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Joel Osteen‘s megachurch services will power through the coronavirus crisis — which has officially been classified a pandemic — meaning close to 50,000 people will gather to worship with him this weekend.
Sources close to Osteen and his Lakewood Church in Houston tell TMZ … its 3 scheduled upcoming services — one Saturday night and 2 Sunday — are still on, with expected crowds of 16,000 at each service.
We’re told the staff is taking recommended precautions, such as sanitizing surfaces and bathrooms and leaving doors propped open so guests don’t have to touch them.
On top of that, our sources say church members and all potential attendees are being advised to stay home if they don’t feel well, have traveled to areas affected by COVID-19 or been in contact with anyone who has.
We’re told Lakewood’s plans could change with the developing news, but as of right now … it’s church business as usual for Osteen and his congregation.
Joel’s also set to hold a service in Jackson, Mississippi Friday for roughly 7,500.
Lakewood Church
As for Osteen’s “America’s Night of Hope” event at Yankee Stadium in May — which, as we first reported, will feature Kanye West — there are no plans to cancel or postpone that either.
However, our sources reiterate … things could change with those plans too.