Joel Osteen is the son of John Osteen and Dolores (“Dodie”) Pilgrim. As for Joel Osteen ethnicity, he is English, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, and possibly distant Dutch.
Joel Scott Osteen, born on March 5, 1963, in Houston, Texas, USA, is an acclaimed American televangelist, theologian, speaker, and author.
He has amassed a significant following through his straightforward and uplifting sermons, as well as his bestselling books.
Osteen’s journey into ministry began when he was ordained through his father’s church in 1983.
He delivered his inaugural sermon on January 17, 1999, and swiftly ascended to become the senior pastor of Lakewood Church by October 3 of the same year.
In 2003, Lakewood Church made a significant acquisition by obtaining the Compaq Center, the former venue for the NBA’s Houston Rockets, and the AHL’s Houston Aeros, which underwent substantial renovations.
By 2008, Osteen proudly declared that Lakewood Church’s weekly service TV program was broadcast in over 100 countries, underscoring his global reach.
His influence extended beyond religious circles, as demonstrated by his inclusion on Barbara Walters’s list of the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2006.
Additionally, former presidential candidate John McCain publicly hailed Osteen as his preferred inspirational author.
Further highlighting his societal impact, the Osteen family was invited to an Easter breakfast hosted by President Barack Obama at the White House in 2010, showcasing their prominence on the national stage.
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Joel Osteen Ethnicity & Parents: Family
Joel Osteen was born on March 5, 1963, to Dolores and The Rev. John Osteen (John Hillery Osteen), a Southern Baptist pastor.
He has two brothers named Paul and Justin, and three sisters- Lisa, Tamara, and April Osteen.
Joel Osteen belongs to English, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, and possibly distant Dutch ancestry.
His paternal grandfather was Willis Jackson Osteen, Sr., born in Arkansas. Willis was the son of Elijah H. Steen/Osteen and Clarinda Ray.
Elijah was the son of John J. Osteen and Celia Boyette, while Clarinda was the daughter of Willis Ray and Rebecca Sutton.
Joel’s paternal grandmother was Ellen Mae/May Brawner, the daughter of John Farr Brawner and Laura Evelyn Wilburn.
John was the son of Jesse Franklin Brawner and Mary Ann Fultner, while Laura was the daughter of James Gillispie “Doc” Wilburn and Martha Lane.
Osteen’s parents established the nondenominational charismatic Lakewood Church in Houston in 1959.
His father, John Osteen, served as the pastor and had cultivated a regional following over the years.
In 1981, Joel Osteen left Oral Roberts University after less than a year of study to assist his father in developing Lakewood’s burgeoning national television ministry. He worked behind the scenes as a producer for the church’s broadcasts.
Following his father’s passing in 1999, Osteen assumed the role of head pastor. Under his leadership, Lakewood experienced remarkable growth, swiftly becoming the largest and fastest-growing congregation in the United States.
He strategically expanded the church’s media presence by investing in billboard advertisements and other promotional avenues, doubling the budget for television airtime, negotiating with various networks to secure prime time slots, and targeting major media markets.
Joel Osteen: Wife & Kids
Joel Osteen tied the knot with Victoria Osteen on April 4, 1984. Victoria serves as a co-pastor alongside him at Lakewood Church.
Victoria pursued psychology studies at the University of Houston and previously worked at her mother’s jewelry store, where the couple first crossed paths in 1985.
They share two children. They welcomed their firstborn a son, Jonathan Osteen on April 20, 1995, who is known as a singer and social media personality.
They welcomed their second child, a daughter, Alexandra Osteen on November 9, 1998, who is now a singer.
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