Infamous Pastor Joel Osteen Reportedly Invites Kanye West to His Houston Church (UPDATE)

The often-criticized celebrity pastor Joel Osteen has taken note of Kanye West's new-found love of Christianity.

Joel Osteen
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Joel Osteen

UPDATED 11/12, 10:30 a.m. ET: Kanye West will appear at Joel Osteen's own Sunday Service, TMZ reports. Per the outlet, West will bring his choir to Houston, where they're expected to perform during the nighttime service. 

TMZ's sources add that West and Osteen will have a conversation on stage during Lakewood Church's daytime service as well. Osteen reportedly wants Kanye to "contrast his life then and now."


See original story below. 

The often criticized celebrity pastor Joel Osteen has taken note of Kanye West's new-found love of Christianity. As TMZ reports, sources close to the two individuals indicate that they have been friends for a while and have been talking over the phone. Due to Yeezy's dedication to the religion, Osteen has even invited him to his own Sunday Service at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.

Ye reportedly told the controversial pastor he wants to make it to the service, although it's not clear if he will also perform there. Osteen didn't ask him specifically, but is open to the idea. The sources also explained Osteen is a fan of Kanye's new approach to life, which has carried over into new music in the form of the perpetually-delayed-till-it-finally-dropped Jesus Is King.

Throughout his career, Osteen has continually faced criticism for some of his beliefs and for-profit approach to religion. In 2017 Lakewood Church was the subject of backlash after it was reported Osteen didn't make it available as an emergency shelter for Hurricane Harvey victims. One spokesperson said it was closed due to severe flooding, but Osteen himself claimed the church was never closed.

One sore point for many of his critics is his stance on same-sex marriage, as he has continually said homosexuality is a sin. Understandably, people aren't too pleased about the connection between Ye and Osteen.

A perfect match! Could spread false gospel for the righteous naive.

— Roland Solo (@RolandSolo87) October 25, 2019

Idk if I ever expected Kanye West to become the rap Joel Osteen but whatever I guess

— burner herzog (@himniteshamalan) October 24, 2019

Isn't this the guy who wouldn't let people in his church when the city was flooding 😂

— Njuguna Gitau 🇰🇪 (@what_Njuguna_do) October 25, 2019

Kanye needs to stick with Adam Tyson and stay far from Osteen

— Jonathan E. Lewis (@JEricLewis) October 25, 2019

A Jesus Is King follow-up Jesus Is Born is scheduled to arrive on Christmas day.

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