Lakewood Church

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox church
| name = Lakewood Church
| img = Lakewood worship.jpg
| caption = Worship in 2013
| location = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Houston, Texas.svg|size=23px}} [[Houston, Texas]]
| denomination = [[Non-denominational Christianity|Non-denominational]], [[Evangelical]], [[Charismatic Christianity]], [[Pentecostal]] 
| attendance = 45,000
| founded date = May 10, 1959 (64 years ago) 
| founder = [[John Osteen]]
| capacity = 16,800
| seniorpastor = [[Joel Osteen|Joel]] and [[Victoria Osteen]]
| pastor = Nick Nilson, Dr. [[Paul Osteen]], Craig Johnson, Lisa Osteen Comes
| country = {{flag|United States}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.lakewoodchurch.com}}
| logosize = 
| logo = 
}}
'''Lakewood Church''' is a [[Nondenominational Christianity|non-denominational]] [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] [[Christianity|Christian]] [[megachurch]] located in [[Houston, Texas]]. It is among the [[List of the largest Protestant churches in the United States|largest congregations]] in the United States, averaging about 45,000 attendees per week.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cochran|first=Amanda|date=2021-12-03|title=Lakewood Church: The Houston megachurch by the numbers|url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2021/12/03/lakewood-church-the-houston-megachurch-by-the-numbers/|access-date=2022-02-14|website=KPRC|language=en}}</ref> The 16,800-seat [[Lakewood Church Central Campus|Lakewood Church building]], home to four English-language services and two Spanish-language services per week,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lakewood.cc/Services/Pages/LakewoodChurchServices.aspx|publisher=Lakewood Church|title=Services|access-date=December 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201101520/http://www.lakewood.cc/SERVICES/Pages/LakewoodChurchServices.aspx|archive-date=February 1, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> is located at the former Compaq Center.<ref name="USA">{{cite news|title=America's largest church opens in former arena|work=USA Today|date=July 14, 2005|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-07-14-largest-church_x.htm |access-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref> [[Joel Osteen]] is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church with his wife, [[Victoria Osteen|Victoria]], who serves as co-pastor. 

It has 368 full-time and part-time staff.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

==History==
[[File:Lakewoodchurch.jpg|thumb|right|Current building in Houston]]
[[File:Joel Osteen Preaching At Lakewood Church.jpg|thumb|upright 0.8|Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church, September 21, 2018]]

Lakewood Church, originally called Lakewood Baptist Church, was founded by [[John Osteen]] and his second wife, Dolores (Dodie) on [[Mother's Day]], May 10, 1959, in a tent. The church then moved to an abandoned [[Fodder|feed store]] in northeast Houston.<ref name="southerncrossroads67">{{cite book |editor-last=Conser Jr |editor-first=Walter H. |editor2=Rodger M. Payne | title =Southern Crossroads:Perspectives on Religion and Culture| publisher =The University Press of Kentucky |year=2008 |pages=67–68 |isbn=978-0-8131-2494-0}}</ref> John was a [[Southern Baptist]] minister, but after experiencing [[baptism in the Holy Spirit]], he founded Lakewood as a church for [[charismaticism|charismatic]] Baptists. The church soon dropped "Baptist" from its name and became [[nondenominational]]. In 1961, John Osteen left the church and was called to missions. Marvin Crow became the pastor in his absence until John returned in 1969. In 1972, Lakewood broke ground for a new building that seated seven hundred people. By 1979, attendance was over five thousand, and the church was becoming prominent among [[Pentecostals]] and charismatics. John and Dodie created and hosted Lakewood's weekly television program, which could be seen in one hundred countries worldwide. On February 15, 1987, a groundbreaking was held for a new eight-thousand–seat sanctuary, which was completed in April 1988. 

Following John Osteen's death on January 23, 1999, his youngest son, [[Joel Osteen]], became the pastor that October.<ref>Phillip Luke Sinitiere, ''Salvation with a Smile: Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, and American Christianity'', NYU Press, USA, 2015, p. 64</ref>

In 2001, [[Tropical Storm Allison]] caused flooding in the Houston area. Lakewood Church was opened as a shelter to approximately five thousand [[displaced person]]s.<ref name="Denver Post">{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2017/08/29/joel-osteen-houston-church-shelter/|title=Joel Osteen's Houston megachurch opens doors as shelter|agency=Associated Press|date=August 29, 2017|work=The Denver Post|access-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Lubbock">{{cite news|url=http://lubbockonline.com/stories/061801/sta_LD0666-7.001.shtml|title=Faithful return to Houston church to worship and to help storm's refugees|date=June 18, 2001|work=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|agency=Associated Press|access-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Kuzydym">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/08/29/we-were-never-closed-joel-osteens-houston-megachurch-disputes-claims-it-shut-its-doors/|title=Joel Osteen calls claim he shut church doors on Harvey victims 'a false narrative' |last1=Kuzydym|first1=Stephanie|last2=Phillips|first2=Kristine|date=August 30, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref>

Under Joel Osteen, Lakewood's congregation increased almost fivefold.<ref name="msnbc.msn.com">{{cite web| title = Nation's largest church opens in stadium| work = NBC News| date = July 16, 2005| url = http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8565629 |access-date=February 25, 2007}}</ref> Attendance increased to thirty thousand &nbsp;weekly, prompting a move from its location at 7317 East Houston Road<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20001018024013/http://lakewood.cc/ Contact Information]." ''Lakewood Church''. October 18, 2000. Retrieved on April 8, 2009.</ref><ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20030623055648/http://lakewood.cc/contactus.htm Contact Us]." ''Lakewood Church''. June 23, 2003.</ref> to a larger facility.<ref name="USA" /> In late 2003, the church signed a long-term lease with the city of Houston to acquire the [[Lakewood Church Central Campus|Compaq Center]], a 29-year-old former sports arena.<ref name="A Sports Arena Gets Religion">{{cite news| title = A Sports Arena Gets Religion| work = The New York Times| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/10/business/10prop.html?ex=1172552400&en=c8cb3279d9f71269&ei=5070 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090424123021/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/10/business/10prop.html?ex=1172552400&en=c8cb3279d9f71269&ei=5070 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 24, 2009 |access-date=February 25, 2007 |first=Terry | last=Pristin |date=March 10, 2004}}</ref>

Lakewood Church relocated to the Compaq Center on July 16, 2005. It is a 16,800-seat facility in southwest downtown Houston along [[U.S. Highway 59 in Texas|U.S. Highway 59]], that has twice the capacity of its former sanctuary.<ref name="USA" /><ref>Lonsway, Brian. “Spiritual Summit.” ''The Houston Journal of Architecture''. 74 (2008): 14–19.</ref> The church was required to pay $11.8 million in rent in advance for the first thirty years of the lease.<ref name="A Sports Arena Gets Religion" /> Lakewood renovated the new campus at an estimated cost of $100 million.{{cn|date=February 2024}}

The church received $15 million after selling the former building to New Light Christian Center Church.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dawson|first=Jennifer|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2005/10/17/daily37.html|title=New life for former Lakewood Church|work=[[Houston Business Journal]]|date=2005-10-17|access-date=2021-03-30}}</ref> On March 31, 2010, the Houston City Council voted 13–2 to sell the property to Lakewood for $7.5 million.<ref>Bradley Olson and Moises Mendoza. "[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6937849.html City Council OKs sale of ex-Compaq to Lakewood]." ''Houston Chronicle''. March 31, 2010.</ref>

On December 3, 2021, national news services reported that a plumber found cash and checks within a wall behind a toilet that was being repaired. They may have been related to a 2014 incident in which $600,000 in cash and checks disappeared from a safe.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/plumber-finds-cash-checks-loose-toilet-wall-joel-osteens-lakewood-chur-rcna7512?cid=sm_npd_ms_fb_ma|title=Plumber finds cash, checks behind loose toilet in wall at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church|publisher=NBC News}}</ref>

On January 14, 2024, Joel Osteen announced that Lakewood Church had paid off the $100 million dollar loan used to renovate the campus.<ref>{{Citation |title=Lakewood Church Service {{!}} Joel Osteen Live {{!}} January 14th, 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=169ZtgUuEVI |access-date=2024-02-08 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Killelea |first=Eric |title=Tearful Joel Osteen rips up $100M loan on Lakewood Church stage |url=https://www.chron.com/culture/religion/article/joel-osteen-100-million-loan-lakewood-18613448.php |access-date=2024-02-08 |work=Chron |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Briggs |first=Shakari |title=Joel Osteen says he's paid off $100 million debt from Lakewood Church renovations |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/joel-osteen-lakewood-church-100-million-debt-paid-18614617.php |access-date=2024-02-08 |work=Houston Chronicle |language=en}}</ref>

=== Shooting ===
{{main|Lakewood Church shooting}}
On February 11, 2024, a woman with a history of mental health issues, Genesse Ivonne Moreno, accompanied by her 7-year-old son, entered the church between services and began firing an [[AR-15]]. Two off-duty police officers working security returned fire and killed her. Her boy was critically injured with a gunshot to the head during the exchange of gunfire. Another man who was present was wounded in the hip, treated at a local hospital and released.<ref>[https://www.huffpost.com/entry/shooting-joel-osteen-church_n_65c93fdbe4b067c6b73d4836 Woman Firing Rifle Killed By 2 Off-Duty Officers At Joel Osteen's Church, 2 Others Hurt, Police Say], ''[[Huffington  Post]]'', Juan A. Lozano, February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/12/us/joel-osteen-lakewood-church-shooting-monday/index.html| first1 = Christina | last1 = Maxouris | first2 = Lauren | last2 = Mascarenhas | first3 = John | last3 = Miller |title=Shooter at Houston megachurch had lengthy criminal history including weapons charges, police say|publisher=CNN|date=February 12, 2024}}</ref>

==Beliefs==
Lakewood Church believes that the entire [[Bible]] is inspired by [[God]], and the church bases its teachings on this belief. The church also believes in the [[Trinity]], and recognizes the death of Christ on the cross and resurrection.

The church practices the following, believing them to be commanded in the Bible:
* The pursuit of [[Salvation in Christianity|Salvation]]: Each service offers an [[Altar call]] at the end in order for people to accept Christ as Lord and Savior.
* Water [[baptism]]: The church believes the Bible asks for this as a symbol and a testimony to faith in [[Jesus Christ]] – in "his cleansing power through his shedding of blood on the cross for us." [[Baptism]] is practiced every Saturday night in the church's [[Chapel]].
* [[Eucharist|Communion]]: The church believes the Bible asks for this act of remembering the death of Jesus on the cross. It is offered every week in the New Beginnings room (just down from the bookstore).
* The seeking of a growing relationship with Jesus Christ: Lakewood believes that every believer should be in a growing relationship with Jesus by obeying the rules laid out in the Bible, yielding to the [[Holy Spirit]] and by being conformed to the teachings of Jesus Christ.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lakewood.cc/pages/new-here/what-we-believe.aspx|title=What We Believe|access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>

Lakewood Church is known for its Word of Faith teaching.<ref name=southerncrossroads67 />  It is also known, before every sermon, for a [[creed]] (originally led by John and continued by Joel) which the congregation repeats in unison.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.joelosteen.com/downloadables/Pages/Downloads/ThisIsMyBible_JOM.pdf |title=This Is My Bible |access-date=March 19, 2018 |archive-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320043734/https://www.joelosteen.com/downloadables/Pages/Downloads/ThisIsMyBible_JOM.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Church organization==
Lakewood offers different types of ministries, fellowships, and services depending on the age, marital status, and need of its members.

===Services===
* Kidslife: Children
* Champions Club for Special Needs
* Lakewood Next Gen: Middle School, High School, and Young Adults
* Main Service: all adults

During weekend services, Joel Osteen, Victoria Osteen, or [[Danilo Montero]] preach. On Wednesday nights, associate pastors [[Paul Osteen]], Lisa Osteen Comes, Nick Nilson, and Craig Johnson, or guest speakers preach.

===Education===
Various classes are offered through the Compass Classes ministry, meeting before and after weekend services.<ref>[http://lakewood.cc/pages/ministries/Ministry.aspx?mid=8 Compass Bible Studies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626121908/http://www.lakewood.cc/pages/ministries/Ministry.aspx?mid=8 |date=June 26, 2010}}</ref>

===Television===
The church's weekly services are broadcast on [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] and [[Daystar Television Network]],<ref>Daystar is the only network to broadcast the one-hour Lakewood service, which features not only Joel Osteen's sermons but music and other pronouncements from Lakewood, on Tuesday evenings at 10PM Eastern Time.</ref> as well as local channels in most major U.S. markets. Lakewood also appears on secular networks, such as [[Fox Network]], [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]], and [[USA Network]].  In 2007, Lakewood reported spending nearly $30 million every year on its television ministry.<ref>{{cite web| title = Interview: Joel Osteen on the Future of America's Churches and Him Pastoring One| work = The Christian Post| url = http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070215/25806_2_Interview%3A_Joel_Osteen_on_the_Future_of_America%27s_Churches_and_Him_Pastoring_One.htm| access-date = February 25, 2007| archive-date = February 24, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070224220453/http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070215/25806_2_Interview%3A_Joel_Osteen_on_the_Future_of_America%27s_Churches_and_Him_Pastoring_One.htm| url-status = dead}}</ref> Osteen's sermons are also televised in more than 100 countries, with an estimated 7 million viewers each week.<ref>{{cite web| title = No Politics From This Pulpit |work = Newsweek |date = January 24, 2008 |url = http://www.newsweek.com/id/103290| access-date=April 11, 2010}}</ref> Lakewood also hosts a Night of Hope every month. This is when the church hosts a Christian service event in one of the arenas or stadiums all across America.

===Hispanic ministry===
In 2002, Lakewood began a Hispanic ministry, Iglesia Lakewood, founded by Hispanic Pastor [[Marcos Witt]] and his wife, Miriam Witt. In September 2012, Danilo and Gloriana Montero assumed the role of associate pastors for the Hispanic ministry. Lakewood has two services each week in Spanish and translates all English services into Spanish. The weekly attendance at the Spanish services is approximately 6,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espanol.lakewood.cc/pages/nuevo-aqui/horario-de-servicios.aspx|title=Horario de servicios |access-date=September 20, 2014 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828013504/http://espanol.lakewood.cc/pages/nuevo-aqui/horario-de-servicios.aspx|archive-date=August 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espanol.lakewood.cc/pages/nuevo-aqui/marcos-witt.aspx|title=Marcos Witt |access-date=September 20, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829161938/http://espanol.lakewood.cc/pages/nuevo-aqui/marcos-witt.aspx|archive-date=August 29, 2012}}</ref>

===Charitable work===
Since 2016, Lakewood Church organizes an annual Mobilizing Medical Missions Conference to equip doctors for on-field medical missions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lawson |first1=Melanie |title=Paul Osteen: How letting go led him to his true calling |url=https://abc13.com/paul-osteen-joel-osteens-brother-family-john/1192226/ |work=ABC13 Houston |date=February 8, 2016}}</ref> The church has been active during natural disasters by organizing food distribution programs and blood donation drives during COVID 19,<ref>{{cite news|title=Amid shortage caused by COVID-19 pandemic,Lakewood Church hosts emergency blood drive |url=https://www.chron.com/coronavirus/article/Lakewood-church-blood-drive-coronavirus-emergency-15150649.php |work=Chron }}</ref> providing shelter services during Hurricane Ida and 2021 Texas Freeze,<ref name= "Fact check: Pastor Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church did open its doors, February 2021">[https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-osteen-church-texas-cold-idUSKBN2AJ1WP “Fact check: Pastor Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church did open its doors to shelter Texans from the cold,”]  ''Reuters,'' Feb. 19, 2021</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church shelters over 100 evacuees of Hurricane Ida |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/joel-osteens-lakewood-church-shelters-evacuees-of-hurricane-ida.html |work=The Christian Post }}</ref> and serving as a distribution center for essential supplies during Hurricane Harvey.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Lakewood Church pastors recognized for work during Hurricane Harvey |url=https://www.fox26houston.com/news/lakewood-church-pastors-recognized-for-work-during-hurricane-harvey |work=FOX 26 Houston |date=14 August 2018}}</ref> 

==Criticism==
===Prosperity gospel===
Osteen's sermons and writings are sometimes noted for promoting [[prosperity theology]], or the prosperity gospel, a belief that material gain is a reward for pious Christians.<ref name=blumenthal>{{cite news|last=Blumenthal|first=Ralph|title=Joel Osteen's Credo: Eliminate the Negative, Accentuate Prosperity|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/30/books/30oste.html?pagewanted=all |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 30, 2006 |access-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref><ref name=lite>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318054,00.html |date=December 23, 2007 |access-date=May 13, 2011 |title=Transcript: Pastor Joel Osteen on 'FNS'|quote=Now, as with most successful people, you have critics who say that what you offer is gospel 'lite,' the prosperity gospel. |publisher=[[FOX News]]}}</ref> However, when asked if he is a prosperity teacher, Osteen responded that if prosperity means God wants people to be blessed and healthy and have good relationships, then he considers himself a prosperity teacher, but if it is about money, he does not. He has specifically stated that he never preaches about money because of the reputation of televangelists.<ref name=Interview>{{cite news|title=Joel Osteen: The Man Behind America's Largest Church|url=http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/amazing/osteen_010408.aspx|publisher=CBN.com|access-date=November 16, 2013}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[The Christian Post]]'' on April 21, 2013, Osteen expressed his sentiments on being perceived as being part of the prosperity gospel. "I get grouped into the prosperity gospel and I never think it's fair, but it's just what it is. I think prosperity, and I've said it 1,000 times, it's being healthy, it's having great children, it's having peace of mind. Money is part of it; and yes, I believe God wants us to excel ... to be blessed so we can be a bigger blessing to others. I feel very rewarded. I wrote a book and sold millions of copies; and Victoria and I were able to help more people than we ever dreamed of. But when I hear the term prosperity gospel, I think people are sometimes saying, 'Well, he's just asking for money'."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/interview-joel-osteen-on-life-tragedy-and-why-he-shuns-prosperity-gospel-label-94355/|title=Interview: Joel Osteen on Life, Tragedy and Why He Shuns 'Prosperity Gospel' Label|work=Christian Post|date=April 21, 2013 }}</ref> On October 14, 2007, ''[[60 Minutes]]'' ran a twelve-minute segment on Osteen, titled "Joel Osteen Answers his Critics", during which [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]] theologian [[Michael Horton (theologian)|Michael Horton]] told [[CBS News]] correspondent [[Byron Pitts]] that Osteen's message is [[Christian heresy|heresy]]. Horton stated that the problem with Osteen's message is that it makes religion about us instead of about God.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/11/60minutes/main3358652.shtml |date=October 14, 2007 |access-date=May 13, 2011 |title=Joel Osteen Answers his Critics|publisher=CBS News [[60 Minutes]]}}</ref>   According to the Houston Chronicle Lakewood church’s income was $89m in the year ending March 2017. More than 90 percent of that was raised from church followers and barely 1 percent of its budget went to charitable causes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-04-18 |title=A preacher for Trump's America: Joel Osteen and the prosperity gospel |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3990ce66-60a6-11e9-b285-3acd5d43599e |access-date=2023-01-31}}</ref>

===Slow response to Hurricane Harvey===
During the immediate aftermath of [[Hurricane Harvey]] in 2017, Osteen received significant criticism in response to not making Lakewood Church, a {{convert|606000|sqft|m2|adj=on}}, 16,000 seat, former basketball arena, available as an emergency shelter for those displaced by the storm.<ref name="WaPo_083017">{{cite news|last1=Kuzydym|first1=Stephanie|title=Joel Osteen calls claim he shut church doors on Harvey victims 'a false narrative'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/08/29/we-were-never-closed-joel-osteens-houston-megachurch-disputes-claims-it-shut-its-doors/|access-date= September 8, 2017|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|date=August 30, 2017}}</ref><ref name="NYT_082917">{{cite news|last1=Bromwich|first1=Jonah Engel|title=Joel Osteen Says Lakewood Church Is Open to Harvey Victims After Criticism|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/29/us/joel-osteen-backlash-church.html?mcubz=0&_r=0|access-date=September 8, 2011|newspaper=[[New York Times]]|date=August 29, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Newsweek_082817">{{cite magazine|last1=Sinclair|first1=Harriet|title=Is Joel Osteen's megachurch too flooded to help hurricane Harvey victims?|url=http://www.newsweek.com/televangelist-joel-osteen-flood-hurricane-harvey-656163|access-date=September 8, 2017|magazine=[[Newsweek]]|date=August 8, 2017}}</ref><ref name="LAT_092917">{{cite news|last1=Associated Press|title=After criticism, televangelist Joel Osteen denies closing Houston megachurch to people seeking shelter|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-joel-osteen-houston-megachurch-harvey-20170829-htmlstory.html|access-date=September 8, 2017|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=August 29, 2017}}</ref><ref name=Tribune>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-joel-osteen-megachurch-harvey-victims-20170830-story.html |title=Joel Osteen pushes back against accusations he closed his megachurch to Harvey victims |author1=Kuzydym, Stephanie |author2=Phillips, Christine |work=The Chicago Tribune |date=August 30, 2017 |access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref>  On August 27, posts from the church and a Lakewood Church associate pastor's social media accounts stated that the church was "inaccessible due to severe flooding,"  and associate pastor John Gray posting further, "If WE could get there WE WOULD OPEN THE DOORS."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fox13news.com/news/277145632-story |title=Joel Osteen's megachurch blasted for lack of outreach during Houston flooding |work=Fox 13 News |date=August 29, 2017 |access-date=August 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829225240/http://www.fox13news.com/news/277145632-story |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fox26houston.com/news/kwalking-should-osteen-have-opened-church-as-a-shelter-sooner|title=KWalking - Should Osteen have opened church as a shelter sooner?|last=FOX|website=KRIV|date=September 4, 2017 |access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref> However the area was not under flood warning and photos and videos posted on social media appeared to counter the church's claim.<ref name=Snopes>{{Cite news|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/is-osteens-megachurch-affected/|title=Was Joel Osteen's Houston 'Megachurch' Affected By Hurricane Harvey?|newspaper=Snopes|access-date=Aug 29, 2017}}</ref> In a subsequent interview, Osteen denied the claim that the church was closed during the flood, saying "the church has been open from the beginning," and, "We've always been open … How this notion got started, that we're not a shelter and we're not taking people in is a false narrative."<ref name=Tribune/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/08/29/we-were-never-closed-joel-osteens-houston-megachurch-disputes-claims-it-shut-its-doors/|title=Joel Osteen calls claim he shut church doors on Harvey victims 'a false narrative'|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/29/joel-osteen-opens-his-megachurch-for-shelter-after-video-showing-it-empty-6888322/|title=Pastor opens his megachurch for shelter after video showing it empty|last=Metro.co.uk|first=Oliver McAteer for|date=August 29, 2017 |website=Metro|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://heavy.com/news/2017/08/joel-osteen-wikipedia-summary-trolled-vandalized-hurricane-harvey-lakewood-church-photo-screenshot/|title=PHOTO: Joel Osteen's Wikipedia Trolled Over Church's Response to Hurricane Harvey|last=Prince|first=S.J.|date=August 29, 2017 |work=Heavy.com |language=en-US |access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref> He also said that "On the evening of August 28, it was announced by Lakewood that it would open at noon the next day as an available shelter, opening to storm victims and emergency personnel on August 29".<ref name=Tribune/>

On August 15, 2018, the City of Houston and Mayor [[Sylvester Turner]] proclaimed a "Lakewood Church Day" in honor of Lakewood's assistance in reconstruction efforts across the Houston area.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://abc13.com/society/joel-osteen-honored-by-city-of-houston-for-post-harvey-help/3957138/|title=Joel Osteen honored by city of Houston for post-Harvey help|date=August 14, 2018 |work=ABC13 Houston |language=en-US |access-date=August 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2018/08/14/300096/lakewood-church-receives-mayors-proclamation-for-harvey-support-after-initial-criticism/|title=Lakewood Church Receives Mayor's Proclamation for Harvey Support – After Initial Criticism |last=Martin|first=Florian|date=August 14, 2018 |work=Houston Public Media |language=en-US |access-date=August 15, 2018}}</ref> It stated Lakewood has provided "assistance to more than 1,150 Houston-area families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by floodwaters" and bought "1.1 million dollars in building materials, furniture, appliances, and paid labor, as well as through the contribution of more than 2,500 volunteers".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/pastor-osteen-recognized-for-his-work-during-hurricane-harvey-with-surprise-proclamation |title=Lakewood Church pastors recognized for work during Hurricane Harvey |last=FOX |work=KSAZ |language=en-US |access-date=August 15, 2018 |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164611/http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/pastor-osteen-recognized-for-his-work-during-hurricane-harvey-with-surprise-proclamation |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Texas|Evangelical Christianity|}}
* [[Christianity in Houston]]
* [[List of the largest churches in the US]]
* [[List of the largest evangelical churches]]
* [[List of the largest evangelical church auditoriums]]
* [[Worship service (evangelicalism)]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
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* [https://www.lakewoodchurch.com/ Lakewood Church]
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