Despite offering to help when Hurricane Beryl ravaged Houston, Joel Osteen’s megachurch is being criticized for not doing enough.
Lakewood Church posted this message online Sunday as Beryl, which made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane but has since been downgraded to a tropical storm, approached Texas.
“We are praying for everyone on the Gulf Coast,” the Sunday tweet read.
“Lakewood is working with the Office of Emergency Management and stands ready to assist those impacted by the storm. Please stay safe!”
But many Houstonians still remember the church’s heavily criticized response to Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church holds first service since woman opened fire, wounding her 7-year-old child before being shot
Many churches in the city opened their doors to people in need of shelter seven years ago after large areas were flooded with feet of water due to Harvey.
Lakewood, a well-funded 17,000-seat community housed in a former basketball stadium, only appeared to respond after criticism came in.
Osteen himself is often the target of internet trolls who harass him because of his extravagant lifestyle.
The 61-year-old son of the pastor became a pastor with a fortune of at least $50 million.
He owns two homes in the Lone Star State, valued at $10.5 million and $2.9 million respectively.
His $10.5 million Houston estate includes a swimming pool, pool house and three elevators.
The church receives millions in donations from churchgoers and followers around the world and has an annual budget of approximately $70 million.
In 2017, Osteen was criticized for not immediately converting his 16,000-seat megachurch into a shelter during Hurricane Harvey.
Osteen’s massive Lakewood Church in Houston
‘Joel Osteen when he hears that another hurricane is about to hit Houston,’ user postedaccompanied by a photo of a closed door secured with at least a dozen locks.
Many other users shared similar memes of someone boarding up their door, or pretending they couldn’t hear anything because they had headphones on.
The criticism grew even louder this time after local hero Mattress Mack, a Houston furniture entrepreneur whose real name is James McIngvale, posted his personal cell phone number on Twitter before Beryl was due to make landfall.
“Gallery Furniture is here for you as Hurricane Beryl approaches. Call us if you need us! Mattress Mack’s Cell – 281-844-1963, Gallery Furniture – 713-694-5570. Stay safe, Houston,” he said tweeted sunday.
The responses to his post were full of praise for Mattress Mack, but also drew a stark comparison to Osteen.
Houston residents praised local businessman Matress Mac for providing shelter and support
By Monday morning, Mack had converted one of his stores into a shelter.
“GF 6006 N FRWY WILL BE OPEN AS A SHELTER AS OF 8AM CST ON 7/8/24 IN RESPONSE TO TROPICAL STORM BERYL. SORRY, NO PETS ALLOWED. MORE UPDATES TO COME,” Mack’s account announced.