Joel Osteen is the Senior Pastor at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Beyond pastoring the church, Joel Osteen is a televangelist and author. His sermons are seen by over seven million television viewers each week, in over one hundred countries. To date, Joel has authored ten books that have been New York Times Best Sellers. The success of his ministry is spreading the love and hope of Christ with the world!
Joel Osteen Ministries
Joel Osteen is passionate about reaching all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, or current religious beliefs. The mission to spread the Gospel to all peoples is evident in the way Joel Osteen Ministries prioritize the use of technology and media. By using the platform available through technology and media, he is reaching millions across America and millions more across the globe. Thus, lives are being transformed by the power of God as love and hope are released over the air waves!
“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17)
Another way Joel is spreading the Word of God is through his weekly podcast. Each week, faith is built as listeners dig into the Word of God through Joel’s message. The beauty of podcasting is that the message is available to the listener whenever it is convenient for them. Also, podcasts are a trendy way of reaching people who may not feel comfortable or have been turned off by the church.
Causes
Again, Joel Osteen Ministries is committed to reaching people from all walks of life. Thus, the organization houses ministries specifically directed toward those that are hungry or sick. Driven by the command in Mark 16:15 to “go into all the world and preach the Good News”, Joel Osteen Ministries provides food and medical supplies to struggling families.
Jesus said in Mark 2;17, “On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”. Jesus brought a message of love and hope to the hurting and hopeless and Joel Osteen Ministries is doing the same!
The Message of Hope
In today’s society, hopelessness is an epidemic. Statistics such as divorce or suicide rates are two of the many indicators of hopelessness. Thus, the importance of ministries like that of Joel Osteen are vitally important to seeing our communities transformed by the love and hope of Christ!
Romans 5:5 says, “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us”. True hope is only found in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Notice that Paul writes that hope will not disappoint us! Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him.” Romans 15:13 is a key to finding the eternal hope in Christ as Paul qualifies this truth with “as you trust in Him”. Trust, therefore, is the key to accessing hope in Christ.
This message of hope is critical for reaching the nations with the Good News. Joel is one of the many ministers doing his part to see salvation and transformation sweep the globe!
Joel Osteen and Being The Church
According the bible, the church is not a building. Believers, the Body of Christ, are the church. Joel understands this truth,
“Half the people who watch us don’t go to church,” he says. “And so that was our goal: How do we get outside of the church? I want to talk to the people who think, I’m not a religious person. When Jesus was here, you know he didn’t stay in the synagogue. He went out in the marketplace, and so that’s what we try to do.”
The number of viewers and listeners that participate in the ministries offer by Joel Osteen Ministries are a testament to the fact that he is doing just that! He has found a way to reach anyone, anywhere across the globe. Lives are being transformed and God is being glorified!
Follow Joel Osteen on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Written by Sarah Crockett