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	<title>FACT CHECK: Was Joel Osteen&#039;s Houston &#039;Megachurch&#039; Affected By Hurricane Harvey?</title>

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<article class="post-102035 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-facts tag-houston tag-hurricane-harvey tag-joel-osteen tag-lakewood-church tag-texas"  itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ClaimReview">

		
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	<h1 itemprop="headline" class="article-title">Was Joel Osteen's Houston 'Megachurch' Affected By Hurricane Harvey?</h1>

			<h2 itemprop="description" class="article-description">The evangelist was criticized on social media for not opening Lakewood Church to help people fleeing the storm.		</h2>
	

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				<h3 itemprop="description" class="section-break claim"><span>CLAIM</span></h3>
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			Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston is "inaccessible" because of flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey.					</p>

				
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				<h3 class="section-break"><span>ORIGIN</span></h3>

				
		<p>In August 2017, just after Hurricane Harvey made landfall and inundated Houston with record rainfall and flooding, celebrity pastor Joel Osteen&#8217;s Lakewood Church, which is based in the region, drew criticism for not making itself available to people affected by the storm.</p>
<p>On 27 August, the church <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodChurch/photos/a.235152305863.170713.128556930863/10155840979705864/?type=3&amp;theater" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>Dear Houstonians! Lakewood Church is inaccessible due to severe flooding! We want to help make sure you are safe. Please see the list below for safe shelters around our city, and please share this with those in need!</p></blockquote>
<p>A day later, a <a href="https://www.lakewoodchurch.com/Pages/Blog.aspx?blogid=13055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> on Lakewood&#8217;s blog read, in part:</p>
<blockquote><p>Over the last couple of days, as the enormity of this storm was being realized, we have been working to organize relief efforts for the Houston area with our friend Franklin Graham and the disaster relief organization that he oversees, Samaritan&#8217;s Purse. Samaritan&#8217;s Purse has been, since it&#8217;s inception, organized to respond to situations just like Hurricane Harvey, and we are grateful to be able to partner with them to provide assistance to the Houston area.</p>
<p>We know the need is great. That much is clear. We do not yet know all the ways we can help.</p></blockquote>
<p>The church <a href="http://www.nova-magazine.net/houston-televangelist-joel-osteen-refuses-to-open-his-megachurch-for-flood-survivors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> seats more than 16,000 people.</p>
<p>Osteen, whose own Houston home is worth a reported $10.5 million, has not made any comments regarding possible flooding near the church. A <a href="https://google.org/crisismap/usa?topics=met&amp;gl=US&amp;hl=en&amp;llbox=30.24%2C28.8%2C-94.185%2C-96.525" target="_blank" rel="noopener">map</a> of the area surrounding the church shows it is under a flood advisory, but not a warning. (Houston police told us that they have no pending calls from the area.)</p>
<p>Several Twitter users have posted pictures questioning the church&#8217;s statement, including an <a href="https://twitter.com/cmclymer/status/902204084597469184" target="_blank" rel="noopener">image</a>&nbsp;posted by writer Charles Clymer that was apparently taken from near the church showing no flooding near the building. Popular vlogger Keaton Milburn <a href="https://twitter.com/KeatonMilburn/status/902242396179546112" target="_blank" rel="noopener">responded</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>maybe your anonymous source would like to see these photos. ones of the church actually flooding. know your facts first</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Norfolk-harvey-photo1.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-102051 size-full" style="border: 1px solid black;" src="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Norfolk-harvey-photo1.jpg?resize=600,979" alt="" srcset="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Norfolk-harvey-photo1.jpg?w=600 600w, https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Norfolk-harvey-photo1.jpg?resize=184,300 184w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Norfolk-Harvey-photo2.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="size-full wp-image-102052 aligncenter" style="border: 1px solid black;" src="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Norfolk-Harvey-photo2.jpg?resize=600,1032" alt="" srcset="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Norfolk-Harvey-photo2.jpg?w=600 600w, https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Norfolk-Harvey-photo2.jpg?resize=174,300 174w, https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Norfolk-Harvey-photo2.jpg?resize=595,1024 595w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>The caption on the photos, though, suggest that they were taken <em>near</em> the church, not inside the facility itself. Another Twitter user&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AlleyCat_Allie/status/902204940277428224" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> pictures of her own showing no apparent street flooding near the church:</p>
<p><a href="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/allie_cat-lakewood-picture.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="size-full wp-image-102054 aligncenter" style="border: 1px solid black;" src="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/allie_cat-lakewood-picture.jpg?resize=600,395" alt="" srcset="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/allie_cat-lakewood-picture.jpg?w=600 600w, https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/allie_cat-lakewood-picture.jpg?resize=300,198 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>Clymer also posted <a href="https://twitter.com/cmclymer/status/902254954181775360" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pictures</a> from a third user which purportedly showed no flooding near either the church&#8217;s near entrance or loading docks:</p>
<p><a href="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Lakewood-street-photos1.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="size-full wp-image-102060 aligncenter" style="border: 1px solid black;" src="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Lakewood-street-photos1.jpg?resize=600,552" alt="" srcset="https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Lakewood-street-photos1.jpg?w=600 600w, https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2017/08/Lakewood-street-photos1.jpg?resize=300,276 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>Another local man, Jorge Colmenares, posted a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/100006838698089/videos/1937725793132025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> on Facebook showing a lack of flooding in a garage he identified as belonging to the church. The footage has received more than 70,000 views. He told us:</p>
<blockquote><p>I was doing recon around my surrondng area and checking up on my work location. Lakewood is always on my route. I was expecting to see flood in the garage area but it wasn&#8217;t at all.</p></blockquote>
<p>However, he added, &#8220;Lakewood and it&#8217;s surrounding area was legit flooded out&#8221; on 26 August 2017, shortly before the calls began for Osteen to make the church available. Colmenares said he had seen pictures online reflecting effects on the church:</p>
<blockquote><p>The church was flooded on the inside, garage level, basement level, not where the main floors are. It&#8217;s a huge place.</p></blockquote>
<p>We contacted the church seeking additional details about why it was inaccessible — for example, if there was possibly flooding nearby or damage to the building — but we have yet to receive a response. However, Osteen did put up the following tweet:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our hearts break as we see the damage and destruction in our city. Please join us in helping Houston recover. Visit <a href="https://t.co/jXMX5VB3qS" target="_blank">https://t.co/jXMX5VB3qS</a> <a href="https://t.co/00HtzOmeQL" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/00HtzOmeQL</a></p>
<p>— Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoelOsteen/status/902287106969669633" target="_blank">August 28, 2017</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The tweet linked to the following <a href="https://www.lakewoodchurch.com/Pages/Hurricane-Relief.aspx?sourcecode=17DRLW" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>:&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote><p>Dear Lakewood Church family,</p>
<p>We want to let you know that our hearts are with each of you and your families during this difficult time. We are praying for you and we are praying for our city, and for all of those affected by the devastating flooding and rains caused by Hurricane Harvey. We love you and we love this city. And we want to help.</p>
<p>Over the last couple of days, as the enormity of this storm was being realized, we have been working to organize relief efforts for the Houston area with our friend Franklin Graham and the disaster relief organization that he oversees, Samaritan’s Purse. Samaritan’s Purse has been, since it’s inception, organized to respond to situations just like Hurricane Harvey, and we are grateful to be able to partner with them to provide assistance to the Houston area.</p>
<p>We know the need is great. That much is clear. We do not yet know all the ways we can help. However if you would like to register to volunteer with us, please do so by clicking the link below. Or, if you would like to donate to our relief efforts, please do so here in this page. We are working just as fast as we can on this and will update you with more information as it becomes available.</p>
<p>In the meantime, know that our prayers for strength and comfort for each of you will continue, as well as our prayers for God’s help as we navigate the upcoming days and months together.</p>
<p>We love you. And we are praying. Together, we will make it through this difficult time.</p></blockquote>
<p>Osteen and the church later released a second <a href="http://www.fox23.com/news/trending-now/why-wont-joel-osteen-open-his-huge-houston-church-as-a-storm-shelter/599601574" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement:</a></p>
<blockquote><p>We have never closed our doors. We will continue to be a distribution center for those in need. We are prepared to house people once shelters reach capacity. Lakewood will be a value to the community in the aftermath of thris storm in helping our fellow citizens rebuild their lives.</p></blockquote>
<p>Clymer also posted a <a href="https://twitter.com/cmclymer/status/902331820745924610" target="_blank" rel="noopener">picture</a> of what he described as &#8220;countless air mattresses&#8221; bought by the church, saying that it was &#8220;prepping to open its doors&#8221;.</p>
<p>On 29 August 2017, the church <a href="https://twitter.com/lakewoodch/status/902546567701422080" target="_blank">confirmed</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/lakewoodch/status/902548377363255296" target="_blank">Twitter</a> that it was open to evacuees and taking in supplies.</p>
<p>Lakewood is receiving people who need shelter. We are also coordinating with the city as a collection site for distribution. Lakewood is also collecting diapers, baby formula, baby food and other supplies. Please bring these items to Lakewood at Circle Drive.</p>
<div class="article-notation"><blockquote class="note"><p>28 August 2017, 9:19 P.M.: Updated with a statement from Joel Osteen as well as statements from a local man who posted a video showing a church garage.</p></blockquote><blockquote class="note"><p>29 August 2017, 8:41 A.M.: Updated with Twitter statement from Lakewood Church. </p></blockquote></div><div class="snopes-partner-unit partner-unit-articleFooter">
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									<a href="https://www.snopes.com/tag/houston/">houston</a>
									<a href="https://www.snopes.com/tag/hurricane-harvey/">hurricane harvey</a>
									<a href="https://www.snopes.com/tag/joel-osteen/">joel osteen</a>
													<a href="#show-all-tags" class="show-all-tags nohash">&#43;2&nbsp;more</a>
											<a href="https://www.snopes.com/tag/lakewood-church/">Lakewood Church</a>
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							<p><span class="label">Featured Image:</span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Joel_Osteen_Preaching.jpg" target="_blank">WikiMedia</a></p>
		
							<p><span class="label">Published:</span><span class="date-wrapper">28 August 2017<span></p>
		
							<p><span class="label">Updated:</span><span class="date-wrapper">29 August 2017</span></p>
		
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							<p><em>Nova Magazine.</em>&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &#8220;Houston Televangelist Joel Osteen Refuses To Open His Megachurch For Flood Survivors.&#8221;&nbsp; &nbsp;28 August 2017.</p>
							<p><em>Lakewood Church.<br />
</em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &#8220;Hurricane Disaster Relief.&#8221; &nbsp; &nbsp;28 August 2017.</p>
							<p>Brett, Jennifer. &#8220;Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church Respond To Claims He Won&#8217;t Open Megachurch As A Storm Shelter.&#8221;<br />
<em>Atlanta Journal-Constitution,</em> viewed via Fox23.com. 28 August 2017.</p>
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