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Joel Scott Hayley Osteen (born March 5, 1963) is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. He is married to Victoria Osteen, who serves as co-pastor. Joel Osteen was featured as one of Barbara Walters' "10 Most Fascinating People of 2006", and was named "Most Influential Christian in America" in 2006 by The Church Report. His second book, Become a Better You, was released in October 2007 with a first printing of three million copies.
Born in Houston, Texas, Osteen married Victoria L. Iloff on 4 April 1987. They have two children, Jonathan and Alexandra. Joel, son of John and Dodie Osteen, is one of six children. His elder siblings, Paul, Lisa, Tamara and his younger sister April, are also involved in full-time ministry. Joel's half-brother Justin, does missionary work out of New York. Joel's father, John Osteen, a former Southern Baptist pastor who became Charismatic in the late 1950s, founded Lakewood Church on Mother's Day, 1959. Osteen's father developed Lakewood into a body of approximately 6,000 members with an active television ministry, crusades, conferences, missionary support and food distribution. He died of a heart attack in 1999.
After 17 years with his father producing the church's television program, Joel succeeded his father on October 3, 1999 as pastor of Lakewood Church. Joel had only preached once in his life, the week before his father's death. Today, Lakewood Church services, led by Pastor Osteen, are seen in over 100 nations around the world. Joel Osteen's first book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, was released in October 2004. In December 2006, he was named one of the year's "Ten Most Fascinating People" by Barbara Walters. ..[[Joel Osteen|More on Joel Osteen]]
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