Tweets from Osteen, the church and the city of Houston all confirm that the church is open to those needing shelter. The claim that megachurch pastor Joel Osteen is not allowing Texans without heat and power to shelter in his Lakewood Church in Houston is FALSE, based on our research. Osteen refuted the claims that he turned away flooding victims and said that "the church has always been open" and that "we received shelter victims in the first day or two." He added that the church initially flooded and could not immediately open its doors.įact check: No, Joel Osteen’s megachurch isn’t charging for online prayer requests Our rating: False In 2017, Osteen came under fire when the church posted a notice saying the building was closed due to "severe flooding" following Hurricane Harvey, USA TODAY reported. This is not the first time social media users have criticized the pastor for allegedly keeping his church shut. Osteen faced backlash in December when it was reported that Lakewood Church received a $4.4 million PPP loan.įact check: Meme of wind turbine being de-iced includes 2015 image from Sweden Hurricane Harvey The church now draws more than 45,000 weekly attendees. Lakewood Church was formerly the home of the NBA's Houston Rockets. The city of Houston also shared on Twitter that the Lakewood Church is open as a center for those needing a warm place. "We have beds, blankets, a hot meal and supplies for those in need. Staff & volunteers are on site ready to help," Osteen tweeted on Feb. Hundreds arrived last night & more today due to power outages. "If you need a warm place to stay, Lakewood is open. Lakewood Church is providing beds, blankets and other needed supplies, and church officials said no one will be turned away, Click2Houston reported. Lakewood Church has had as many as 300 people coming in and out of the building, including those who are homeless and families who are looking to escape the cold, according to the Houston Chronicle.Ĭhurch staff are screening attendees for COVID-19 symptoms, as well as requiring masks and maintaining proper social distancing. Osteen did not close the doors of his Lakewood Church it has remained open to assist those without power and shelter, according to local media reports. USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook users for comment.įact check: Viral statement claiming to come from Texas power company is fake Lakewood Church is open "While Texans need heat, food, and shelter, Joel Osteen's church remains closed.just like it did during and after Hurricane Harvey," reads a text post. Some users pointed to Hurricane Harvey in 2017, when Osteen was similarly accused of refusing to immediately accept evacuees at his church. In a similar version of the claim, which has over 400 shares, a user alleged that Osteen received $4.4 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans but did not open his church in Texas to "shelter people freezing to death at his door." Accompanying the post is an image of Osteen's Lakewood Church, which seats thousands of worshippers. 16 Facebook post, a user wrote, "In Houston, megapastor Joel Osteen not opening his 18,000 seat arena to the freezing homeless." Some versions of that post misspell his name as "Olsteen." Watch Video: Houston megachurch becomes flood shelter The claim: Joel Osteen closed his Lakewood Church to those suffering from cold weather and power outages in Texasįamed Pastor Joel Osteen is facing criticism on social media for purportedly closing the doors of his Lakewood Church in Houston and not offering shelter to those who are dealing with freezing temperatures and rolling blackouts.
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