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| For a small donation of $10,000, Houston megachurch Pastor Joel Osteen will go to a family's devastated home and baptize them, as well as give them a signed copy of his 2007 book "Become a Better You" |
Houston
It seems as though Houston megachurch pastor and inspirational author Joel Osteen can't do anything right these days.
The 54 year old leader of the 15,000+ capacity Lakewood Church has been under fire for his response to the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, which has claimed at least 19 lives. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Osteen claimed that the church was closed to severe flooding, despite photographs debunking that claim. By Monday, the best-selling author of "Your Best Life Now" was saying that Lakewood was "prepared to house people once shelters reach capacity" and that they were collecting supplies for those in need. Meanwhile, Houston mosques and other places of worship had already been opening their doors to those affected by Harvey. Under increasing pressure, on Tuesday Osteen finally announced that the church was receiving people who need shelter.
This morning on The Today Show, Osteen claimed that the hurricane was "an incredible gift from God." He continued, "I declare that the Lord has sent all of this rain so that a vast amount of Houstonians will have the opportunity to be baptized within their own homes, whether they be flooded houses, apartment buildings, nursing homes or what have you." He went on to say that victims who agreed to be baptized in the flood waters would receive "special priority from the Lord and from Lakewood Church when it comes to deciding who receives the most assistance." He then announced that for a small donation of $10,000, he himself would "roll up his sleeves" and go to a family's devastated home and baptize them, as well as give them a signed copy of his 2007 book "Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day."
As of 2012, Osteen's net worth is reportedly $56,508,500. He lives with his family in a $10,500,000 home.
From Our Houston Bureau