Joel Osteen Invites Kanye West to Lakewood Service

Joel Osteen (Facebook/Joel Osteen Ministries)

Pastor Joel Osteen reportedly invited famous rapper Kanye West to his Lakewood Church service, according to TMZ.

The two celebrities have been in communication, as recently as two weeks ago. TMZ reports that Osteen invited West to experience his megachurch but didn't ask him to perform so as not to put him on the spot. But the celebrity pastor would reportedly be thrilled if West sang.

West's Jesus Is King album premiered on Wednesday in California, as did his IMAX film by the same name, according to NBC. The film is set to play in theaters for a week, and the album released today.

West tweeted that the album, which was supposed to be released Friday, was going to be momentarily delayed:

Later that same day, the album was officially released.

Two weeks ago, West brought his gospel-centric Sunday Service events to Washington, D.C. During his performance at George Washington University, West gave the crowd a sneak preview of his upcoming album.

"I want you to know I'm not here for your entertainment this afternoon," he told the audience. "We're here to spread the gospel. ... Philippians 2—forgive me if I mispronounce anything. I'm a recent convert. It means I recently got saved within this year.

"... I know for a fact that I am a strong member in pop culture, that I worshipped the idea of labels, brand names. I worshipped cars. I worshipped the city I grew up in. I probably said Chicago more in my career than I said Jesus."

Earlier this month, Pastor Adam Tyson, who preaches at West's Sunday Services, offered an inside look at West's faith.

"He is living and walking with God," Tyson told "The Pure Flix Podcast," noting that he's seen noticeable changes in the rapper's life. "He's in the Bible. He's in prayer."


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