Tyler Perry donates $1 million to Harvey relief efforts

Tyler Perry is the latest celebrity to chip in with a substantial donation to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

The writer, actor and director posted a video to his Facebook page Thursday in which he announced he plans to give $1 million to help those in need in Houston.

He also used the video to defend pastor Joel Osteen who has come under fire for not opening up his megachurch sooner to those in need of shelter.

And to show his support for Osteen, he said he’s giving $250,000 of the one million to the Lakewood evangelist.

Generous gift: Tyler Perry shared a Facebook video Thursday to announce he is donating $1 million to Harvey relief efforts

‘Let me tell you something – Joel and Victoria are amazing people,’ Perry said. ‘There’s no way they would lock people out of their church and not let people in for shelter.

He repeated Osteen’s claim of ‘safety concerns’ and said when he spoke with the pastor on the phone ‘it all made perfect sense to me.’ 

He then berated Osteen’s critics for rushing to judgement.

Osteen finally opened up his megachurch after being blasted on social media for failing to help those in need.

Perry said in his Facebook post that he is ‘sure’ the money he gives will be used to purchase supplies. 

Perry also used the platform to defend megachurch pastor Joel Osteen who was blasted on social media for not opening his Lakewood church in Houston to those in need of shelter

Perry also used the platform to defend megachurch pastor Joel Osteen who was blasted on social media for not opening his Lakewood church in Houston to those in need of shelter

Defended televangelist: The writer, actor and director called Osteen and his wife Victoria 'amazing people' and said he's giving them $250,000 for their relief work

Defended televangelist: The writer, actor and director called Osteen and his wife Victoria ‘amazing people’ and said he’s giving them $250,000 for their relief work

Big donation: He's also giving $250,000 to Beyonce's Houston pastor Rudy Rasmus, pictured with the star in Chicago in 2006

Big donation: He’s also giving $250,000 to Beyonce’s Houston pastor Rudy Rasmus, pictured with the star in Chicago in 2006

He also announced that another quarter of his one million dollar pledge will be going to Rudy Rasmus, who is Beyonce’s pastor in Houston.

He said he’s still working out where to donate the remaining $500,000 as he wants to make sure it goes to people who have ‘boots on the ground’ and who ‘will do the right thing.’ 

Officials estimate there are 32,000 people currently taking refuge in shelters after being forced out of their homes by flooding in east Texas.

Some 48,000 homes are believed to have been destroyed.  

Perry says he has not yet decided where to place the remaining $500,000 of his $1 million pledge, saying he wants it to go to people on the ground who will get things done

Perry says he has not yet decided where to place the remaining $500,000 of his $1 million pledge, saying he wants it to go to people on the ground who will get things done

Osteen has said he has no intention of apologizing for not immediately opening the doors of his Houston megachurch to flood victims.

‘We love helping people and that’s what our message is all about,’ he told Entertainment Tonight on Thursday. ‘And there were safety issues that people don’t understand. But, I really believe that if people were in my shoes, they would have done the same thing.’  

When asked about the reaction on social media, Osteen says he invokes a higher power.

‘I don’t spend any energy on the Twitter universe or social media,’ he said. ‘Hey, my reputation is in God’s hands and He can take care of that.’

Osteen says he is now focused on soliciting donations to help victims both spiritually and financially.  

No regrets: Osteen posted this pic of a volunteer sorting through supplies at the church. He told ET Thursday he's not gong to apologize for not opening his doors sooner

No regrets: Osteen posted this pic of a volunteer sorting through supplies at the church. He told ET Thursday he’s not gong to apologize for not opening his doors sooner

Still seeking money: Osteen says he is now focused on soliciting donations to help victims both spiritually and financially

Still seeking money: Osteen says he is now focused on soliciting donations to help victims both spiritually and financially

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