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Who is Joel Osteen?
Joel Osteen is an American televangelist, pastor, and author who is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. He is one of the most popular Christian preachers in the world, with a weekly television audience of more than 10 million people. Osteen’s books have sold more than 70 million copies, and he has been featured on the covers of Time, Newsweek, and Forbes.
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II. Early Life
Joel Osteen was born on March 5, 1963, in Houston, Texas. He is the son of John Osteen, who founded Lakewood Church in 1959. Osteen grew up in the church and was ordained as a minister in 1987.
After his father’s death in 1999, Osteen became the senior pastor of Lakewood Church. He quickly grew the church’s attendance from 5,000 to over 50,000 people. Osteen’s sermons are often broadcast on television and radio, and he has written several books, including “Your Best Life Now” (2004) and “Become a Better You” (2010).
III. Ministry
Joel Osteen began his ministry as the associate pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, in 1999. After the death of his father, John Osteen, in 2005, Joel Osteen became the senior pastor of Lakewood Church.
Under Joel Osteen’s leadership, Lakewood Church has grown from a congregation of about 5,000 people to a congregation of over 43,000 people. Lakewood Church is now one of the largest churches in the United States.
Joel Osteen’s ministry is based on the principles of positive thinking and prosperity gospel. He believes that God wants people to be happy and successful, and that they can achieve their goals by believing in themselves and trusting God.
Joel Osteen’s ministry has been criticized by some for its focus on material wealth and its lack of emphasis on social justice. However, Osteen’s ministry has also been praised for its positive message and its ability to reach people who are not traditionally religious.
Joel Osteen’s books, “Your Best Life Now” and “Become a Better You,” have been bestsellers. He has also hosted a television show, “The Joel Osteen Show,” since 2004.
IV. Controversy
Joel Osteen has been the subject of controversy throughout his career. Some of the most notable controversies include:
- In 2006, Osteen was criticized for not taking a stand on the issue of homosexuality.
- In 2011, Osteen was criticized for not opening Lakewood Church to Hurricane Sandy evacuees.
- In 2017, Osteen was criticized for his lavish lifestyle while his church was struggling financially.
Osteen has responded to these criticisms by saying that he is a pastor, not a politician, and that his job is to preach the gospel, not to take sides on political issues. He has also said that he opened Lakewood Church to Hurricane Sandy evacuees as soon as it was safe to do so, and that he has never been extravagant with his spending.
Despite the controversies, Osteen remains one of the most popular pastors in the United States. He has a large following on social media and his books have sold millions of copies. He continues to preach a message of hope and encouragement to his followers.
V. Personal Life
Joel Osteen is married to Victoria Osteen, who is also a pastor at Lakewood Church. They have two children, Jonathan and Alexandra.
Joel Osteen lives in Houston, Texas, with his family.
Joel Osteen is a devout Christian and often speaks about his faith in his sermons and books. He is a proponent of the prosperity gospel, which teaches that God wants people to be healthy, wealthy, and successful.
Joel Osteen has been criticized for his wealth and his teachings on the prosperity gospel. Some people believe that he is out of touch with the struggles of everyday people and that his teachings are a form of abuse.
However, Joel Osteen has also been praised for his positive message and his ability to reach people from all walks of life. He has been called a role model for Christians and a source of inspiration for people around the world.
VI. Awards and Accomplishments
Joel Osteen has received numerous awards and accomplishments throughout his career, including:
* In 2005, he was named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World.”
* In 2006, he received the Horatio Alger Award for his outstanding achievements in life and his dedication to helping others.
* In 2007, he was named one of the “100 Most Powerful People in the World” by Forbes magazine.
* In 2009, he was awarded the Keeper of the Dream Award by the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.
* In 2010, he was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine for the second time.
* In 2011, he received the Humanitarian Award from the National Religious Broadcasters.
* In 2012, he was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine for the third time.
* In 2013, he received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Association of Evangelicals.
* In 2014, he was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine for the fourth time.
* In 2015, he received the Vox Populi Award from the National Religious Broadcasters.
* In 2016, he was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine for the fifth time.
* In 2017, he was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine for the sixth time.
* In 2018, he was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine for the seventh time.
* In 2019, he was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine for the eighth time.
* In 2020, he was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine for the ninth time.
* In 2021, he was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine for the tenth time.
Osteen has also been the recipient of numerous honorary doctorates from universities around the world.
VII. Books
Joel Osteen has written several books, including:
- Your Best Life Now (2004)
- Become a Better You (2007)
- Everyday is a New Beginning (2009)
- Live Your Dream (2011)
- Think Better, Live Better (2013)
- The Power of Positive Thinking (2015)
- Breakthrough (2017)
- Your New Dream (2019)
These books have been bestsellers, and have been translated into dozens of languages. They offer advice on how to live a happy and fulfilling life, based on Osteen’s Christian beliefs.
VIII. Social Media
Joel Osteen is active on social media, using platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share his messages of hope and inspiration with his followers. He has over 10 million followers on Twitter, over 20 million followers on Facebook, and over 10 million followers on Instagram.
Osteen’s social media posts often feature quotes from his sermons, photos of him and his family, and announcements about upcoming events. He also uses social media to respond to critics and to share his thoughts on current events.
Osteen’s social media presence has been a source of both controversy and praise. Some critics have accused him of using social media to promote his own agenda and to avoid addressing difficult issues. Others have praised him for using social media to reach a wider audience with his message of hope and inspiration.
Despite the controversy, there is no doubt that Osteen’s social media presence has been a major factor in his success. He has used social media to build a large following and to connect with his fans on a personal level.
IX. Quotes
Here are some quotes by Joel Osteen:
“God wants you to be happy and successful.”
“You can have anything you want in life if you just help enough other people get what they want.”
“Don’t be afraid to step out in faith and try new things. God will always be with you.”
“The best way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
“If you want to change your life, you have to change your thinking.”
“You are not defined by your past. You are defined by your future.”
“God has a plan for your life, and it is a good plan.”
“Don’t be afraid to dream big. God is bigger than your dreams.”
“The world needs your gifts and talents. Don’t be afraid to share them.”
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
“Love is the most powerful force in the world.”
“Laughter is the best medicine.”
“Every day is a gift. Make the most of it.”