Rise of Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen

by Richard Young

Overview

He was the most unlikely of protégés--a young man with no college or seminary degree and virtually no preaching experience. Yet, Joel Osteen was handed the reins of his father's lifelong ministry when John Osteen died suddenly in 1999.
Here are the behind-the-scenes details of the miraculous rise of Lakewood Church from humble beginnings in a Texas feed store to becoming the largest church in America. Learn the inside story that catapulted Joel Osteen to prominence as one of the most influential Christian voices of our generation.
From the life and times of John and Joel Osteen, you will learn the power of vision, humility, integrity, faith, and much more.
You will be inspired and encouraged, and never again will you doubt what God can do with those who are fully devoted to Him!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781603742856
Publisher:	Whitaker House
Publication date:	02/01/2012
Pages:	264
Sales rank:	299,918
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Richard Young is a former educator, businessman, and pastor. The son of a Free Will Baptist pastor, Richard started preaching at fourteen and pastoring at twenty. He comes from a great heritage of preachers and pastors, as there has been a member of his family in the ministry consistently since 1876. Richard has been a writer all of his adult life, writing corporate training manuals and collegiate self-study courses, as well as two textbooks. He has written articles for both Christian and secular magazines and journals. His published biographies include The Rise of Lakewood ChurchandJoel Osteen, The Journey of T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, and Messengers of Healing (the story of Charles and Frances Hunter).
Richard received his B.A. and M.S. degrees from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. He has completed the coursework for his doctorate in education at Oklahoma State University. He served as vice president of academics at American Christian College and Seminary in Oklahoma City, as well as dean of academics at Oklahoma Junior College. He also was a trainer for Century 21 across the state of Oklahoma.
Richard and his wife, Brenda, have been married for more than three decades.

Table of Contents

Foreword   Charles   Frances Hunter     11
Preface     13
Introduction: The Lakewood Experience     15
The Ministry of John Osteen, Lakewood's Legacy
God Calls Out His Servant     25
The Spirit Begins to Move     37
God Is Awesome, But Not Everyone Believes     49
Houston and the World     55
Mary's Miracle     61
God Blesses Lakewood     65
Dodie's Battle     77
Times of Transition
Lakewood Takes to the Air     87
The Lakewood Legacy     93
The End of an Era     103
A Vision for the Future     115
The Ministry of Joel Osteen, Lakewood's Blessing
Joel's Leadership Builds a Team     125
Joel's Vision for Sundays     141
Joel and Victoria     149
The Osteen Family     159
Writing a Best Seller     169
Talking to the Press     177
An Evening with Joel Osteen     185
The Compaq Center     195
Occupying the Promised Land     209
Lakewood: The Largest Church in America     219
Criticisms and Concerns     225
From Obscurity to Prominence     243
Endnotes     257
About the Author     267

Editorial Reviews

Once again the Lord proves it is His choice whom He uses. In The Rise of Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen, Richard Young documents the miracle that began with a simple man full of faith in the most unlikely location in Houston and reached its apex with the rightful heir in the largest church in America. It is a challenging book that proves radical obedience to the will of God works in the most difficult struggles and greatest opportunities.
—Richard Hogue, Senior Pastor, Citychurch, Oklahoma City
 


 


Whether you agree or disagree with the ministry of Joel Osteen and the Lakewood Church, you will never see either of them the same again after you read this book. Richard Young has honored both his readers, Joel, and Lakewood in his thoroughness of sharing their amazing story. Even critics will be ignorant about the church and of the issues if they ignore this book.
—Dr. John Vaughan, Author of The World’s 20 Largest Churches, Megachurches and America’s Cities, and America’s Most Influential Churches 

From the Publisher