Updated 03:30 AM EDT, Fri, Apr 26, 2024

Joel Osteen's Megachurch Robbed of $600K in Donations

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Thieves broke into a safe at Pastor Joel Osteen's megachurch in Houston, Texas, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Cash, checks and credit card information were stolen from the safe, according to the Associated Press

Police say $600,000 in total was stolen-$200,000 in cash and $400,00 in checks-from the safe between 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 8:30 a.m. Monday.  

No arrests have been made. 

Lakewood Church said in a statement that the money, checks and credit card information taken were all funds given during the weekend's services. Lakewood attendees have been told to monitor their accounts. 

Church officials said there has not been a data breach, and that the stolen funds were insured. Credit card information was in donation envelopes. 

Church officials are cooperating with police to find the thieves. Lakewood Church released a comment yesterday about the theft. 

"We were heartbroken to learn today that funds were stolen from the church over the weekend," the church said. "This includes cash, checks and envelopes containing written credit card information, and it is limited only to those funds contributed in the church services on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9, 2014."  

"The integrity of our congregants' information is of utmost importance to us," the church added

More than 38,000 people attend Osteen's weekly services at what is arguably the most famous megachurch in the U.S. Osteen's televised sermons also reach nearly 100 countries.

Police are investigating surveillance footage for leads. It is not yet clear how the safe was accessed. 

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