Joel Osteen

Joel Scott Osteen (born in Houston, Texas March 5, 1963)is an American preacher, televangelist, author, and the Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church, the largest church in the United States, in Houston, Texas. His ministry is seen by over 7 million broadcast media viewers weekly and over 20 million monthly in over 100 nations around the world. He has been widely nicknamed "The Smiling Preacher". His first book, Your Best Life Now, which was released by Time Warner in 2004, debuted at the top of the The New York Times Best Seller list, and has sold more than 4 million copies. His next four books, Become a Better You, It’s Your Time, Every Day A Friday, and I Declare, have all also been #1 national bestsellers. On April 4, 1987 Osteen married Victoria Iloff.

Joel Osteen Executive Produces Netflix’s Newest Biblical Epic ‘Mary’ Starring Anthony Hopkins
Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church is the executive producer of Mary, a film being called a Biblical epic. The film retells the story of the immaculate conception of Jesus and the amazing journey shared by Mary and Joseph in Jesus' early years from Mary's point of view. It will be available to watch on Netflix just in time for the Christmas season, beginning on December 6th. Israeli actress Noa Cohen (Silent Game, 8200) will star as Jesus' mother, Mary, while Israeli actor Ido Tako (The Vanishing Soldier, Sky) will play the role of Mary's husband, Joseph. American actor Anthony Hopkins (The Father, The Silence of the Lambs) will play King Herod. These are just a few of the talented cast members who are involved in the Mary movie, according to Netflix.
The film was directed by D.J. Caruso, who studied Television Production at Pepperdine University and interned at Disney Studios. A few of his directing credits include Taking Lives (2004), Disturbia (2007), and Eagle Eye (2008), according to the IMDB. (Crosswalk 10/17/24) READMORE>>>>>

Singer Alexandra Osteen Embraces Family Legacy While Proclaiming ‘the Hope of Jesus’or Alexandra Osteen, growing up in a megachurch and being raised by parents who are recognized around the globe felt, surprisingly, normal. The daughter of Lakewood Church's Joel and Victoria Osteen, Alexandra has made a name for herself in recent years as a worship leader at the Houston congregation, as well as being a powerful voice for Lakewood Music, which released its new album, Oh How Worthy, this month.
"They've always just been my parents, and I could brag on them for days on end," Alexandra Osteen told Crosswalk Headlines. "They're great parents, and who they are on stage is who they are at home."
Lakewood Church is the fourth largest congregation in the United States, drawing 45,000 attendees each week and millions more tuning into its worship services worldwide on television and online. Alexandra was about 7 when the congregation moved into the former Summit/Compaq Center, the former home of the NBA's Houston Rockets.
(Crosswalk 9/18/24) READMORE>>>>>

November 6, 2023

Zorek Richards

This is the selling point people like Joel Osteen give to their congregation:
The scripture says in Malachi, “When you tithe your income, when you’re generous, when you put God first place, He will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that you cannot contain.” That doesn’t just mean that you’ll have overflow; it means you can’t contain it in your generation. It’s going to flow down to the next generation and the next. Your obedience, your faithfulness, your generosity is not just going to cause you to see God’s goodness, but you’re impacting future generations? Rather convenient to claim they must give but may not see a return "for generations to come." So you just have to take on in faith that something other than your pastor getting rich that you will see a return of any kind on your investment.
The Osteens are getting rich from the return from their tithe and live in a mansion with a million dollar car collection. The Malachi verses are from the Old Testament and says there is a curse for people who do not tithe because they are "stealing" from God. However Jesus fulfilled the curse through the cross: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Gal 3)
The Osteens and a long list of others are preaching law and not gospel. Osteen is using his mega church to make himself wealthy.

Aug 24, 2023: Kingdomcity: Perth megachurch pastor Mark Varughese meets with millionaire US preacher Joel Osteen
On Tuesday, Varughese shared a post on Instagram showing his meeting with Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen.
In the image, Varughese and Osteen are shown with their arms around each other while smiling into the camera.

"While Joel and Victoria Osteen believe that our Lord’s command to let your light shine before others is to prosper and show everyone how God is blessing you, this is not what He was talking about at all. We are not to be conformed to this world, we are to unified with our brothers and sisters in Christ while not being yoked to professing Christians who are not genuine, and we are to lay up our treasure in heaven not here on earth. "
-- Mike Ratliff; Possessing The Treasure

Megachurches are getting even bigger as churches close across the country
"People tend to think of the Joel Osteens," he says, referring to the controversial televangelist at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, one of the largest congregations in the country, claiming some 45,000 members. "But really, that's a very small fraction of the number of 1,800 congregations" classified as megachurches, he says. "The average size is 3,500."
(Scott Neuman/NPR 7/14/23) Read More>>>>>

May 21, 2023: Current: Stanley Hauerwas on the Christian church: “My sense is that God is making us leaner.”
SH: You don’t. I don’t get why people go to hear Joel Osteen. I assume that those formations, which look to me like parodies of Christianity, cannot and will not sustain themselves. The people that are now going to hear Joel Osteen may work it out for the rest of their lives, but their children won’t go to hear Joel Osteen. And it’s a judgment on us that we don’t say that these people are simply shams.

Feb 9, 2022: Distractify: Who Is Joel Osteen's Mother? Here's the Truth About Dodie Osteen
Since he’s become so popular in his field, questions about his family life are bound to come to the surface. Here’s what you should know about his mother, Dolores Osteen, aka Dodie.

Feb 2022: Texas Monthly: Meanwhile, in Texas: A Plumber Finds Cash in a Church’s Bathroom Wall
A plumber found cash, checks, and money orders in a bathroom wall of the Houston church of celebrity pastor Joel Osteen that were connected to a $600,000 burglary in 2014

Dec 14, 2021: The Richest: Holy Millions: 10 Richest Celebrity Preachers In The World
Although he has never written or been cast in a movie, Joel Osteen is arguably the most celebrity-affiliated preacher there is to date. He has, however, been the executive producer for religious films, such as Mary, Mother of Christ (2012), and documentary series entitled Jesus: His Life for the History Channel. The Texas preacher is the owner, senior pastor, and main televangelist of Lakewood Church, along with his wife, Victoria Osteen.

Dec 2, 2021: Raw Story:'Bags and bags' of money found stashed in bathroom wall at Joel Osteen's megachurch: report
A plumbing repair at televangelist Joel Osteen's megachurch in Houston reportedly led to the discovery of "bags and bags" of cash and checks in a bathroom wall.

Aug 10, 2021: Caffeinated Thoughts: The Smooth Talking False Gospel
Michael Horton in the third chapter of Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church focuses on the Word of Faith movement (or prosperity gospel). In particular, he looks at the person who has embodied it successfully, Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. Osteen never uses the words, “sin” or “sinners” (by his own admission), and Horton points out he trivializes sin in a couple of ways. This can be seen not only in Osteen but other authors whose books currently grace the shelves of Christian bookstores.

Kanye West And Joel Osteen May Be Going On The Road Together
Kanye West might be planning to go on tour with televangelist Joel Osteen. The rapper and the Houston-based televangelist are considering taking Sunday Service on the road, including potential stops in Miami, Detroit and Los Angeles, TMZ reports. The duo will also conduct a service at Yankee Stadium next May, in which West will be in charge of the music while Osteen will handle the message. TMZ is also reporting that the next venue they will visit will be Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago in September. (Essence; 12/6/20) READMORE>>>>>

Aug 29, 2017: NBC News: Joel Osteen Defends Not Opening Lakewood Church in Houston to Harvey Victims
Houston preacher Joel Osteen's megachurch is now welcoming Texans displaced by Hurricane Harvey following an onslaught of social media criticism for initially staying shut. Osteen tweeted that his church is providing shelter for hurricane victims.

Aug 28, 2017: ABC News: Joel Osteen faces criticism on social media for closing Houston megachurch's doors amid Harvey
Joel Osteen, the famed pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, is defending himself after facing criticism on social media for not offering shelter at the megachurch to victims of Hurricane Harvey.
In a post on Twitter Saturday, Osteen said he was praying for those affected by the storm, which has dumped 20 to 40 inches of rain on the Houston area, with more on the way.

Aug 19, 2017: Indy Star: Joel Osteen in Indianapolis: Why the televangelist is so beloved and controversial
The preacher with the megawatt smile also takes in an estimated $43 million a year in collections at his church, according to the Orlando Sentinel, and viewers send millions more by mail even though he doesn't ask for money during his broadcasts.
The Christian Post interviewed Osteen in 2013 and asked him why he didn't take a salary.
"Not everybody can do that, it's not practical," Osteen said. "But for us, it was important to me because I don't need to. And I think it's important to because being in the public eye, there's a lot of scrutiny, and people think, well, he's just doing it for money. This way I can say I don't do any of this for money. God has blessed us in other ways. It's really part of my message in that, you honor God and you stay faithful, you don't know where God's going to take you. I don't tell people that God's going to make them rich. But you don't know how God's going to bless you."

Apr 4, 2016: Christian Post: Why Joel Osteen Should Preach About Hell
Tracy Smith is a correspondent for CBS News Sunday Morning. In a recent interview with Joel Osteen, Tracy made no attempt to be politically correct. Instead, she came right out and asked Joel about hell. That's right, the place of eternal punishment.

Mar 31, 2016: Christian News Network: Joel Osteen Says He’s Not ‘Cheating People’ by Neglecting to Preach on Repentance, Hell
Megachurch self-help author and motivational speaker Joel Osteen says that he doesn’t believe that he’s “cheating people” by neglecting to preach on repentance or eternal punishment as he opines that people “feel guilty enough.”

Aug 14, 2015: Charisma: Oprah, Osteen, Jakes and Homosexuality
Instead, what's of real interest to me is that Oprah Winfrey has actually been criticized by gay activists for having Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes on her network, since both of them affirmed on her airwaves that homosexual practice is sinful in God's sight. Yet she continues to welcome them to speak for her and does not consider them homophobic bigots.

May 22, 2015: Christian Post: Joel Osteen: Churches Need to Provide Spiritual Guidance That Military Caregivers Long For
With over 5.5 million Americans devoting their lives to caring for loved ones suffering from debilitating health conditions resulting from their military service, televangelist Joel Osteen says it is the church's role to ensure that military and veteran caregivers get the spiritual guidance they need to build their faith.

Apr 9, 2015: Christianity Today: Don't Believe Everything Twitter Says About That Lifeway Blacklist
Joel Osteen, William P. Young, and Joyce Meyer are three of the biggest names in Christian publishing. None of their titles are sold through Lifeway Christian Resources.

Mar 25, 2015: Christian Post: Joel Osteen Had His First Date With Wife in Building That Is Now Lakewood Church and There Was a Lot of Beer
You probably would never have guessed it, but when Joel Osteen, televangelist, author, and senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, and his wife, Victoria, had their first date, it was in the same building that now serves as their church and there was a lot of beer involved.

Feb 26, 2015: Christian Today: Joel Osteen promotes the warrior mentality
Popular American evangelist Joel Osteen is promoting the warrior mentality among Christians, telling them not to be weighed down by their problems because all things are possible with Christ.

Jan 30, 2015: USA Today: Joel Osteen on whether God cares who wins the Super Bowl
For The Win decided to ask Joel Osteen, the senior pastor of Houston’s giant Lakewood Church and host of a weekly show on SiriusXM’s Joel Osteen Radio channel, if he thinks God cares who wins football games.

Nov 2, 2014: Barb Wire: Joel Osteen Praises Obama as a Christian
There are still self-professed “Christians” who continue to promote the heresies and unbiblical teachings of Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria. Previously, we pointed out how Victoria Osteen said that our worship of God should be done for ourselves. In an interview with Wolf Blitzer, Osteen said that Barack Obama is a Christian

Sept 30, 2014: Billy Hallowell: The Blaze: Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen Claim You’re About to See an Entirely Different Side of Them
Joel and Victoria Osteen, pastors of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, are hoping to bring inspirational messages to an entirely new audience with the launch of a radio channel that they say will show an entirely different side of them.

Sept 20, 2014: Christian Post: Joel Osteen Confuses Old Testament History? Ministry Facebook Page Suggests Moses Outlived Joshua, Knew of Daniel
Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen made a faux pas this week when an inspiration message posted to his extremely popular ministry Facebook page suggested that Moses was alive during Joshua's leadership and even when the prophet Daniel was taken into Babylonian captivity.

Sept 16, 2014: Christian Post: Church Leaders Need to Stop 'Terrorizing' Joel Osteen, Singer Carman Says in Defense of Megachurch Pastor
Popular recording artist Carman Licciardello recently spoke out in defense of Joel Osteen, whom he called "a God ordained bridge between the mainstream world and the church," and called for Christian critics to stop "terrorizing" the successful megachurch pastor.

Mar 21, 2014: Stand Up for Truth: Osteenification and What it Portends
Here is an excellent article by Hank Hanegraaff about the problem with prosperity teacher Joel Osteen’s theology:

Mar 18, 2014: Joel Osteen reported the theft of $600,000 from the safe in his church, but the theft wasn’t the only information of interest revealed. After finding out that this large chunk of money was from just one weekend of Osteen’s collected church donations, jaws dropped around the nation.
According to News Max on March 18, it didn’t take long for folks on the outside to do the math. Based on Osteen’s reported amount of money in this theft, it appears his Lakewood Church takes in $32 million a year. Calculator keys were punched around the nation taking the $600,000 for Olsteen's weekend donation collection and timing this by the 52 weeks in a year.
[Roz Zurko: Examiner: "Joel Osteen's church theft opens can of worms: Jaws drop as folks do the math")

Jan 22, 2014: New York Yankees: Joel Osteen to Bring Back "America's Night of Hope" to Yankee Stadium on June 7; General Public On-sale to Begin Saturday, January 25, at 10:00 a.m.
Today the Yankees announced that tickets for Joel Osteen's "America's Night of Hope" - on Saturday, June 7, at Yankee Stadium - will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, January 25, at 10:00 a.m., online at www.yankees.com, www.joelosteen.com and www.ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster phone at (800) 745-3000 and via Ticketmaster TDD at (800) 943-4327.

Jan 14, 2014; Charisma: Joel Osteen Believes Homosexuality Is a Sin, but Won't Preach On It
Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church, spoke with Larry King on his online show, Larry King Now, Monday. Watch him talk about why his ministry attracts Muslims and atheists, how he differs from Billy Graham and why he doesn't preach on homosexuality.

Dec 20, 2013: Christian Post: Joel Osteen Talks Preaching Sin, Materialism, and Gay Marriage
Joel Osteen, megachurch pastor and New York Times best-selling author, was pressed during a recent interview about his stance on homosexuality and asked if he would ever come out in support of same-sex marriage. The Texas minister, who leads America's largest congregation, explained that he refuses to "harp" on such issues and was "for everybody."

Dec 17, 2013: Daily Caller; Joel Osteen needs more security than a Third World dictator
You’d have thought a world leader had shown up to Barnes and Noble in downtown Washington at lunchtime Tuesday. But no. It was megachurch pastor Joel Osteen with his megawatt smile and serious security team in tow. He was there to promote and sign his new book, Break Out! 5 Keys to Go Beyond Your Barriers And Live.

Dec 16, 2013: Newsmax: Joel Osteen to Newsmax: Church Should Be Inclusive, Shun Politics
Joel Osteen tells Newsmax that Pope Francis' message of inclusiveness and efforts to reach out to people from all walks of life through Christianity aligns with the Texas pastor's ministry.

Oct 31, 2013: Twitchy: Joel Osteen deletes ‘best unintentionally awesome tweet ever’
Congratulations to Joel Osteen, who tonight tweeted perhaps the worst “inspirational” tweet since Dr. Phil asked if it was OK to have sex with a girl who was drunk.

Oct 24, 2013: Washington Times: KELLNER: Preacher Joel Osteen wants readers to ‘Break Out!’
It’s difficult for people to be neutral about Joel Osteen. The television preacher seems either to be loved or hated by millions of people, many of the latter having never heard or read a word of his.

Oct 1, 2013: Today: Joel Osteen explains the mysteries of unexpected blessings in 'Break Out!
In 'Break Out!: 5 Keys to Go Beyond Your Barriers and Live an Extraordinary Life,' Joel Osteen illuminates the ways in which faith can enhance your opportunities and enrich your life.

Aug 27, 2013; Standing On My Head: Joel Osteen and Pope Francis
Joel Osteen the prosperity preacher from Houston has just moved up from his $2m mansion to a $10m mansion. Here’s the news.

July 15, 2013: TMZ: Joel Osteen So White, It's Ungodly!
Someone needs to tan Joel Osteen's hide ... or at least his chest, because the guy who provides holy inspiration to millions is downright pasty.

Apr 8, 2013: Houston Culture Map: Behind the great Joel Osteen Internet hoax: Who knew haters had so much free time?
Pastor of mega church resigns, rejects Christ," read a CNN headline. "Osteen: 'I am no longer a Christian,'" proclaimed another on the Drudge Report. The Christian Broadcasting Network and Yahoo! touted similar news.

July 16,2023:
Those who are against Osteen say they are troubled because he took on the role of a minister of the Gospel but does not preach the Gospel. Others point out that Osteen has not experienced financial struggle, homelessness, hunger, eviction, foreclosure, or repossession as some of his followers have in Virginia and across the nation. His message is that God will reward with financial gain if you just believe which causes the affluent to believe God has blessed them and the less fortunate to feel they have somehow missed the mark. I have watched people who believed in Osteen's message, purchased his books and die with no more money than what they worked and earned. Lynn P., Cherelle E., Marie C., and Reynae D. are 4 Virginians who have shared with me that they have left churches in the Commonwealth that teach Osteen's doctrine. They like me, have people who stopped speaking or deleted them from Facebook because they said what Joel teaches is not the gospel of Christ. There is nothing wrong with motivating and encouraging people but when your every need has been met you are worth 50 million and drive a $300,000 vehicle it sends the message to the poor and disadvantaged that this is God's reward. Someone making minimum wage will never attain the level of financial security that Osteen has through his many motivational books. People looking for a better life on this earth have purchased what Osteen writes which has given him additional millions in income while they struggle and see no change. -Cheryl E Preston; NewsBreak; Virginians are turned off by Joel Osteen's feel good message 7.16.23

Zorek Richards

February 26, 2022:
The first church I went to eventually dived into prosperity teaching nonsense. The experience has left me somewhat discerning and I avoid those type of churches....like Joel Osteen, Paula White, Ken Copeland and a host of others. My late mother use to listen to Osteen because she said he made her "feel good." Eating cheesecake makes me feel good...I would hope to get something more out of church then the feeling that I just ate some cheesecake.

Sept 16, 2020: Pirate Christian: Joel Osteen is Selling the "Inspiration Cube" (NOT Satire)
For $40 you can push a button to hear Joel Osteen tell you stuff.

August 15, 2018: Less than a year after Harvey struck, the City of Houston and Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed a day in honor of the assistance of Lakewood and Osteen in rebuilding efforts across the Houston area. It stated that Lakewood and its pastors had provided "assistance to more than 1,150 Houston-area families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by floodwaters" and bought "1.1 million dollars in building materials, furniture, appliances, and paid labor, as well as through the contribution of more than 2,500 volunteers"

October 14, 2007: 60 Minutes ran a 12-minute segment on Osteen, titled "Joel Osteen Answers His Critics", during which Reformed
theologian Michael Horton told
CBS News correspondent
Byron Pitts that Osteen's message is heresy. Horton stated that the problem with Osteen's message is that it makes religion about us instead of about God.

March 20, 2016:
From Think Progress:

In its simplest form, the prosperity gospel is an American Christian movement that teaches followers they can become rich though the art of positive thinking — and, more importantly, cutting large checks to their church and pastor. The controversial theology has long been criticized by progressive and conservative Christian leaders alike, especially the spending habits it encourages among ministers who uphold it, such as when Creflo Dollar (his actual name) of College Park, Georgia, asked his constituents to help him buy a private jet. But just like Trump’s unexpected rise to power within the GOP, prosperity preaching has proven inexplicably attractive: Lakewood Church, the congregation of megapastor and New York Times bestseller Joel Osteen, is now the largest church in the United States, filling seats in the retrofitted former home of the Houston Astros with as many as 40,000 worshippers every Sunday, all eager to hear the ostensibly lucrative message of the prosperity gospel.
The movement’s expansive influence is likely why Trump met with 40 prosperity gospel preachers and televangelists on the 26th floor of Trump Tower in September 2015. The meeting, which included prominent prosperity preachers such as Gloria and Kenneth Copeland, was blasted by Russell Moore as a gathering of “heretics,” but Trump won over the glitzy crowd anyway.

And this quote is rather revealing of Joel Osteen:
“I’m not really up to speed on all the politics,” Osteen replied. “[But] Mr. Trump is an incredible communicator and brander, like President Clinton said. He’s been a friend to our ministry. He’s a good man.”
Trump. Even buying endorsements from "Christian" leaders.

Jan 31, 2014: The Christian Post reported that "Megachurch pastor and bestselling author Joel Osteen is making a second trip to New York City's Yankee Stadium this summer for his annual "America's Night of Hope" tour."

March 18, 2014: Christian Post reported: Top 10 Fittest Christian Leaders List Includes: 1. Pastor Joel Osteen
"The 50-year-old preacher made headlines in 2012 when he was pictured in Hawaii with six-pack abs, which is a testament in itself to how much he exercises," said Becic. "Osteen frequently posts diet and fitness advice on his website, encouraging people to take care of their temple, limit sugar and drink more water. He also cares about the health of his congregation which is why he appointed me to lead the health and fitness program at his megachurch."

Apr 8, 2013: The Houston Chronicle reported that Joel Osteen was target of an internet hoax which said: It's a news flash with an asterisk: Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen has resigned from the mega church that he has led since 1999, a move prompted by his decision to leave the Christian faith due to his "lack of faith.""

September 21, 2013: Rick Henderson at Huffington Post wrote: " I have been preaching for 20 years. Yesterday I did something that I have never done before in a sermon. I publicly called out false teachers and named them by name. I said:
If you listen to Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer, if you take what they teach seriously, it will not be good for you. It will be detrimental to your long-term growth as a follower of Jesus. I used to think that their error was so blatantly obvious that they could just be ignored. I was wrong. They are massively growing in popularity in the evangelical world and are seen as credible and helpful. Before I'm inundated with questioning emails I want to share why I distrust these two and think you should as well. So, don't shoot me -- at least not yet. When I was a kid I could tell the difference between neighborhood kids who wanted to be my friend from the neighborhood kids who were my friends so that they could play with my toys. Joel and Joyce are the latter. They both teach a twisted form of Christianity that teaches obedience, giving and faith as a way to get things from God. They are both products of what is known as the Prosperity Gospel and The Word of Faith Movement, or the Seed Faith Movement.

Collecting their income from your tithes and offerings for more than 10 years

Oct 3, 2013: WND Reported: WND: Joel Osteen finally comes out on 'gay' issue. God “absolutely” approves of everyone — including homosexuals — declared one of America’s most well-known evangelical pastors. HuffPo Live host Josh Zepps quoted from Osteen's new book: "It doesn't matter who likes you or who doesn't like you, all that matters is God likes you. He accepts you, he approves of you." Zepps followed up by asking if that included homosexuals. Pastor Joel Osteen"Absolutely," Osteen insisted, "I believe that God has breathed his life into every single person. We're all on a journey. Nobody's perfect."

Oct 4, 2013: Christian News reported: Joel Osteen: God ‘Absolutely’ Accepts Homosexuals In a recent interview with the Huffington Post, megachurch speaker and author Joel Osteen advised that he believes God accepts homosexuals, and that he doesn’t want to “tell everybody what they’re doing wrong.”

Oct 22, 2013: "I like the new pope," Pastor Joel Osteen says, adding Pope Francis has made the Catholic church "more inclusive.

Apr 30, 2012: Salon: Joel Osteen worships himself. At a D.C. rally, it's clear that the megachurch pastor's childlike faith is really about the power of narcissism. As the megachurch pastor — turned out in a blue suit and a beatific grin, looking for all the world like a fitter Tim Allen, fresh out of rehab — took his spot at the second-base perimeter of the infield, before the bank of TV cameras set up on the pitchers mound, he called out, “Isn’t it great to be here? It’s another great day the Lord has made!” He paused to note that, yes, “we had some rain last night,” but that the event’s reshuffled schedule could well mean that some people who couldn’t have made the evening version of the prayer gathering might well have turned up serendipitously today. In any event, Osteen declared his certitude that “God put the right people here right now.”

Mar 6, 2010: The Guardian: Joel Osteen: the new face of Christianity The main draw is Joel Osteen, "America's pastor". He's at the edge of the stage with his glamorous wife and co-pastor, Victoria. I've watched his televised sermons, seen him on the cover of his bestselling books, and observed interviews on TV with megastars such as Larry King, Sean Hannity and Barbara Walters. Powerful politicians from both parties crave to be seen with him, just as in the past they paid homage to Billy Graham (who has endorsed Osteen). The Republican governor of Texas, Rick Perry, made sure to attend the grand opening of Lakewood in July 2005; Osteen in turn led the prayer during Perry's inauguration two years later. But Osteen doesn't pick political favourites; when Houston elected its first openly gay mayor this year (a Democrat), he said the prayer during her inauguration. The Clintons like to be seen worshipping at Lakewood when they're in town, and John McCain was happy to sing the praises of Osteen while campaigning in 2008. And while Obama is yet to pay a visit, last December he found the time to receive Osteen at the White House. These disparate and often opposed politicians recognise one thing: if anybody is the face of evangelical Christianity in America today, it is Joel Osteen.

May 2009

January 17, 1999: Osteen preached his first sermon

October 3, 1999: Osteen was installed as the new senior pastor of Lakewood Church