Country singer John Rich has criticised Joel Osteen, the pastor of America's largest megachurch, over the delayed response of Lakewood Church to Hurricane Harvey. Rich took to social media to express his frustration, accusing Osteen of prioritising image over action.
Osteen faced widespread backlash after his church in Houston was slow to open as a shelter, despite being one of the wealthiest churches in the US. The church, which draws revenues of over $70 million a year, did not begin operating as a large-scale shelter until Tuesday, days after the storm hit.
Critics pointed out that other venues, including mosques and mattress shops, had opened their doors sooner. One flood victim, Andy Osawe, said: 'A church like this with this mode of preaching, it's supposed to be one of the first to open.'
Osteen defended the delay, citing safety concerns. 'There was a safety issue the first day or two,' he told CNN. 'We would never put people in here until we know that it's safe.' However, many remain unconvinced, with some suggesting the church was reluctant to house displaced people in its immaculately maintained building.
Lakewood Church, which moved into the former home of the Houston Rockets in 2003, has spent $95 million on renovations. The main auditorium, which seats 17,000, was not used as a shelter due to its steep seating configuration. Instead, relief services were offered in adjacent rooms.
