JOEL OSTEEN

Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen 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. 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 a paying 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, the tour expanded 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.

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.

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 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. 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 through Lakewood, is also impacting the lives of people in over 100 countries.

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Pastor Osteen's page

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