Biography of Joel Osteen

 

Joel Osteen is an American pastor and televangelist based in Houston, Texas, United States. He is one of the prominent figures in the Word of Faith movement. He was born on March 5, 1963, in Houston, Texas, to John Osteen and Dolores Pilgrim. His father, a former Southern Baptist pastor, founded Lakewood Church in the back of an old feed store in 1959.

Osteen attended Humble High School, a public school in Humble, Texas, and graduated in 1981. After high school, he enrolled at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the largest Christian charismatic university in the world. He studied radio and television communications but did not graduate.

Early Career in Ministry

After a year at Oral Roberts University, Osteen returned home and suggested to his parents the idea of setting up a television ministry for Lakewood Church. His father was initially hesitant, wary of the growing number of televangelists who used the medium to solicit donations. However, he eventually gave Osteen approval under one condition: Lakewood Church would never use its media platform to ask for financial contributions.

For the next 15 years, Osteen directed and produced Lakewood Church’s weekly Sunday services, which aired on a local Houston station and later on the Family Channel, a cable network. He also traveled with his father—sometimes as far as India—to assist in the church’s missionary outreach. However, he avoided taking an active speaking role.

Stepping Into His Father's Shoes

Joel Osteen’s father, John Osteen, often encouraged him to preach, but he repeatedly declined. His mother, Dolores, and sister, Lisa, regularly delivered sermons, but he chose to work behind the scenes.

By early 1999, his father’s health was deteriorating due to heart and kidney problems. One Sunday, he asked Joel to deliver the sermon, but Joel initially refused. However, a few minutes later, he called his father back and agreed to do it.

Nervous and wearing a pair of his father's shoes, Joel Osteen preached before 6,000 worshippers that Sunday. Eleven days later, his father passed away from a heart attack, and Joel was named the new pastor of Lakewood Church.

Growth of Lakewood Church

Under Osteen’s leadership, Lakewood Church’s attendance began to grow rapidly. He combined his father's message of self-improvement through faith with personal anecdotes, making his sermons relatable and engaging.

Over the next five years, Lakewood Church expanded exponentially, outgrowing the large facility his father had built in 1987. The church introduced ministries for teens, singles, and seniors, as well as support groups for various challenges, including marital infidelity. They even offered free financial counseling services.

Osteen’s Sunday sermons were broadcast weekly on religious channels like Trinity Broadcasting Network and secular networks such as ABC Family, USA, and BET. He also launched his own show, "Joel Osteen," and began touring major U.S. cities, hosting one-night speaking engagements that drew large crowds.

Becoming a Bestselling Author

Osteen’s growing influence led to the publication of his first book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential.

Published by Warner Faith, a subsidiary of Time-Warner, in October 2004, the book quickly climbed the New York Times bestseller list in November 2004. It became one of the fastest-growing nonfiction books in publishing history.

In 2005, Lakewood Church moved into its new home, the Compaq Center, the former arena of the Houston Rockets. Today, the church attracts a weekly attendance of approximately 43,500 worshippers, with millions more tuning in via television to hear Osteen’s sermons.

Personal Life

Joel Osteen is married to Victoria Osteen, whom he met when he stopped by the jewelry store her father owned. They got married in 1987, two years after their first meeting.

The couple has two children, Alexandria and Jonathan, both of whom actively participate in Sunday services. The family resides in Tanglewood, Houston.

As of now, Joel Osteen is 61 years old.

Joel Osteen's journey from working behind the scenes to becoming one of the most influential pastors in the world is a testament to faith, perseverance, and divine calling. His positive, uplifting messages continue to inspire millions worldwide.

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