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.