Our Joel Osteen’s Biography tells you Facts about his Childhood Story, Early Life, Parents – John Osteen (Father), Dolores Pilgrim (Mother), Brothers (Paul Osteen and Justin Osteen), Sisters (Lisa Osteen, Tamara Osteen, and April Osteen Simons), Family Background, etc.
Also, Joel Osteen’s Wife, Family Origin, Religion, and Ethnicity. Again, we’ll break down info on Joel Osteen’s Lifestyle, Personal Life, Net Worth, etc.
Finally, Childhood Biography gives you factual details about the preacher’s Earnings and other Untold Facts about him.
In a nutshell, This chronicle breaks down the Full History of Joel Osteen. The story of a Celebrity Religious Leader who quit his university education to help his father set up a television agency for his church. His love for God’s work made him work alongside his father as a publishing supervisor.
Maybe you never knew; his father (John Osteen) founded Lakewood Church. Joel produced his father’s sermon for years before his father’s demise. However, He took over as Senior Pastor and has worked hard to bring the church to its current level.
Preamble:
Our Version of Joel Osteen’s Bio starts by telling you an unusual trajectory of his Early Life and childhood.
Afterward, we’ll tell you about his preaching style and inspirational books. Finally, we’ll let you know how he became a famous and successful preacher.
We hope to enhance your autobiography Appetite on the engaging nature of Joel Osteen’s Biography story.
To start with, Let’s show you this life gallery that tells the story of his Early Life and Rise. Behold the Life Trajectory of Joel, the televangelist who has come a long way in his life.
Yes, everyone knows Joel is a famous American Preacher and a pastor of Lakewood Church. He is an American televangelist, speaker, author, and theologian who has attracted millions of followers with his best-selling books and positive sermons.
Despite many accolades to his name, we realize a knowledge gap in his history.
The truth is, not many of his followers have read Childhood Biography’s in-depth version of Joel Osteen’s Biography. So, we’ve made it for you, which is super interesting. Without further ado, let’s begin.
Joel Osteen Childhood Story:
For Biography starters, he bears the nickname “smiling preacher” Joel Scott Osteen was born on the 5th day of March 1963 to his Mother, Dolores Pilgrim Osteen, and Father, John Osteen, in Houston, Texas. Houston is among the most populous city in Texas.
Joel came into the world as the fourth child among five children (two boys and three girls) born to the marital union between his parents.
Now, let’s introduce you to John Osteen and Dolores Pilgrim Osteen. While his dad was handsome, Joel took after his mum’s facial looks and captivating smiles.
Growing-Up Years:
The gifted author spent his childhood in his family’s residence in Houston, Texas. He spent a more significant part of his growing-up years alongside his siblings.
Paul Osteen and Justin Osteen are his brothers, though Justin is his father’s first son and half-brother.
Lisa Osteen, Tamara Osteen, and April Osteen Simons are his sisters, and whom we have pictured here are also worthy of our mention.
However, Joel was a good kid, God-fearing, and a serious-minded person who would always assist his father.
Joel Osteen Early Life:
Growing up in Texas, Houston, little Joel did not outright inherit his father’s ease and confidence before the crowd.
The young lad was a shy and reserved kid who did not even attend his senior prom. However, Joel Osteen excelled in sports when he was a kid.
Joel left his studies after one year at Oral Roberts University, where he studied radio and television communications, and returned to Houston.
However, he worked alongside his father in 1982 to start his television agency as a publishing supervisor in his dad’s local church.
Joel Osteen Family Background:
Starting, members of Joel’s household are mostly into pastoral work. Regarding what Joel’s parents do for a living, let’s start with his dad. John was a former southern Baptist Church and founder of Lakewood Church. Joel Osteen’s Mum (Dolores Osteen) supported her husband in running the church.
However, Joel Osteen is from a middle-class family. His father, John, encountered a theological belief shift after the birth of their first daughter, Liza.
Because She was born with several health issues that affected the family’s stand, thank God they overcame it and started Lakewood Church in 1956.
Joel Osteen Family Origin:
To start with, the best author holds American nationality, meaning he is a citizen of America. Both Joel Osteen’s father and mother are from Texas.
In this Southeast American nation, English is the official language – spoken by most of the country’s population.
In addition, Joel Osteen’s town (Hosten Taxes) is often referred to as NASA’s space center.
Since the establishment of Texas in 1961, it has led NASA’s efforts in human space study. Also, Texas is one of the hottest states among the 50 warmest states in the US.
Joel Osteen’s Ethnicity:
Following our research, we could trace the American preacher and author to having a mixed ethnicity (English, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Dutch).
However, Joel Osteen’s ancestry patrilineal line can be spoor/ down to Dutch origin.
Joel Osteen Education:
Have you heard of Humble High School in Humble, Texas? Joel Osteen has his education from this public high school.
During his school years in high school, Joel was an introvert who could not even attend his senior year prom. However, he developed an interest in sports and was good at it.
In addition, Our dear televangelist attended Oral Roberts University immediately after he left high school in 1981.
Joel studied radio and television communication for one year at the university before he quit to support his father in producing his televised sermons.
Career Buildup:
Joel Osteen was a private and reserved person. After he quit school and returned to Houston, he started Lakewood’s television program, where he produced his father’s sermons. However, his father advised him to preach by practicing it, and he refused.
He prefers to work behind the camera because of his personality. Also, he was not ready to follow in his father’s footsteps as a pastor.
However, he avoided the limelight and worked behind the scenes, despite the constant pressure from his father.
Joel Osteen Biography – Road to Fame Story:
According to our research, Joel started assisting his father when he was 20yrs. He produced and directed the Lakewood Church weekly Sunday service for 15 years.
They initially aired the program on a local Houston station before moving it to the Family Channel.
Our televangelist always travels with his father on missionary journeys to assist him.
He constantly devotes his time to helping the church during the outreach and missionary works, though he avoids more active roles like preaching when given the opportunity.
Joel Osteen became a minister at Lakewood church in the year 1992. The ceremony was quiet, as only six members of the Lakewood board of directors did it.
However, he preached for the first time in 1999, when his father’s health worsened.
Sadly, his father, John Osteen, passed away a week after his first time on the pulpit. He became his father’s successor, and they appointed him as the senior pastor of Lakewood Church.
He started teaching, and the congregation accepted and enjoyed his simple way of teaching.
Joel Osteen Biography – Rise to Fame Story:
Ever since his church has been going higher, it did not take time before he became a well-known preacher, author, and influential televangelist.
Ever since his leadership, Lakewood Church has had a lot of viewers from different parts of the world. Also, his Saturday show is now transmitted to over 120 countries.
Furthermore, he has written and published many books. His first book was out in October 2007.
He titled the book ‘Your best life now: 7 steps to keep improving your life every day. However, the book made the New York bestseller list and was an immense success.
Interestingly, the pastor has written 15 books so far in his career as an author. Also, Barbara Walters listed Houston-born Joel Osteen among the Ten Fascinating People in 2006.
Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church won the 2010 Web award for Outstanding Achievement in Web Development.
Joel Osteen Love Life:
For decades, a global quote has existed: “behind every successful man is a woman.” Joel Osteen is no doubt a very successful preacher.
Behind the growth and success of the Lakewood Pastor comes a supportive wife who goes by the name is Victoria Osteen.
Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria met at her mother’s jewelry shop when he went to buy a watch battery.
It was love at first sight as the couple started dating almost immediately after they met. The love birds married on the 4th day of April 1987, two after they started dating.
Victoria Osteen, formally known as Victoria Iloff, was born on the 28th day of March 1961 in Huntsville, Alabama.
Her father, Donald Iloff, was a mathematician and a deacon in the Church of Christ. Also, Her Mum, Georgine Iloff, taught as a Sunday school teacher in the same church.
However, Victoria and her family moved to Houston, Texas, in 1963 when she was only two years old.
Her father got a job with NASA, and she grew up in the southeastern suburb of Houston. However, she attended the University of Houston to study Psychology but did not graduate.
Did you notice a pattern in the life of both husband and wife?
Joel and Victoria did not finish their university education but did exceptionally well in their pastoral calling, even to Date.
Joel Osteen Children:
The successful preacher and his wife have two beautiful children, Jonathan Osteen, and Alexandra Osteen.
Also, the super couple made sure they involved their children in the ministry, and today their family bond is more robust. They always travel as a family for Ministry work and assignments.
However, Jonathan is following the utmost skill of his father and has become one of the Lakewood pastors.
He is also writing songs and messages and involved in other things like being a creative team member, service flow, etc. However, Alex is also very active in pastoral work.
Joel Osteen’s Personal Life:
The American pastor’s Zodiac sign is Pisces. As observed from his lifestyle facts below, the preacher is family-oriented, communicative, and ready for fun.
So if Joel is not in church or on missionary grounds, the Osteen family goes on a beach vacation to bond.
Joel Osteen Lifestyle:
The American televangelist does not flaunt his assets to show off an affluent life, nor does he brag on social media. It certainly does not mean he can not afford an expensive lifestyle or have assets to show off. With all his money, it is only natural he finds an excellent way to spend it.
Joel Osteen House:
The cost of Joel Osteen’s first house in Tanglewood, Houston, is estimated to be $2.9 million.
The home was not too spacious, but it was beautiful and expensive. However, the family moved out of the house to another part of Houston, where they live.
Joel Osteen’s second house cost him $10.5 million.
The building is more of a mansion than a house, and it is a six-bedroom mansion with unique and expensive features, like six bathrooms, three elevators, a one-bedroom guest house, and five open wood fireplaces.
Also, it has a pool and a pool house, and a massive garage for all his exotic cars to park.
Though we have yet to identify the names of the vehicles he owns, we know his taste for automobiles will be top-notch.
Joel Osteen Networth:
According to our research, Joel Osteen’s net worth is $100 million as of the time of writing this bio. Much of his income comes from his best-selling book sales.
He usually receives a huge salary of $200,000 every year from Lakewood Church. Currently, he no longer accepts a wage for his post in the church.
Joel Osteen Family Life:
This section of our biography gives you more insight into the smiling preacher’s household. Without further ado, let’s begin.
About Joel Osteen’s Father:
John Osteen’s birthdate was 21th of August 1921, in Paris. He was the senior pastor and founder of Lakewood Church. Joel Osteen’s dad was also a televangelist.
Also, he ran television programs for a good 16 years and broadcasted them to almost 50 countries weekly.
John Osteen was married two times. He first married Emma Jean Shaffer, and they divorced because of the marital unrest they experienced.
However, he married Dolores Osteen on the 17th day of September 1954, and they stayed married till his death on the 23rd day of January 1999.
About Joel Osteen’s Mum:
Dolores Osteen has her birthdate on the 22nd day of October 1933 and lives in Houston, Texas. She was a co-founder of Lakewood Church with her husband, John Osteen. In addition, Joel Mum is a pastor, author, and cancer survivor. However, she was the only child of her parent.
Since the death of her husband, she has been actively involved in her son’s church as the co-founder.
The beautiful mother of Joel Osteen has done a great job of raising her five children, despite her busy schedules as a pastor and author. She made sure she was not lacking in her motherly roles.
About Paul Kent Osteen:
Paul Kent Osteen is the elder brother of Pastor Joel. He has his birthdate in Houston, Texas, on the 16th day of November 1955.
Also, Paul is a Medical Missionary and an American Vascular Surgeon. Also, he works as a volunteer medical surgeon in a remote part of Africa.
However, Kent is the founder of M3 (a medical conference for missionary work), whose goal is to connect medical workers to relieve poverty in an underdeveloped country.
He has contributed his quota to humanity. Osteen is married with four children.
About Justin Osteen:
Justin Osteen is the eldest brother of Joel Osteen and the eldest son of John Osteen.
Joel and Justine have worked in Lakewood Church in different capacities, and he worked as the Executive Director from 1983 to 1998 at the church.
Also, his role as the executive director made him travel to many places like Asia, the Mideast, Eastern Europe, and Central & South America.
There he headed medical missions, humanitarian relief projects, etc. However, he is Joel Osteen’s stepbrother.
About Lisa Osteen:
Lisa is the eldest sister of Joel Osteen. She had been ministering in Lakewood as a pastor long before Joel accepted to be the Senior Pastor in the church.
Currently, Lisa is an Associate Pastor under the leadership of Joel. Also, she involves herself in unique aspects of church leadership.
She has become a well know bible teacher and leader because of her experience in the ministry.
However, Lisa Osteen is a practical example of living what I teach. It simply means her passion for God’s work and love for humanity show in her daily life.
About Tamara (Osteen) Graff:
Tamara (Osteen) Graff is the eldest sister of pastor Joel. She has her birthdate on the 19th day of September 1961 in Harris Country, Texas.
She is married to James R. Graff. However, Tamara and her husband, James, are Lead pastors of Faith Family Church.
About April Osteen Simons:
April Osteen Simons is the younger sibling of Joel. She is a motivational speaker, hope coach, and author.
Also, she conveys uplifting, unforgettable, faith-focused messages to her listeners worldwide. April has five children and two grandchildren.
However, she hosts a weekly podcast called Better and a YouTube series called House of Hope.
Also, she regularly participates in the Daystar Television Network show titled Table Talk. Her family lives in Dallas.
About Joel Osteen’s Relatives:
Even though we are yet to know most of his relatives, Joel certainly has a few extended family members in Houston, Texas. Worthy of note are his Uncles, Aunties, Cousins, Nephews, Nieces, and In-laws.
Untold Facts:
We have a lot about this American preacher and televangelist. From his early childhood to his family and his love life, etc.
But are there still some facts about Joel Osteen that you haven’t heard? Without further delay, let’s see in the next section below.
Joel Osteen Religion:
It is not a hidden knowledge that Joel grew up in a religious family filled with pastors, Christian authors, and missionaries, and he is a born-again Christian that teaches the word of God. Joel followed in his father’s footsteps and became the senior pastor of Lakewood Church.
Earns no Salary:
The influential Houston preacher has decided not to receive a salary as the senior pastor of Lakewood Church.
He believes that the best way to make riches is sincerity and always giving back to the community. However, he always confesses that God is his source. Watch the video below.
The mode of Preaching:
Joel Osteen’s preaching focuses mainly on God’s goodness, promises, prosperity, grace, humanity, etc., more than punishment and dooms when you offend God.
His unique and simple ways of explaining the bible have drawn many people to his church.
Joel Osteen Critics:
Being influential and wealthy as a pastor puts you in the limelight of criticism and backlash from people worldwide.
Many people constantly question his source of income for his mansions, designers, cars, and so many others. Some even suggest the church pays tax since he claims his wealth is from God.
Cash Found by Plumber at the wall:
A plumber found cash on the wall when fixing a broken toilet in Lakewood Church. Based on our research, the plumber discovered the money after the church lost $600,000 in checks and cash in the church’s safe in 2014. However, the plumber found about 500 envelopes that fell from the wall.
| BIOGRAPHY INQURIES: | WIKI ANSWER: |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joel Scott Osteen |
| Nickname: | smiling preacher |
| Date of Birth: | 5th of March 1963 |
| Age: | 61 years and 1 months old |
| Birthplace: | Houston, Texas. |
| Father: | John Osteen |
| Mother | Dolores Pilgrim Osteen |
| Siblings: | Paul Osteen, Justin Osteen, Lisa Osteen, Tamara Osteen, and April Osteen Simons. |
| Wife: | Victoria Osteen |
| Children: | Jonathan Osteen and Alexandra Osteen. |
| Father Occupation: | Senior Pastor and Founder of Lakewood Church. |
| Mother Occupation: | Author and Co-Founder of Lakewood Church. |
| Education (school attended): | Humble High School, Texas. |
| Ethnicity | English |
| Zodiac | Pisces |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Christian Name | Joel |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches |
| Fathers Height | 5 feet 10 inches |
| Net Worth | 100 Million Dollars (2021 stats) |
| Nationality | American |
EndNote:
The bio of Joel Osteen is the life story of one of the wealthiest American televangelists and preachers. His Parents are the founder of Lakewood Church, with his sister, Mum, and wife as associate pastors.
The preacher grew up in Texas, Houston, among his other siblings, Paul Osteen and Justin Osteen) Lisa Osteen, Tamara Osteen, and April Osteen Simons.
They are all into ministry in different capacities. Like another American preacher, Joyce Meyer, Joel and his wife, Victoria are authors.
Appreciation Note:
Thanks for reading the Biography of Joel Osteen, the American preacher best known by the Nickname “Smiling Pastor.” However, we sincerely thank you for always believing in what we are and do.
At childhood biography, we go for accuracy and fairness in our daily routine of delivering you the childhood bio of Religious Leaders.
However, this reality has kept the family pertinent. Kindly reach us by the comment section if you notice anything incorrect.
Cole Daxton
Cole Daxton is a talented Childhood Biography Storyteller with a passion for uncovering the untold stories of some of the world's biggest celebrities. With a keen eye for detail, Cole Daxton has spent years delving into the Early Years and Success Stories of some of the most famous people in the world.
