Pastor Osteen of Joel Osteen Ministries has taken his fathers Church and made it grow in every area of ministry and the Church has become the largest, fastest growing and most diverse congregation in America today with over 38,000 attending weekly services.
Born March 5, 1963 he is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church located in Houston, Texas. He is married to Victoria Osteen, who serves as co-pastor.
Joel Scott Hayley Osteen was featured as one of Barbara Walters' "10 Most Fascinating People of 2006",and was named "Most Influential Christian in America" in 2006 by The Church Report.
His second book, Become a Better You, was released in October 2007 with a first printing of three million copies.
Born in Houston, Texas, Joel Osteen married Victoria L. Iloff on April 4,1987. They have two children, Jonathan and Alexandra. Joel, son of John and Dodie Osteen, is one of six children. His elder siblings, Paul, Lisa, Tamara and his younger sister April, are also involved in full-time ministry. Joel's half-brother Justin, does missionary work out of New York.
Joel's father, John Osteen, a former Southern Baptist pastor
who became Charismatic in the late 1950s, founded Lakewood Church on Mother's Day, 1959. Osteen's father developed Lakewood into a body of approximately 6,000 members with an active television ministry, crusades, conferences, missionary support and food distribution. He died of a heart attack in 1999.
After 17 years with his father producing the church's television program, Joel succeeded his father on October 3, 1999 as pastor of Lakewood Church, which now is Joel Osteen Ministries.
Joel had only preached once in his life, the week before his father's death. Today, Lakewood Church services, led by Pastor Osteen, are seen in over 100 nations around the world.
Joel Osteen's first book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, was released in October 2004. In December 2006, he was named one of the year's "Ten Most Fascinating People" by Barbara Walters.
Presently, Joel Osteen and several Lakewood Church team members travel across the nation, presenting programs in large stadiums to the public. The event titled "A Night of Hope," includes worship music led by the church's music ministry, a testimony by Joel's mother Dodie and a sermon from Pastor Osteen.
In 2007, Joel Osteen Ministries expanded its tour to include stops in several other countries, including Canada, England, Northern Ireland and Israel.
Osteen released his second book,
entitled Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day in October 2007 under Simon & Schuster publishing, which has also topped the New York Times Best Sellers List.
Pastor Osteen told Larry King the new book will focus more on relationships and not getting stuck where we are in life. "Just my basic message of becoming all God's created you to be," he added.
Pastor Osteen says that he chooses to focus on the goodness of God rather than sin. In answer to questions raised over why he does not include many Bible verses in his books, he says that he sees himself as more of a life coach. Osteen explains that he tries to teach Biblical principles in a simple way, emphasizing the power of love and a positive attitude.
Joel Osteen Ministries received much criticism from many in the Evangelical community, after a 2005 appearance on Larry King Live, when he did not clearly affirm that Jesus Christ is the only way a person can reach Heaven. He stated repeatedly that only God knows a person's heart, but that as a believer in the Christian faith he believes in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
In late 2006, Osteen again appeared on Larry King Live
and clarified his prior statement, saying he does in fact believe a personal relationship with Christ is the only way to Heaven.
On the December 23, 2007 edition of Fox News Sunday, host Chris Wallace brought up criticisms of Osteen's lack of Scripture reference in his sermons, as well as his hesitancy to discuss sin as an integral part of life. Osteen responded: "And I am ultimately trying to do that, but I'm trying to teach people how to live their everyday lives, and so I do focus on it, probably not as much as some people would like."
Joel Osteen has also received criticism for his lack of formal theological training. Pastor Osteen has received a Bachelor of Arts degree in television production but did not study Bible or religion in college, and has never attended a theological seminary.
But besides all that, his commitment to the local community is strong and his international commitment is also increasing. While supplying much needed resources, services and materials to the victims of the Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina and Rita, Joel Osteen Ministries is also impacting the lives of people in over 100 countries.
If you are interested in products by Joel Osteen Ministries, the link below will take you to his page at Christianbook.com, where you will find product descriptions, ratings, reviews, retail prices and discounts.
BiographyMinistries has partnered with ChristianBook.com (the world's largest Christian products distributor) for your convenience if searching for any of Joel Osteen Ministries products.
(1) Christianbook.com has an impressive proven track record of over twenty-five years experience providing the best in Christian products at the lowest discount prices along with outstanding customer service.
(2) They are Customer Certified, meaning (over 1,000,000 customers have rated this store since 1999), with an overwhelming, overall Rating of: 'Outstanding' (in every category) according to Bizrate.com
(3) Christianbook.com is also a Circle of Excellence Sixth-Time Award Winner! (Bizrate)
Below are some of the materials and descriptions that Christianbook carries.
Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day
How often have you said "I can do better"? In his much-anticipated book, Become a Better You, Pastor Joel Osteen reminds you that God does not want you to settle for anything less than His best! He wants you to continually rise to new levels of freedom and victory, whether you're struggling or thriving in your current circumstances. Seven key steps, devotions, and personal testimonies pave the way for you to discover your unique purpose and destiny. Achieve personal success and leave a lasting impression for generations to come when you Become a Better You.
(Available at Joel Osteen Ministries and ChristianBook.com)
Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day Audiobook on CD
God didn't create you to be average. You were created to excel! You have everything you need to fulfill your God-given destiny, and there is no limit to what you can accomplish if you discover how.
Joel Osteen reveals seven simple yet profound principles that when taken to heart will help you become all that God has created you to be. In a straightforward, easy-to-understand style, Osteen explains key biblical values; the text is laced with personal testimonies.
Each of the seven keys has its own section, complete with a set of practical action points. Thus Become a Better You will guide you in the process of uncovering your hidden resources. Within these pages, Joel Osteen addresses topics such as building your confidence, developing betterrelationships, finding peace within, and staying passionate about life. Become a Better You will encourage you to reach your unique God-given potential, and will help you to enjoy every day of your life, despite your circumstances. As you incorporate Joel's easy-to-grasp principles into your life, you will be pleasantly surprised at how much more God has in store for you. 5 CDs. 6 hours.
(Available at Joel Osteen Ministries and ChristianBook.com)
Become a Better You Journal
In this seven-week companion, you will learn how to apply each of those principles to your everyday life and become the person that God uniquely created you to be. The lessons in this book will equip you to be a better spouse, a better parent, a better leader, and an inspiration to everyone you know! The principles are simple, but applying them to your daily life will have a profound effect on every situation you face: One: Keep pressing forward. Two: Be positive toward yourself. Three: Develop better relationships. Four: Form better habits. Five: Embrace the place where you are. Six: Develop your inner life. Seven: Stay passionate about life.
(Available at Joel Osteen Ministries and ChristianBook.com)
Become a Better You Book and Journal
Weaving biblical lessons and personal stories, Osteen's bestseller reveals seven simple action steps that will help you realize your purpose and destiny---and achieve lifelong happiness! The companion journal offers meaningful exercises, uplifting quotes, guiding questions, and space for reflection that will help you integrate the book's principles into your daily life.
(Available at Joel Osteen Ministries and ChristianBook.com)
The Rise of Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen
With no college degree, seminary training, or ministerial experience, Joel Osteen took the reins of his father's Texas ministry in 1999---and today pastors the largest church in America! Discover the inside story of his amazing gallop to success in Young's biography of the devoted man who preaches that God truly does work miracles!
(Available at Joel Osteen Ministries and ChristianBook.com)
Your Best Life Now
Pastor Joel Osteen realizes that deep within you is a voice that doubts your self-worth and does its best to destroy your dreams. For this reason, he is committed to helping you exchange your insecurities for a godly self-image and discover your personal strengths and abilities so that you can live Your Best Life Now. Through the ministry of Lakewood Church, Pastor Osteen has already helped millions of people advance down the road towards health, abundance, significance and success. Don't miss this opportunity to let him lead you down the road to Your Best Life Now.
(Available at Joel Osteen Ministries and ChristianBook.com)
Your Best Life Now for Moms
How can you achieve your full potential as a mother? Osteen's seven principles speak to your heart as you seek to fulfill God's calling! Take the first steps toward building a faith-filled relationship with your children by enlarging your vision, developing a healthy self-image, letting go of the past, choosing to be happy, and more.
(Available at Joel Osteen Ministries and ChristianBook.com)
Starting Your Best Life Now: A Guide for New Adventures and Stages on Your Journey
Whether it's a graduation, marriage, or a career or job change, Starting Your Best Life Now is a primer for your most successful new beginning. In it, Joel helps you find meaning and joy in starting afresh with his seven successful principles: Enlarge your vision. Develop a healthy self-image. Discover the power of your thoughts and words. Let go of the past. Find strength through adversity. Live to give. Choose to be happy.
(Available at Joel Osteen Ministries and ChristianBook.com)
Your Best Life Now Study Guide: 7 Steps to Living At Your Full Potential
With the help and encouragement of a small group setting, you can delve more deeply into the personal applications of Joel Osteen's bestselling book, Your Best Life Now. The seven principles that show how to attain your dreams and goals make up the seven weeks of discovery questions and reflections in this workbook. Working through them on your own, with a group, or mentor may be one of the most important things you do this year.
(Available at Joel Osteen Ministries and ChristianBook.com)
Your Best Life Now Devotional
Achieve your full potential every day with guidance from this devotional! Following up on his phenomenal bestseller, Pastor Osteen offers you 90 days of motivational thoughts, inspirational messages, and Scripture verses to strengthen your faith in God, in others, and yourself. Overcome obstacles and experience a life blessed with health, abundance, and victory!
(Available at Joel Osteen Ministries and ChristianBook.com)
Your Best Life Now Journal: A Guide for Reaching Your Full Potential
How do you break out and experience your full potential? The answer lies in a simple yet profound process to change the way you think about your life and help you accomplish what's truly important. In this seven-week companion to his book Your Best Life Now, Joel Osteen provides the ultimate tool to help you reach these goals. With this journal you are equipped to experience victory, joy, and satisfaction every day!
(Available at Joel Osteen Ministries and ChristianBook.com)
Your Best Life Now - Audiobook on CD
Do you often dream of living a more rewarding life? Do you aspire to a better job, a stronger marriage, a happier home? Do you wish for more gratifying relationships with your family and friends? Perhaps you simply want to accomplish more and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
If you are like most people, you have written these goals and dreams on a list that's titled "Tomorrow's To Do." You can't pursue what's truly important to you because your day is crowded by the demands of mundane routines and other people's priorities. How do you break out and experience the full potential that God intended you to have? The answer lies in a simple yet profound process to change the way you think about your life and help you accomplish what's truly important. In this straightforward guide, Joel Osteen gives you a way to improve your life for good and help you experience victory, joy, and satisfaction every day! Read by the author. Abridged. 5 CDs. 6 hours.
Scriptures and Meditations for Your Best Life Now
Since the publication of Your Best Life Now, people have been discovering what it means to live happy, successful, fulfilled lives. In his book, Joel Osteen reassured us that living life to our fullest potential is within our reach. His seven step plan taught us how to make the most of our lives by realizing how a healthy self-image and a vision for the future are just some of the keys to unlocking our potential.
Now Joel offers a book of Scriptures and meditations based on his seven steps that allow readers to truly focus on the primary themes of Your Best Life Now.
Your Best Life Now - Audiobook on Cassette
If you are like most people, you have written these goals and dreams on a list that's titled "Tomorrow's To Do." You can't pursue what's truly important to you because your day is crowded by the demands of mundane routines and other people's priorities. How do you break out and experience the full potential that God intended you to have? The answer lies in a simple yet profound process to change the way you think about your life and help you accomplish what's truly important. In this straightforward guide, Joel Osteen gives you a way to improve your life for good and help you experience victory, joy, and satisfaction every day! Read by the author.
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