Joel Osteen Praying for UK
Joel and Victoria Osteen of Lakewood Church, the largest church in the US, kicked off their UK tour last night at the Odyssey Arena Belfast in Northern Ireland.
by Anne Thomas
Posted: Wednesday, July 4, 2007, 7:55 (BST)
Joel and Victoria Osteen of Lakewood Church, the largest church in the US, kicked off on their UK tour last night at the Odyssey Arena Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Pastor Osteen's trip coincides with recent terrorist attacks on Glasgow Airport and foiled bomb plots in London.
Following the attacks, he said: "We recognise that we are in the United Kingdom during uncertain times.
"Because of this, we want to use this time to pray for the people of the United Kingdom and to offer a message of hope and encouragement."
The pastors' tour will take them to London's Wembley Arena on Friday 6 July and the NEC Arena in Birmingham on Saturday 7 July.
'A Night of Hope' features praise, worship and prayer during which attendees will hear an inspirational message from the Osteens along with the electrifying music of Dove Award-winning Cindy Cruse Ratcliff and the Lakewood band and ensemble.
Lakewood Church of Houston, Texas, is the largest and fastest growing church in the US with nearly 40,000 attendees.
Lakewood Church's weekly services are also broadcast on television in the US and around the world in over 100 nations.
According to Nielsen Media Research, Joel Osteen is the most watched minister in the US and reaches 95 per cent of all US television households.
In 2005, Lakewood began holding worship services in its new 16,000-seat facility in Houston. The facility, formerly known as the Compaq Centre and home to the Houston Rockets, was acquired by Lakewood Church in January of 2004 and took 18 months to renovate at a cost of $95m.
Lakewood Church is now one of the largest regularly attended worship centres in the world.
Joel Osteen has been named the "Most Influential Christian in America of 2006" by the readers of The Church Report magazine.
In addition, Osteen's first book, Your Best Life Now, went to Number 1 on the New York Times bestseller list and has sold over four million copies since its release in October 2004. The book is now available in 19 languages.
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Added: Monday, May 5, 2008, 10:59 (BST)
I have been in Lakewood Church of Houston, Texas, last year it was amazing I was so happy I àm blessed. I watch every saturday too and l bout Your Best Life Now book and I have learnd alot from that book .
God bless Joel & Victoria Ossten with the all family meber`s. And Lakewood Church
Titi Efrem, Stockholm Sweden
Added: Friday, October 19, 2007, 14:27 (BST)
I am really touched by the message joel is trying to give. In most of our churches, we forget how kinda words and compassion play a part in our daily life. Some people go to church, but remain cold and distant. It enrages me to hear his critics. Joel has been called to do a message of hope and faith-something no one else preaches about on public television.
Joel's critics are people that are having a hard time themselves. Joel does not preach that you can get rid of your problems at the drop of hat. Thats not what he preaches. Joel-the critics out there really has no common sense-I dont care what degree in theology they have :-)
Carrie, USA
Added: Wednesday, August 8, 2007, 1:53 (BST)
i think joel and victoria are doing a wonderful job i love them both
sharon, aiken s. c.
Added: Tuesday, August 7, 2007, 21:41 (BST)
We love to hear Pastor Joel preach. Our Father God has set a feasting table before us and Pastor Joel is the dessert cart ! God bless you all and keep up the good work of the Lord Jesus.
Louella Smith, Lakeland, FL United States of America
Added: Thursday, August 2, 2007, 10:30 (BST)
I ALWAYS THOUGHT DR. ROBERT SCHUELLER OF THE CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL OF ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA WAS THE GREATEST TELEVANGELIST WITH THE GLORY OF CHRISTMAS AND THE GLORY OF EASTER. BUT ALAS JOEL/VICTORIA OSTEEN IS SURPASSING THEM OR EQUAL TO ROBERT SCHUELLER. THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING CAME THROUGH TO YOU JOEL OSTEEN BECAUSE YOUR A CARBON COPY OF DR. ROBERT SCHUELLER AND THAT IS A GREAT ROLE MODEL TO FOLLOW.I WAS DELIGHTED WHEN YOU HAD MADAME SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI IN YOUR TEXAS,HOUSTON COMPAQ CENTER. WAS IT FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF LAKEWOOD WITH 40,000 IN THE CONGREGATION. ?TALK ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST BEING PREACHED ALL OVER THIS LAND AND LO AND BEHOLD FROM HOUSTON,TEXAS HOME OF JOHNSON SPACE CENTER CLEARLAKE,TEXAS. AND BUT OF COURSE 43 RD.COMMANDER IN CHIEF GEORGE W. BUSH 43 PRESIDENT OF THESE UNITE STATES OF AMERICA HTE BEAUTIFUL IS A TRUE BLUE MIDLAND TEXAN. DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS AND THE YELOW ROSE OF TEXAS IS FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH AND THE FIRST LADY OF LAKEWOOD VICTORIA OSTEEN.PERHAPS JOEL OSTEEN SHOULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT. ANOTHER TEXAN A GREAT CHRISTIAN JUST LIKE W.DEEP INTO THE HEART OF TEXAS. JOEL OSTEEN YOU ARE DYNAMITE FOR OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST WHOM IS OUR VERY OWN GLOBAL SUPER STAR TO BE ALWAYS PREACHED AROUND THIS WORLD INTO 21ST. CENTURY..
MARIE T. KURTZ, CAPE CANAVERAL FLORIDA
Added: Wednesday, August 1, 2007, 20:10 (BST)
I can only say a big GOD bless u,the messages have been encouraging.one sunday in the month of may u preached about waiting on GOD and GOD saying is also waiting on us and got challaged and took a step of faith and realized GOD had been waiting on me to act.Walked to a high office and got out with what i had gone for a pure miracle.when a friend told her friend about my miracle she said;IF SHE IS NOT BORN AGAIN TELL HER TO GET SAVED.ITS AMIRACLE.i still cant believe it and is like am dreaming.GOD bless you
nyambura, uk
Added: Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 21:49 (BST)
I have been watching and listening to Joel Osteen's broadcast for over 6 months and find him an inspirational preacher...I enjoy all his sermons...in my mind he is the next Bill Graham....God bless you Joel and Victoria.
Angie, Calgary - Alberta - Canada
Added: Friday, July 27, 2007, 3:58 (BST)
i wanted joel and victoria to know that god is using them in a very special wayl since i have started watching him this year signed up in feb for his devotionals on line it has really touched me in a great way. i love you joel thanks for teaching me all of this you both are a very encouraging. sharon cato aiken south carolina
sharon cato, aiken south carolina
