to house people once shelters reach capacity. Lakewood will be a value to the community in the aftermath of this storm in helping our fellow citizens rebuild their lives."
Followers of Lakewood and Osteen began their own initiative to prove the inside of the church had experienced flooding:
Seriously quite sickening when people spread negative news without knowing the situation. This is the situation of our church @lakewoodch pic.twitter.com/0KKBmu6hW8— Lynne Gabriel-Caine (@heyitslynneg) August 28, 2017
Osteen's comforting words didn't sit well with critics, who want to know why the doors to his 16-800 seat arena at his lakewood church near downtown Houston were closed.
''You have taken so much money away from your people to live like a king' entertainment publicist Danny Daraney blasted. It's the least you could do.''
It appears that the church is preparing to accept Harvey victims as other shelters reach capacity.
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