Joel Osteen Biography
Joel Osteen is an American pastor, televangelist, businessman, and author. He is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, and author of the New York Times bestselling book Your Best Life Now.
Joel Osteen Career
After graduating from public Humble High School in 1981, Osteen went on to study radio and television communications at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but he did not earn a degree there. In 1983, Osteen received his ordination through his father’s church, and on January 17, 1999, he delivered his inaugural sermon. He took over as Lakewood Church’s senior pastor on October 3. The Compaq Center, which once housed the NBA Houston Rockets and the AHL Houston Aeros, was purchased by Lakewood Church in 2003, and renovations were made. Osteen claims that over 100 countries watched Lakewood Church’s weekly service TV program in 2008.
Osteen was listed as one of the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2006 by Barbara Walters. John McCain, a previous presidential contender, referred to Osteen as his favorite inspirational writer. In 2010, President Barack Obama invited the Osteen family to a breakfast at the White House on Easter. Before speaking, Osteen records his prepared remarks and listens to them again on tape. His sermons have come under fire for being perceived as self-serving and showing a weak command of the Bible. Osteen claims that rather than focusing on sin, he prefers to emphasize God’s goodness and leading an obedient life. He also attempts to impart Biblical principles in an approachable manner, stressing the importance of love and having a positive outlook.
Joel Osteen Age
Osteen was born on March 5, 1963, in Houston, Texas, United States. He is 60 years old as of 2023 and he celebrates his birthday on the 5th of March every year.
Joel Osteen Height and Weight
Osteen stands at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.82 meters) tall and weighs 76 kg (168 lbs).
Joel Osteen Family
Osteen is the youngest of John Osteen and Dolores (“Dodie”) Pilgrim’s six children, having been born in Houston. Osteen is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church, which was established in the back of an old feed store by his father, a former Southern Baptist pastor. He established Lakewood’s television program in 1982 after returning to Houston, and he produced his father’s televised sermons for 17 years, until his father’s heart attack in January 1999. His older siblings, Paul, Lisa, and Tamara, and his younger sister, April, were also involved in full-time ministry in 2002. His half-brother Justin was doing missionary work.
Joel Osteen Wife and Children
Osteen married his wife, Victoria Iloff, on April 4, 1987. Victoria later became co-pastor of Lakewood Church. The couple has a son, Jonathan (born April 20, 1995), and a daughter, Alexandra (born November 9, 1998).
Joel Osteen Salary
As senior pastor, Osteen claims he receives no salary from the church, which has an annual budget of $70 million and instead depends on book sales revenue.
Joel Osteen Net Worth
Osteen has an estimated net worth of about $50 Million – $100 Million which he has earned through his career as a pastor, televangelist, businessman, and author.
What Does Joel Osteen’s Son Do?
Osteen’s son, Jonathan Osteen, is a singer, songwriter and music producer. He is also the leader of the Lakewood Young Adults ministry, which released its debut album, “Live in the Wonderful,” in 2016. Jonathan wrote the title track, “Etched,” “In the Name of Love,” and “Become.”
Joel Osteen House
Osteen resides with his family in a $10.5 million-plus mansion spanning 17,000 square feet in River Oaks.
Joel Osteen Movies and TV Shows
- Friends of God: A Road Trip with Alexandra Pelosi (2007)
- Words of Art (2014)
- I Hope You Dance: The Power and Spirit of Song (2015)
- The Star (2017)
Joel Osteen Books
Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, Osteen’s debut book, came out in October 2004 and peaked at number one on the New York Times Best Seller list. In October 2007, he published Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day, his second book. With a first printing of three million copies, it also debuted at the top of The New York Times Best Seller list. According to Osteen, the book is more about relationships than it is about staying put in life. Osteen has written more than eighteen books in addition to those two:
- Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential (2004)
- Daily Readings from Your Best Life Now: 90 Devotions for Living at Your Full Potential (2005)
- Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day (2007)
- Your Best Life Begins Each Morning: Devotions to Start Every New Day of the Year (2008)
- It’s Your Time : Activate Your Faith, Achieve Your Dreams, and Increase in God’s Favor (2009)
- It’s Your Time: Finding Favor, Restoration, and Abundance in Your Life Every Day (2009)
- Everyday a Friday: How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week (2011)
- I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak Over Your Life (2012)
- Break Out!: 5 Keys to Go Beyond Your Barriers and Live an Extraordinary Life (2013)
- You Can You Will: 8 Undeniable Qualities of a Winner (2014)
- Fresh Start: the New You Begins Today (2015)
- The Power of I Am: Two Words That Will Change Your Life Today (2015)
- Think Better, Live Better: A Victorious Life Begins in Your Mind (2016)
- Blessed in the Darkness: How All Things Are Working for Your Good (2017)
- Empty Out the Negative (2017)
- Next Level Thinking: 10 Powerful Thoughts for a Successful and Abundant Life (2018)
- The Power of Favor: The Force That Will Take You Where You Can’t Go on Your Own (2019)
- The Abundance Mind-Set: Success Starts Here (2020)
- Peaceful on Purpose: The Power to Remain Calm, Strong, and Confident in Every Season (2021)
- You Are Stronger than You Think: Unleash the Power to Go Bigger, Go Bold, and Go Beyond What Limits You (2021)
- Rule Your Day: 6 Keys to Maximizing Your Success and Accelerating Your Dreams (2022)
- Your Greater is Coming: Discover the Path to Your Bigger, Better, and Brighter Future (2022)
- 15 Ways to Live Longer and Healthier: Life-Changing Strategies for Greater Energy, a More Focused Mind, and a Calmer Soul (2023)
- Psalms and Proverbs for Everyday Life: 100 Daily Devotions (2023)
- Believe: Hope Has Your Name on It (2023)
- Speak the Blessing: Send Your Words in the Direction You Want Your Life to Go (2024)
Joel Osteen Social Media Platform
Osteen is very active on his Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages. He has 10.1M followers on Twitter 5.3M followers on Instagram, and 26.8M followers on Facebook.