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Posted on 02/21/2014 6:03:50 PM PST by Gamecock
Full Title: Joel Osteen's $10.5 Million Mansion, Cross-Less Church and Other Surprising Facts About the Mega-Pastor
Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, and the bestselling author of books like Your Best Life Now and I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak Over Your Life, has been dubbed "the smiling preacher" due to his toothy smile and upbeat attitude. Here are a few facts about Pastor Osteen and his ministry you might not know.
1. Joel Osteen Met Victoria Osteen in a Jewelry Store
Pastor Osteen and his wife Victoria Osteen met in 1985 when he went to a jewelry store to buy a new battery for his watch. Osteen has shared the story about how he met his wife with the Lakewood Church family.
2. Joel Osteen Takes No Salary From Lakewood Church
People magazine reported in a 2007 feature on Pastor Osteen and his family that the megachurch pastor stopped taking a salary from his Houston church in 2005, as his book deals have proven to be lucrative. The same article reported that Osteen was paid an advance of $13 million for one book.
3. The Osteens Live in a Mansion
Houston CultureMap reported in 2010 that the Osteens moved into a home in the River Oaks area of Houston, Texas, that was valued at $10.5 million. The same article reported that the Osteens had kept a former residence valued at $2.9 million while listing a vacant lot near their former home for $1.1. million.
4. Lakewood Church Has No Cross
Pastor Osteen acquired Lakewood Church's new home at the former Compaq Center in 2005. The 16,000-seat arena is home to the nation's largest congregation (43,000 members) and underwent $95 million in renovations, according to a 2005 New York Times article. "Like many new evangelical churches, the building has no cross, no stained glass, no other religious iconography. Instead, it has a cafe with wireless Internet access, 32 video game kiosks and a vault to store the offering," the paper reported.
5. Joel Osteen Was an Extremely Nervous Public Speaker
Pastor Osteen told Esquire magazine earlier this year that he used to be an extremely nervous public speaker, although he does not show it nowadays manning the Lakewood Church pulpit. He overcame his fear and nervousness by pretending that his audience members were old basketball buddies from the local YMCA.
Vicky was later sued by the Flight Attendant but prevailed.
He just creeps me out. And has a very shallow preaching line.
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Hope he enjoys his mansion here, don’t think he will be getting one in the hereafter.
Does Joel Tithe ?
Praaaaaaai$e the Lord !
To me, that's the bigger story here. Not his house.
I always thought he looked like he could be Tim Allen’s younger brother.
unfreaking real.
What ever happened to being a humble servant? Look at the size of the church Paul led. And what did he have to show for it?
THAT was a man called by God.
Not this huckster and all the other’s like him.
Total con-man.
Me, too. I don’t know what it is but I have to change the channel if he is on.
True dat.
I’m more impressed with poor yet faithful preachers. Osteen just strikes me as an oily salesman.
The next generation of what Sam Kinison referred to as “God’s special education squad”. First church of “did the check cash?”. I’ve got no use for pastors who treat the church like an ATM machine. “Do this,say this, get $$$$”. The whole “gospel of wealth” thing is out of control and is distracting from the work of the Lord. (disclaimer: IMHO)
CC
Is debate allowed on this Joel Osteen thread or do we have to follow his Vision?
I was changing channels earlier tonight. I came across one and the speaker was talking about the $500,000 addition to some Catholic official’s home in the NE. I changed channels again when I heard he added an indoor pool plus an outdoor one. Do not know where the money came from.
4. Lakewood Church Has No Cross
But it has a globe.
- He is not a Muslim homo like the great pretender/destroyer Obama is
It is interesting that Archbishop of Newark is given hell over an $800k place. I wonder if Oprah is going to comment on Osteen’s place?
Not saying that either is wrong or right, but rather the disparity in coverage.
This is a wide open thread. The YBPDLN fears no debate.
I’m glad I invested in a liquid proof iPad cover, because wine just sprayed the surface. That is too funny!
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