Latest news with #LakewoodChurch
Fox News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Grammy Nominated Musician and Pastor Tauren Wells Sings and Preaches About Joy!
Musician and Pastor Tauren Wells has a passion for teaching people about the joys of knowing and serving Jesus Christ. Once known as part of the praise team for Pastor Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church in Houston, Wells now co-pastors his own church, Church of Whitestone in Austin, Texas, with his wife Lorna. His new book takes a deep dive into the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, exploring how happiness comes not from external things but from a changed heart, a heart that's growing in closeness to Jesus. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Pastor Wells explains his new book, 'Joy Bomb: Unleash Jesus's Explosive Joy for an Extraordinary Life,' that true joy is 'rooted in God's unchanging character and boundless love for us.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Miami Herald
12-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Joel Osteen's net worth: The TV preacher's wealth & income in 2025
Fast facts: Televangelist Joel Osteen is one of the most popular Christian preachers in the U.S. and the world, with 5.9 million followers on Instagram, 10 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), and 28 million followers on Facebook. Osteen is the head preacher at Lakewood megachurch in Texas, America's largest Christian has drawn widespread criticism from Christians and non-Christians alike, both for his visibly lavish lifestyle and for preaching the controversial prosperity gospel, which teaches that faithful Christians are more likely to be rewarded with material wealth. Here's what you need to know about his wealth, income, and spending in 2025. In the Bible, a passage in Proverbs 11.28 reads, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf," while another in Mark 6.24 reads, "You cannot serve God and wealth." Overall, the Bible tends not to equate wealth with righteousness, but that hasn't stopped charismatic prosperity gospel preachers like Joel Osteen from crafting their own unique brand of financially focused Christian wisdom-and banking some serious wealth in the process. Osteen, the senior pastor at Houston's massive Lakewood Church, is among the most popular Christian preachers in the United States. According to FeedSpot, a company that catalogues social media influencers, Osteen is the third most popular pastor on Instagram at 5.9 million followers. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Osteen is best known for his weekly Lakewood Church service, which is broadcast nationwide on television networks like CBS, FOX, and TBN and can also be streamed on-demand on YouTube, Facebook, and the Lakewood Church website. He also cohosts a daily podcast with his wife, Victoria, sharing half-hour episodes that cover topics like goals, relationships, money, and humor from his Word of Faith perspective. Interestingly, Osteen doesn't take a salary from the Lakewood Church for his preaching and hasn't since 2005. Nevertheless, he's still managed to accumulate an impressive net worth, primarily via advances and royalties from his book. Osteen is a prolific author, having published 26 books since 2004-that's an average of almost two and a half books per year. His newest release, Graced to Go, hits shelves on July 29. Now, more than a quarter century into his career as the head pastor at America's largest megachurch, here's what Osteen is worth, how he built his wealth, and how he spends his sources estimate Osteen's wealth to be north of $100 million as of mid-2025. In 2018, the Indianapolis Star reported that Osteen was worth over $50 million, meaning that if current estimates are correct, he may have doubled his wealth over the last decade-an impressive feat given the economic difficulties ignited by the COVID-19 pandemic and the inflationary pressures that followed. Fact-checking authority Snopes points out that no mentions of Osteen's net worth over the years have provided veritable sources, but given the value of his two Houston mansions, we know that his net worth is at least around $17 million based on his real estate holdings alone. Assuming he possesses other valuable assets, like cash and investments, his true net worth is likely much higher. Related: Tony Robbins' net worth: The self-help kingpin's wealth & income As mentioned above, Osteen has not drawn a salary for his role as head preacher at Lakewood since 2005. According to a 2018 article from the Indy Star, the salary for his position is set at $200,000, so it's possible that he made $1 million or more in pay from the church during his early years as senior pastor after his father's death in 1999. Osteen's book deals & sales royalties The bulk of Osteen's income, however, no doubt comes from his wildly successful books. His first book, 2004's Your Best Life Now, reportedly sold over 8 million copies and remained on the New York Times' bestseller list for over two years. The massive success of his debut effort landed him a massive deal with Simon & Schuster's Free Press, which reportedly offered Osteen a deal worth north of $8.5 million for his sophomore effort, 2007's Become a Better You. An editor's note in a 2009 Forbes interview indicates that this payout may actually have been as high as $13 million. Sales numbers for his subsequent books-all 24 of them-are more difficult to find, but according to a video uploaded to YouTube by Steve Waldren, a pastor at New Life of Albany church, Osteen had sold over 20 million books by January of 2022. Seven of his 26 books have made their way to the New York Times bestseller list, according to publisher Simon & Schuster. Several outlets have reported that Osteen earns $55 million annually from book sales, but none cite a credible source, and this figure seems unrealistically public speaking income Outside of book deals and royalties, which most sources agree represent Osteen's largest income stream, the famed televangelist also draws income from public speaking engagements at events. According to talent agency All American Speakers, Osteen's speaking fee for in-person events ranges from $100,000 to $200,000. His speaking fee for virtual events is not listed. For comparison, self-help coach Tony Robbins' speaking fee ranges from $500,000 to $750,000. Related: Mike Lindell's net worth after defamation verdict "It's God's will for you to live in prosperity instead of poverty" may be Osteen's best-known quote, and it's certainly a central tenet of his prosperity gospel preaching. And with a potential net worth of $100 million, he doesn't just talk the talk-he puts his money where his mouth is. Here's a look at some of Osteen's biggest purchases, including real estate, vehicles, and more. More net worth: Dave Ramsey's net worth: The retirement expert's wealth in 2025Daniel Lubetzky's net worth: The 'Shark Tank' billionaire's wealth in 2025Mark Cuban's net worth ahead of 'Shark Tank' departure Joel Osteen's real estate: the Mansion of Dreams & the Tanglewood Mansion Osteen purchased his current primary residence, dubbed the Mansion of Dreams, for $10.9 million in 2010. The 17,000-square-foot Houston abode sits on 1.86 acres and boasts six bedrooms and six bathrooms. The property, built in 1937, reportedly also features a separate guest house, an outdoor pool, multiple elevators, and five wood-burning fireplaces. As of mid-2025, the estimated value of the Mansion of Dreams has increased to $14.29 million, according to Zillow. Osteen's previous Houston residence, known as the Tanglewood Mansion, remains in his real estate portfolio, as he chose not to sell it when he moved in 2010. This property is smaller, with just four bedrooms and four bathrooms, and was valued at $2.9 million in 2010. Does Joel Osteen own yachts, jets, and sports cars? There seems to be quite a bit of controversy surrounding Osteen's supposed ownership of various high-end vehicles, with sources disagreeing as to the veracity of widespread rumors regarding the megachurch pastor's penchant for yachts, sports cars, and private jets. A 2017 article in the Washington Post exploring popular criticisms of Osteen and his opulent lifestyle mentioned his "yachts and jets" but did not go into more detail. This may simply have been a reference to a parody headline released by satire website the Babylon Bee earlier that year that read "Joel Osteen Sails Luxury Yacht Through Flooded Houston To Pass Out Copies Of 'Your Best Life Now.'" A 2024 article in Newsweek noted that widespread rumours about Osteen's ownership of yachts and luxury sports cars have not been substantiated. That being said, a popular YouTube video by Nicki Swift claims that Osteen has a large garage full of high-end cars, including a Ferrari 458 Italia. A 2024 article from the Daily Mail, however, contradicts this claim specifically. This same Daily Mail article also states that Osteen does not own a private jet, but a 2024 article from We Got This Covered disagrees, claiming he specifically owns a $68 million Airbus A319, one of the most expensive aircraft available to the public. Related: Linda McMahon's net worth: From WWE to Education Secretary Osteen's philanthropic donations Joel Osteen, who has been nicknamed the smiling preacher for his cheerful demeanor, doesn't just spend his money on mansions-he also makes charitable donations, some through Lakewood Church, and others directly. That being said, many have criticized Lakewood for how little of its massive income it diverts to those in need. According to the Houston Chronicle, Lakewood brought in $89 million in 2017, with more than 90% of that income comprising donations from church members and followers. That same year, the church donated a mere $1.2 million - less than 1% of its income - to charitable causes. Osteen and his wife are also well known for donating to Feed the Children, a global nonprofit that is rated four out of five stars by Charity Navigator. The org has come under fire in the past for its financial practices, however, once receiving an F grade from Charity Watch for spending too much of its money on fundraising efforts, staff, and other administrative expenses, resulting in a comparatively small percentage of its income serving its stated mission of providing food to struggling communities. Related: Suze Orman's net worth in 2025: The personal finance icon's wealth The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Lakewood Church demolition starts, steeple preserved after fire
FLINT, Texas (KETK) – Lakewood Church members started demolishing their former church building on Sunday, after the structure was irreparably damaged in a fire on April 14. Flint church holds fundraiser after devasting fire deemed total loss in April Sunday was the day of Pentecost and church members said that day was special in that it marks a new beginning for their church. 'Today is the day of Pentecost and it just so happens that it's all starting today and that's the day of fresh beginnings, the day God started a new thing on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus died. And so that is also a new thing for us, that we're starting this new building,' Lakewood Church pastor Raymond Graham said. 'God will make all things new.' While the building and most of the things inside it were unsalvageable, they were able to carefully remove the church's steeple. They plan on using that steeple for their new church building, which they hope to have open by Christmas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Flint church to hold fundraiser after devasting fire deemed total loss in April
FLINT, Texas (KETK)–The Lakewood Church in Flint is holding a fundraiser in Tyler throughout Saturday evening to help with the rebuilding process of their new church that suffered from a devasting fire destroying the main part of their sanctuary on April 14th. The fundraiser is happening at Panera Bread in Tyler from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with 25% of sales during the event going directly to Lakewood Church. 'All of that money will go into the building fund,' Lakewood Church Pastor Raymond said. 'Of course, we did have insurance and so we do have that currently in the building fund. The demolition of the old building will start Monday.' Rusk woman celebrated for 70 year dedication to community After the fire took place and up until now, they said the support they've received from around East Texas has been overwhelming. 'We've been offered chairs for the new building when we get it built,' Graham added. 'We've been offered pews for the new building when we get it built. There's several people that have those things and offering their expertise.' People can watch the full interview above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
