JOEL OSTEEN

A battle about abortion rights was front and center on Sunday at Lakewood Church as activists interrupted its morning service -- they say to bring attention to the controversial topic.

The plumber responsible for finding a large sum of money inside the walls of Joel Osteen's Lakewood megachurch says he believes he should get a reward.

Lakewood Church via a representative has acknowledged cash and checks were found at the facility during repairs, years after a burglary of $600,000, in 2014.

While the full scope of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ida may not be known for days, it’s already evident that many across Louisiana will need help.

HOUSTON – As millions go without electricity during record cold temperatures, Lakewood Church opens its doors as a warming center to help anyone in need of shelter. The church is working with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and local organizations to be available. Church officials said no one will be turned away and can enter at either the entrance at Edloe or Norfolk streets. On Tuesday, Pastor Joel Osteen visited the warming center and discussed his reasoning on why he decided to open his church’s doors. “You know, as soon as we heard this storm was going to be a huge storm, we knew that we were in position to help,” Osteen said.

HOUSTON – Since reports surfaced that Joel and Victoria Osteen’s Lakewood Church received $4.4 million in Payroll Protection Program loans, the Osteens have responded through Lakewood representatives, saying that it initially did not accept help. A screenshot from the Lakewood Church Facebook announcement that it will reopen for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Believing the shutdown would only last a few weeks, Lakewood did not initially accept PPP assistance during the first half of the program. It is important to note that, since 2004, Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen have not received salaries from Lakewood Church, and the PPP funds do not provide any personal financial benefit to them, whatsoever. Donald IloffThe exterior of Lakewood Church in Houston is seen in this undated image.

HOUSTON – Joel and Victoria Osteen made a six-figure contribution to Houston Astros’ Alex Bregman’s mission to help raise funds for the Houston Food Bank. “We talked with them about what we’re trying to do and how we are trying to help people,” Bregman said. Every $1 donated to the Houston Food Bank can help provide three meals to people in need. If you are healthy and want to make an impact, the Houston Food Bank is taking volunteers to help with the added demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Volunteer safety is a priority and appropriate safety measures will be taken, including social distancing.

HOUSTON – The Lakewood Church Easter service at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 12 is a big one. Pastor Joel Osteen will be joined by singer Mariah Carey and actor, director and producer Tyler Perry. With the coronavirus pandemic preventing large, in-person services, all the stars will join Osteen for the service remotely. How to watch:The service will be streamed Live on the church’s Facebook page, YouTube, and LakewoodChurch.com. The Easter Service will stream on SiriusXM’s Joel Osteen Radio channel 128 and on the SiriusXM app.

HOUSTON – The Lakewood Church Easter service on Sunday, April 12 is going to be a big one. Pastor Joel Osteen will be joined again by rapper Kanye West for the service, along with singer Mariah Carey and actor, director and producer Tyler Perry, the church confirmed to KPRC 2 Tuesday. Lakewood Church later confirmed all the reported details of the event with KPRC 2. Church officials also said the service will be pre-recorded, on Friday, April 10. To stream Lakewood Church services and for more information, visit the Lakewood Church website.

HOUSTON – American Red Cross is facing a blood shortage after many blood drive events were canceled during this coronavirus pandemic. In order to help out, Lakewood Church announced it is hosting an emergency blood drive starting Monday. The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is following all heightened CDC recommendations regarding sanitization and safety to provide a clean, safe environment for donation. To register for the blood drive, sign up on the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center website. Register on the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center website

HOUSTON – Kanye West and Lakewood Church megachurch pastor Joel Osteen are teaming up to fill New York’s Yankee Stadium in 2020, the church told KPRC 2 Thursday morning. The church confirmed the details of a TMZ report which explained the media mogul and megachurch pastor will hold an event on May 2, 2020, which will be part of Osteen’s “America’s Night of Hope,” which Osteen plans to take to cities across the U.S.West and Osteen previously worked together at Lakewood in Houston in November. In addition to a performance and spiritual message at Lakewood, West performed at the Harris County Jail. This is a developing story. Lakewood Church tells KPRC 2 more details will be released.

As the NFL season gets underway, we thought we’d take a look at some of the more well-known Houston Texans fans who have made their allegiances known.