Sometimes, it is easy to speak without thinking.
Words can shape our future.
You can curse your future or bless it.
Being mindful of what we say is crucial.
Joel Ostein often emphasizes the importance of the words that follow I am.
He believes that what follows the phrase I am is what we invite into our lives.
God’s dream for our lives is often bigger than what we can imagine.
Ostein reflects that 13 years ago, he could not have imagined being where he is now or speaking to arenas full of people.
Joel Ostein was born on March 5th, 1963, in Houston, Texas.
He was one of six children in a household deeply rooted in faith, family, and church.
His father, John Ostein, left the Southern Baptist tradition and embraced charismatic Christianity.
A defining moment for the family came in 1958 when Joel’s sister Lisa was born with severe disabilities.
This led the family to turn toward faith healing.
In 1959, John and his wife Dodie founded Lakewood Church in a small feed store in Houston.
The original church had only 234 seats, but it grew steadily over the years.
By the late 1970s, Lakewood had over 5,000 members.
Joel grew up surrounded by this spiritual environment.
While some siblings preached or served publicly, Joel preferred to work behind the scenes.
He graduated from Humble High School in 1981.
He briefly studied radio and television at Oral Roberts University but left after less than a year.
He did not seek a degree but wanted to contribute to the family ministry.
At 19, he returned to Houston to work on the church’s television ministry.
Joel produced, edited, directed, and ensured every broadcast looked polished.
He learned from hundreds of sermons, absorbing theology without formal training.
He deliberately avoided preaching, leaving the pulpit to his father.
Everything changed on January 17th, 1999.
Joel preached his first sermon.
Six days later, his father passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack.
Joel was thrust into leading a church of 6,000 members.
He felt unprepared and inexperienced, but he embraced the role.
Attendance grew rapidly.
By 2004, weekly attendance had risen to 25,000–30,000, making Lakewood the largest church in America.
Joel expanded the church’s reach through television.
He doubled airtime budgets, selected prime slots, and used billboards to attract attention.
His sermons focused on hope, positivity, and believing in oneself.
Critics argued his message avoided sin, repentance, and biblical rigor.
Despite criticism, people resonated with his uplifting style.
In 2003, Lakewood leased the Houston Rockets’ former arena, a 16,000-seat stadium.
The renovation cost nearly $95 million, transforming it into a modern church with multiple floors, classrooms, studios, and luxurious interiors.
The arena opened on July 16th, 2005, with 16,000 attendees and millions watching on TV.
By this time, weekly attendance exceeded 40,000, and broadcasts reached over 100 countries.
Joel’s media presence amplified his influence.
Lakewood’s TV broadcast reached nearly every American household.
In 2017, media efforts cost $25 million but expanded the church globally.
He launched XM radio programming and Night of Hope arena events, drawing tens of thousands.
His book Your Best Life Now, published in 2004, sold over 4 million copies worldwide and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for nearly four years.
Subsequent books, speaking engagements, and merchandise turned him into a media and motivational powerhouse.
Joel married Victoria in 1987 after meeting her in a Houston jewelry store.
Victoria, born in Huntsville, Alabama, in 1961, was raised in a religious household.
Her father worked as a NASA engineer, and her mother was a Sunday school teacher.
Victoria began assisting at Lakewood, eventually launching the women’s ministry in 2003, reaching thousands annually.
She authored best-selling books and became a public presence alongside Joel.
Joel and Victoria have two children, Jonathan and Alexandra.
Jonathan, born in 1995, pursued media and worship leadership, preaching his first sermon in 2019.
Alexandra, born in 1998, became a lead vocalist in the church’s worship band, contributing to its musical identity.
Lakewood, under Joel’s leadership, aligns with the prosperity gospel and word-of-faith movements.
These teachings suggest faith, positive declarations, and trust in God can bring wealth, health, and happiness.
Joel has said that God wants people to live debt-free, healthy lives, and his followers embraced this message.
Critics argue this focus on abundance shifts attention away from traditional Christianity, emphasizing personal gain rather than spiritual growth.
The church emphasizes motivational messages over sin, judgment, or repentance.
Joel’s media empire brought immense financial success.
Lakewood operates on an annual budget of $90 million, while Joel’s personal net worth ranges from $50 million to $100 million, primarily from books and speaking fees.
Critics note that only 1.
3% of the church budget goes to charity, with most funds spent on media, events, and administration.
Joel has stated he does not take a salary from the church, but the majority of revenue supports the ministry and global broadcasts.
The church’s prominence has sparked controversy.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lakewood accepted $4.
4 million in government loans, intended for small businesses.
While the church returned the funds after public scrutiny, the incident raised questions about priorities and financial transparency.