PhotoThe leader of a Houston-based megachurch said Tuesday that it would open its doors to victims of Hurricane Harvey, after its initial statements about the storm met with strong criticism online. Joel Osteen, a prominent televangelist and the leader of Lakewood Church, had not said whether the church would be offering shelter when he tweeted Saturday to express his prayers for those affected by the storm. Many others rushed to the defense of the church, which is home to one of the nation’s largest congregations. Mr. Osteen, who has made tens of millions of dollars from book sales and other ventures, has told congregants that God wants them to prosper financially. Several hours after Mr. Osteen tweeted that Lakewood’s doors were open to those seeking shelter, a photo taken outside the church showed a line of cars waiting to get in.

Source: New York Times August 29, 2017 18:36 UTC