Joel Osteen’s church is now open to Harvey victims after public backlash

Pastor Joel Osteen has opened the doors of his Houston megachurch to shelter Hurricane Harvey evacuees.

“Lakewood’s doors are open now to anyone needing shelter. We are also coordinating with the city as a collection site for distributing supplies to area shelters. We are collecting diapers, baby formula, baby food and other supplies. Please bring these items to Lakewood Church, Circle Drive off Timmons St.”

Leaders kept the facility, which can hold up to 17,000 people, closed to the public until now, despite the city’s desperate need for additional housing.

Prior to opening the church doors, Joel Osteen was receiving major backlash from the public. The church said that ‘flooding’ and inaccessibility was the reason the church wasn’t open — but many took to social media to disprove the claims.

On Monday night, Joel Osteen released a statement saying, “We have never closed our doors … We will continue to be a distribution center to those in need. We are prepared to house people once shelters reach capacity.”