Joel Osteen

Joel Scott Osteen, born March 5, 1963, in Houston, Texas, is an American pastor, televangelist, businessman, and author based in his hometown. He is best known for weekly televised services, several best-selling books, and his leadership of Lakewood Church. His public ministry belongs to an age shaped by broadcast religion, large church venues, online viewing, and the spread of prosperity theology and the Word of Faith movement, with which he is often associated.

Osteen grew up in a church family. He was one of six children of John Osteen and Dolores “Dodie” Pilgrim. His father, a former Southern Baptist pastor, founded Lakewood Church in the back of an old feed store. Joel graduated from Humble High School in 1981, then attended Oral Roberts University for one year as a radio and television communications student before leaving. He does not hold a divinity school degree, but his early training in media became central to his work.

In 1982, Osteen returned to Houston and founded Lakewood’s television program. He was ordained through his father’s church in 1983 and spent 17 years producing his father’s televised sermons. After John Osteen died of a heart attack in January 1999, Joel preached his first sermon on January 17 of that year. By October 3, 1999, he had become senior pastor of Lakewood Church. In 2003, the church acquired the Compaq Center, the former home of the NBA Houston Rockets and AHL Houston Aeros, and later renovated it for worship services.

Osteen’s preaching is known for its simple, positive tone. He memorizes his planned remarks and listens back to previous sermons on tape. He has said he focuses more on the goodness of God and on living an obedient life than on detailed preaching about sin, the devil, and hell. He teaches biblical principles in a direct way, with an emphasis on love, mercy, discipline, and a positive attitude. Critics have called his sermons self-serving and have questioned his command of Scripture, while other critics say his message promotes the prosperity gospel.

His ministry also includes large public events. Since 2004, Osteen and his wife, Victoria Osteen, have hosted Night of Hope events and an annual stadium event called “America’s Night of Hope” in the United States and abroad, combining contemporary Christian music with inspirational messages. In 2018, he hosted a Sunday Service event at Lakewood Church in collaboration with Kanye West, attended by 17,000 people and streamed by many more. During COVID-19, he held an Easter service with Mariah Carey and Tyler Perry.

Osteen married Victoria Iloff on April 4, 1987; she later became co-pastor of Lakewood Church. They have two children. He has generally avoided preaching on controversial issues such as gay marriage, abortion, and politics, though he has made public comments on homosexuality, Mormonism, and Israel. His wealth, Lakewood’s finances, and the church’s response after Hurricane Harvey have drawn scrutiny. Even so, his words continue to reach a wide audience because they are plain, hopeful, and aimed at people looking for mercy, encouragement, and a sense that they can do better.