By Hope 103.2Tuesday 28 Jul 2009Open House InterviewsFaithReading Time: 1 minute
Joel Osteen stepped into the pulpit of his father’s church at the age of 35. He’d preached only once before.
Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, was a congregation of 6000 back then; today, just 10 years later, it’s a church of 45,000.
Joel’s television program is the highest-rated religious program in the United States and is seen in 100 countries. His books sell millions of copies and his live events fill stadiums.
Fans adore his positive-thinking messages; critics say he’s more self-help guru than Gospel preacher. Sheridan Voysey caught up with Joel Osteen at the recent Hillsong Conference.