Backtracking! Joel Osteen Now Opening Doors For Harvey Disaster Victims
Aug. 29 2017, Published 6:20 p.m. ET
After celebrity Pastor Joel Osteen received backlash over his allegedly false claims his church was closed due to flooding, the doors to Lakewood are now open for victims of hurricane Harvey, Radaronline.com has learned.
"They are starting to receive people and there was a drop off for supplies, baby food and baby formula," local resident Chuck Cumberland exclusively told Radar.
Osteen released a statement on Twitter Tuesday: "Victoria and I care deeply about our fellow Houstonians. Lakewood’s doors are open and we are receiving anyone who needs shelter."
The backlash began after Lakewood Church's Twitter account released a list of resources for storm victims, and local residents began to wonder why the church that can house 17,000 people was not on the list.
On Monday night, the church was seen getting ready for those affected by the storm by purchasing several air mattresses. Osteen released a statement that he was "prepared to house people once shelters reached capacity."
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Meanwhile, 6,000 evacuees found shelter in the George R. Brown convention center, six miles away from the church and 1,000 past its stated capacity.
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