Photo: NBC NewsWire (Getty)
Everyone knows by now that Hurricane Harvey continues to bring destruction and chaos to Texas as thousands of people have had to leave their homes and seek shelter. Tons of people from around the country have offered their help, and plenty of people in Texas have also offered shelter to those in need. One of those people who have not offered anything? Super rich pastor Joel Osteen.
Osteen owns the Lakewood Church, a Houston megachurch. The massive house of worship holds 16,800 seats and pretty much looks like a huge concert venue. But this is what Osteen decided to tweet.
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
Thanks for nothing, Joel.
And you just knew that Osteen was going to get bashed, and rightfully so.
Are you going to donate some of your millions of dollars? That would help more than prayer.
— I’m Corey Voss? (@HolaYoSoyFiesta) August 26, 2017
because prayers don’t cost him anything and are not tax deductible.
— Cathleen Cain (@CathleenVCain) August 28, 2017
You and Victoria need to helping by opening your church and providing that money that gets donated to you for those in need .
— Monica.dlsm (@Mbabyyyy) August 28, 2017
Houston’s Joel Osteen has a net worth over $50m and a church that holds 16,800 but this is all he’s offering. pic.twitter.com/rmhdWK6ZAO
— Mark Elliott (@markmobility) August 28, 2017
1. Now the people need shelter: anyone seen Joel Osteen and his Lakewood Church stepping up? He’s right in Houston
— jan dodge (@tenajd) August 28, 2017
Lakewood Church of course chimed in to respond to the backlash with this post on their Facebook.
But once again people called bullshit.
Houston’s @indivisible_usa is acquainted with @JoelOsteen‘s Lakewood Church. They took these pics about an hour ago w/ commentary. pic.twitter.com/YTWrD9UG1z
— Charles Clyme (@cmclymer) August 28, 2017
He blocked me. Haha. We’re getting to him. pic.twitter.com/azwnRQvGpo
— Isela Sanchez (@iselas25) August 28, 2017
@cmclymer Looking pretty passable to me from this side, stay tuned for further exploration pic.twitter.com/dlrYGeLgBj
— Allie (@AlleyCat_Allie) August 28, 2017
@cmclymer Worth noting that some of their parking is underground (note flood gates) but they could still drop ppl off at the door easily pic.twitter.com/Mso4GTLuF2
— Allie (@AlleyCat_Allie) August 28, 2017
@cmclymer Feeder in front looks good as well pic.twitter.com/FXdq9Y8zyZ
— Allie (@AlleyCat_Allie) August 28, 2017
And the roasting continued:
Twitter: Open your church for shelter, Joel!
Joel Osteen: pic.twitter.com/6oPqAlJ9O9
— James Davis (@JDouglasDavis) August 29, 2017
Dear Joel Osteen, let me give you a quick sermon: Jesus would never have refused opening doors for the unfortunate. Luke 14:12-14 , bitch.
— Writer Louis Leung (@ricedaddy7) August 29, 2017
Why give #JoelOsteen such a hard time? I mean, did these people actually pay to get saved?#HurricaneHarvey pic.twitter.com/TddMT981lo
— Bryan Dawson (@BryanDawsonUSA) August 29, 2017
And apparently all that roasting paid off.
Lakewood Church apparently bought countless air mattresses and are prepping to open their doors. Took a while but good news.#JoelOsteen pic.twitter.com/MYXf1HqAbF
— Charles Clyme (@cmclymer) August 29, 2017
Took long enough, Joel.
h/t Someecards