Joel Scott osteen is famous as an American pastor, televangelist, and author, who was born on March 05, 1963, in Houston, Texas. Born to John Osteen and Dolores Pilgrim, he is one of six children along with a step-brother. He married Victoria Iloff in 1987 and has been blessed with two children. He is the current senior pastor of the Lakewood Church which was founded by his father John in 1959. Although Joel attended university, he neither graduated nor received a degree from the divinity school.
Life and Bio of Joel Osteen
He had declined his father’s urges to work as a preacher and preferred working behind the curtains as he did not want the attention. However, he later accepted his father’s suggestion and preached his first sermon. Joel began preaching regularly after the shocking death of his father. He was named as the senior pastor in 1999. It is his achievement, that Lakewood’s attendance soon gained popularity and grew to 43,000 from 5,000.
His presence was of so much worth to his millions of followers that the Lakewood Church soon gained popularity under his leadership. He developed the church’s media in many ways like buying billboards and other venues. He also seemed fit to double the budget of the church for television airtime. Not only this but one can also see his brilliant mind in many things he did and achieved.
He has attracted millions of followers with his simple but positive sermons and his best-selling books. He had released his first book, “Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential” hit the stands in 2004 and soon made its name at the top of the New York Times Best Selling List.
Joel Osteen Net Worth
Over the years, Joel Osteen has attained a whopping new worth of $100 million. He has earned this net worth from book advances, book royalties, calendars, speaking fees, and other merchandise. He is the host of the Joel Osteen Show. He has not taken a single penny from his church since 2005.
His goodness and simple life can be seen in a way that keep away from controversial topics like marriage, politics, homosexuality, and abortion. However, he is not completely aloof from worldly affairs and has shown his stand and support in times of great need.
Nicknamed the “Smiling Preacher”, Joel Osteen believes that God wants us to live a better life. Staying away from orthodox and dense theories, he has always preached positive things and is continuing to do so even now. Although he has been criticized by those who see him as a motivational speaker rather than for who he is, Osteen has always responded positively and adamantly stands on his belief in the goodness of God. He spends much of his time writing in Lakewood. One should not be surprised by the millions of followers that he already has and the still increasing number. What more can be better for his fans than following such a great personality!