Joel Osteen is an American pastor, televangelist, businessman and author based in Houston, Texas, United States.
He is known for his weekly televised services and several best-selling books, and is one of the more prominent figures associated with prosperity theology and the Word of Faith movement.
Osteen was born in Houston, Texas, to John Osteen and Dolores Pilgrim, and is one of six children.
He graduated from Humble High School in 1981 and attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he studied radio and television communications but did not graduate.
In 1982, he returned to Houston and founded Lakewood’s television program, producing his father’s televised sermons for 17 years until January 1999, when his father died of a heart attack.
Osteen was ordained through his father’s church in 1983 and preached his first sermon on January 17, 1999.
By October 3, he was the new senior pastor of Lakewood Church.
In 2003, Lakewood Church acquired the Compaq Center, former home of the NBA Houston Rockets and the AHL Houston Aeros, and subsequently renovated it.
According to Osteen, in 2008, Lakewood Church’s weekly service TV program was viewed in more than 100 countries.
Net worth | $100 million |
Date of birth | March 5, 1963 |
Profession | Pastor, televangelist, businessman, author |
Nationality | American |
Background
Osteen was born on March 5, 1963, in Houston, Texas, to John Osteen and Dodie Pilgrim.
His father was a Southern Baptist pastor who founded Lakewood Church, of which Joel is the current senior pastor.
Osteen’s mother is the uncontested matriarch of Lakewood Church and its international TV ministry.
He has five siblings, including Lisa Osteen, who is also involved in the ministry.
Osteen attended Oral Roberts University but did not graduate.
He began his career in the television ministry and took over as senior pastor of Lakewood Church after his father’s death in 1999.
Osteen’s message is often associated with the prosperity gospel and the Word of Faith movement, although he argues that his teachings go beyond these labels.
Net worth
Osteen has an estimated net worth of $100 million.
He became wealthy primarily through book deals, royalties, and speaking engagements.
His best-selling books, such as Your Best Life Now and Become A Better You, have sold millions of copies, earning him substantial advances and royalties.
Osteen reportedly makes around $55 million annually from book sales and speaking engagements, contributing significantly to his estimated net worth of $100 million.
Additionally, despite not accepting a salary from Lakewood Church, where he serves as the pastor, Osteen’s income is derived from various sources like book advances, royalties, calendars, speaking fees and merchandise sales.
His success in the media, marketing, and branding aspects of his ministry, along with the growth of Lakewood Church’s attendance and global reach, have also played a significant role in his financial prosperity.
Career
Before becoming a pastor, Osteen worked behind the scenes as a producer for the church’s broadcasts, helping his father expand Lakewood’s national television ministry.
Known for his amiable and youthful-looking appearance, Osteen delivers upbeat messages emphasizing his belief that “God wants us to have a better life.”
This approach has resonated with the public but also drawn criticism from those who consider him a motivational speaker peddling a diluted interpretation of Christianity.
Under Osteen’s leadership, Lakewood Church grew into the largest and fastest-growing congregation in the U.S.
He significantly increased the church’s media presence, expanded television airtime, and negotiated with networks for optimal time slots, targeting major media markets.
By 2004, his weekly television broadcast reached over 100 countries and became the top-rated inspirational program on air.
His book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, was a best seller.
In 2005, Osteen embarked on a 15-city U.S. tour, preaching to large crowds at each stop.
That year, Lakewood opened a new 16,000-seat megachurch in Houston’s Compaq Center.
Weekly attendance at Lakewood rose from 6,000 in 1999 to over 50,000 by 2016.
By 2018, the televised services attracted an estimated 10 million viewers weekly.
Osteen’s message of hope, healing, and forgiveness has transformed lives worldwide.
He and his wife, Victoria, lead this generation with a practical message that is transforming lives.
Preaching style
Osteen’s preaching style is characterized by his laid-back and approachable demeanor, as well as his focus on feel-good messaging over fiery sermons.
He is known for his best-selling book Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential and his television program, which is viewed by millions of people around the world.
Osteen’s teaching is rooted in Pentecostalism, and he emphasizes the importance of physical healing and wellness as part of God’s plan for believers.
He also teaches that God wants believers to be blessed with material success and prosperity, a view that has been criticized by some as being at odds with biblical teachings about humility, sacrifice, and the dangers of materialism.
Osteen’s message is often criticized for downplaying the sinful nature of humanity and the need for repentance, and for promoting a “cotton-candy theology” that focuses on making people feel good rather than addressing the hard truths of the Christian faith.
Books
Osteen is a well-known American televangelist, author, and pastor who has written several books, including Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day and Daily Readings from Become a Better You.
Others are Every Day a Friday: How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week, I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak Over Your Life, Break Out!: 5 Keys to Go Beyond Your Barriers and Live an Extraordinary Life, The Power of I Am: Two Words That Will Change Your Life Today and Next Level Thinking: 10 Powerful Thoughts for a Successful and Abundant Life.
These books have been influential in his ministry and have contributed significantly to his net worth.
Book sales
Osteen’s book sales are a significant source of his income, with his first book, Your Best Life Now, selling over 8 million copies and his second book, Become A Better You, selling 4 million copies.
The sales of these books, along with his other ventures such as speaking fees and merchandise, generate more than $70 million annually in total revenue.
However, it is important to note that Osteen does not take a salary from his church, Lakewood Church and instead relies on these other sources of income.
Philanthropic works
Osteen is involved in philanthropic efforts through various initiatives.
Despite criticisms regarding his wealth accumulation and preaching style, Osteen and his wife are engaged in charitable activities.
They support Feed the Children, a charity aiming to provide food to starving children, particularly in third-world countries.
Additionally, Osteen has partnered with World Vision to sponsor children, emphasizing the impact of investing in others and transforming communities.
Through ongoing support from donors, Osteen’s ministry reaches millions through television broadcasts, podcasts and outreaches, sharing messages of hope and encouragement.
While Osteen has faced scrutiny for his prosperity gospel preaching and handling of wealth, his involvement in charitable endeavors demonstrates a commitment to philanthropy and helping those in need.
Real estate
Osteen, the well-known prosperity gospel televangelist, preacher, and best-selling author, owns two lavish properties in Houston, Texas.
His main residence is a $10.5 million mansion in the wealthy suburb of River Oaks, spanning 17,000 square feet on 1.86 acres, featuring 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 3 elevators, a pool and a pool house.
Additionally, Osteen and his wife own a second $2.9 million mansion in Tanglewood, Houston.
These opulent homes reflect Osteen’s significant wealth, estimated at around $100 million, primarily derived from book deals.
Despite criticism for his extravagant lifestyle, Osteen defends his wealth as a blessing from God, emphasizing his charitable giving and the importance of being a blessing to others.
Osteen’s properties are part of a trend where pastors and televangelists own multi-million dollar homes, showcasing a blend of luxury living and societal influence within the realm of religious leadership.
Personal life
Osteen is married to Victoria, and they have two children together, Jonathan and Alexandra. Jonathan Osteen, born in 1995, is a University of Texas graduate and has been involved in Lakewood Church activities.
Alexandra Osteen, born in 1998, is a talented singer and a student at the University of Texas at Austin.
Victoria is the co-pastor of Lakewood Church and has been married to Joel Osteen for over three decades.
She is also the founder of Lakewood Church Women’s Ministry and has authored several books.
There have been rumors about Osteen getting divorced, but there is no truth to those rumors, as he and his wife remain committed to each other.
Lakewood Church
Lakewood Church has a rich history that began in humble origins.
The church was founded by John Osteen and his second wife, Dodie, on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1959, in a tent.
The church then moved to an abandoned feed store in northeast Houston.
Osteen was a Southern Baptist minister but, after experiencing baptism in the Holy Spirit, he founded Lakewood as a church for charismatic Baptists.
The church soon dropped Baptist from its name and became nondenominational.
In 1961, John Osteen left the church and was called to missions.
Marvin Crow became the pastor in his absence until John returned in 1969.
In 1972, Lakewood broke ground for a new building that seated seven hundred people.
By 1979, attendance was over five thousand, and the church was becoming prominent among Pentecostals and charismatics.
John and Dodie created and hosted Lakewood’s weekly television program, which could be seen in one hundred countries worldwide.
On February 15, 1987, a groundbreaking was held for a new eight-thousand–seat sanctuary, which was completed in April 1988.
Following John Osteen’s death on January 23, 1999, his youngest son, Joel Osteen, became the pastor that October.
In 2001, Tropical Storm Allison caused flooding in the Houston area. Lakewood Church was opened as a shelter to approximately five thousand displaced persons.
Under Joel Osteen, Lakewood’s congregation increased almost fivefold.
Attendance increased to thirty thousand weekly, prompting a move from its location at 7317 East Houston Road to a larger facility.
In late 2003, the church signed a long-term lease with the city of Houston to acquire the Compaq Center, a 29-year-old former sports arena.
Lakewood Church relocated to the Compaq Center on July 16, 20052.
It is a 16,800-seat facility in southwest downtown Houston along U.S. Highway 59, that has twice the capacity of its former sanctuary.
The church was required to pay $11.8 million in rent in advance for the first thirty years of the lease2. Lakewood renovated the new campus at an estimated cost of $100 million.
The church received $15 million after selling the former building to New Light Christian Center Church.
On March 31, 2010, the Houston City Council voted 13–2 to sell the property to Lakewood for $7.5 million.
Osteen announced that Lakewood Church had paid off the $100 million dollar loan used to renovate the campus on January 14, 2024.
The church believes that the entire Bible is inspired by God, and the church bases its teachings on this belief.
The church also believes in the Trinity, and recognizes the death of Christ on the cross and resurrection.
The church practices the following, believing them to be commanded in the Bible: – The pursuit of Salvation: Each service, the church encourages attendees to pursue salvation and to deepen their relationship with God.
Lakewood Church is a non-denominational evangelical Christian megachurch located in Houston, Texas.
It is among the largest congregations in the United States, averaging about 45,000 attendees per week.
The church is known for its charismatic worship style, positive messages and extensive community outreach programs.
Hurricane Harvey controversy
The controversy surrounding Lakewood Church and Osteen during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 started when the church initially decided not to open its doors to evacuees due to flooding.
The church, which can accommodate over 16,000 people, stated that it was inaccessible and directed displaced residents to other shelters.
This led to criticism on social media, with users questioning the church’s intentions and accusing it of prioritizing its own safety over helping those in need.
However, the church later clarified that it was prepared to house people once shelters reached capacity and that it had always been open as a distribution center for those in need.
The church also released photos showing flooding around the building, which had been the former home of the Houston Rockets.
Eventually, Lakewood Church opened its doors, providing shelter, food and essentials to anyone seeking it.
The controversy was fueled by the perception that the church, which is known for its prosperity gospel teachings, was not living up to its beliefs by not immediately opening its doors to those in need during a time of crisis.
Despite the initial controversy, Lakewood Church was later honored by the city of Houston for its role in storm relief following Hurricane Harvey, with Osteen and his family and staff being recognized for their efforts in helping thousands of affected residents get back on their feet, including assisting in rehabbing flood-damaged homes.