Pastor Joel Osteen runs the Lakewood megachurch in Houston, Texas. The church, being as mega as it is, used to be an indoor sports arena and is capable of holding nearly 17,000 people. Now, I know what you’re thinking! This is exactly what the people of Houston need right now, as they suffer the biggest flood ever to hit their city and thousands have been evacuated, with many more still waiting for help. What better combination than a man who has dedicated his life to doing the work laid forth by his god, and an obvious shelter for so many in need? Obviously, Osteen is going to do everything he can for the community that reportedly donates tens of millions of dollars a year (not to mention those $55 million Osteen’s own book sales). That would be the only Christian thing to do, right?
No, of course that’s not what Osteen did. He sent thoughts & prayers.
Victoria & I are praying for everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey. Please join us as we pray for the safety of our Texas friends & family.
— Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) August 26, 2017
If you’re one of the 30,000 people expected to need shelter in Houston, though, don’t worry. Osteen may not be helping, but he promises “God’s got this.”
There’s a simple phrase you have to get down in your spirit, “God’s got this.”
— Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) August 27, 2017
Unfortunately, that tweet didn’t do much to alleviate the need or suffering of his parishioners and other Texans. Nor did it lessen the anger they’re feeling toward Osteen, who cancelled church services and claimed he couldn’t open his doors because of flooding.
Front of @JoelOsteen's huge Lakewood Church in Houston at 11 am. Closed due to "flooding". Person who took it asked to be anonymous. pic.twitter.com/gOndOncFuC
— Charlotte Clymer ?? (@cmclymer) August 28, 2017
Another eyewitness account from a Houstonian regarding the "flooding" of @JoelOsteen's Lakewood Church. Asked not to be named. pic.twitter.com/Q40nTbP6rR
— Charlotte Clymer ?? (@cmclymer) August 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/Bhadoosky/status/902467497382830080
He later said he would open the church after all other shelters were full.
https://twitter.com/AnastasiaElyseW/status/902347847139418112
Note how he said he'd open his church's doors once shelters were full. Wouldn't want to let the dirty riff-raff mess up his megachurch
— Michael H ? ?? (@SantaFeMichael) August 29, 2017
Not surprisingly, this non-statement did little to win people over.
https://twitter.com/amyharvard_/status/902394584092868609
Meanwhile… Houston's own Mattress King is closer to the image of Jesus than his neighbor Joel Osteen. https://t.co/oewLoMdLND
— Charlotte Clymer ?? (@cmclymer) August 29, 2017
Joel Osteen won't open his church that holds 16,000 to hurricane victims because it only provides shelter from taxes. #HoustonStrong
— Alan Spencer (@MrAlanSpencer) August 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/bkerogers/status/902247522357440512
Dear non-Christians, Joel Osteen is not an example of the rest of us Christians. Sincerely, someone who actually values the Bible.
— Laughlin_James (@James_Lee316) August 29, 2017
https://twitter.com/alfredomorenx/status/902295928173940736
It was Jesus who said:
"Don't open ur church as a shelter, Joel Osteen. Ew those in need ew."
Then he barfed & counted his $$
— Cameron Esposito (@cameronesposito) August 29, 2017
Apparently, all it took for Osteen to finally open Lakewood’s door to those in need was total commitment to the values he’s dedicated his life to preaching a day of public Twitter shaming.
Victoria and I care deeply about our fellow Houstonians. Lakewood’s doors are open and we are receiving anyone who needs shelter.
— Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) August 29, 2017
If you’re looking for ways to be more helpful than Joel Osteen, here are some organizations that can use donations and other forms of aid.
(image: YouTube/Joel Osteen, Twitter)
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