Nationwide — Pastor Keion Henderson of The Lighthouse Church in Houston, Texas, has known as on his congregation and supporters to assist increase $4 million to not solely restore the injury brought on by Hurricane Beryl but additionally to construct a bigger place of worship. The hurricane severely broken the church’s north campus, leaving it unusable. In a heartfelt message delivered on Sunday, August 11, Pastor Keion urged 2,100 individuals to contribute $2,100 every inside 21 days, aligning with what he described as a divine imaginative and prescient.
In accordance with Atlanta Black Star, the fundraising marketing campaign, titled “Out of the Harbor,” symbolizes a ship venturing out of a secure harbor into the unknown to satisfy its objective. The Lighthouse Church, which serves over 20,000 members throughout 4 campuses in numerous areas of Houston, has been battling overcrowding and parking points, particularly at its north campus. Pastor Keion shared that as much as 600 individuals have been being turned away every week as a result of restricted capability. He expressed his perception that God meant for the church to develop, saying, “I wish to double the scale of our sanctuary in order that nobody is turned away as a result of we don’t have a seat.”
Within the wake of the hurricane injury, Pastor Keion reached out to his mentor, Pastor Joel Osteen, for help. Consequently, Lighthouse’s providers are being briefly hosted at Lakewood Church, with Pastor Osteen’s help. Nonetheless, the main points of this association are nonetheless being finalized. Regardless of the uncertainty, Pastor Keion emphasised the urgency of the scenario, stating that they can’t watch for insurance coverage firms to step in. He appealed on to those that have been touched by his ministry to contribute to make sure that the church group just isn’t displaced for an prolonged interval.
The north campus of The Lighthouse Church sustained important injury throughout Hurricane Beryl, which included a collapsed roof and extreme electrical and water points. Pastor Keion shared photographs of the destruction and warned his congregation to be cautious of potential scams soliciting donations. Regardless of his earnest plea, some critics have accused him of utilizing the catastrophe as a method to extract cash from his followers, particularly in mild of his and his spouse Shaunie Henderson’s public profiles.
Shaunie Henderson, recognized for her position within the VH1 actuality collection Basketball Wives and her earlier marriage to NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, has additionally confronted scrutiny. Her memoir, Undefeated, launched earlier this yr, sparked controversy with revelations about her previous relationship with O’Neal. Critics have questioned why she and Pastor Keion don’t fund the church’s rebuilding efforts themselves, given their mixed wealth.
The backlash has intensified with feedback on social media, the place skeptics have instructed that Pastor Keion and Shaunie ought to use their private funds to cowl the prices. Stories estimate Keion’s web value at $8 million and Shaunie’s at $35 million, main some to argue that the fundraising efforts are pointless. The scenario has sparked a broader debate concerning the ethics of spiritual fundraising, particularly when the leaders concerned are perceived to be financially well-off.
