Joel Osteen, whose TV sermons are seen by more than 10 million Americans each week, is bringing his message to the Q Friday night.
Osteen's presentation, called "A Night of Hope," is described by the ministry as two-and-a-half hours of faith and inspiration. You do have to buy a ticket.
WKYC's Russ Mitchell had a chance to spend some time with Pastor Osteen today
"Are you preaching to the churchless, in large part?"
"Absolutely. I understand that many people weren't raised like me and don't understand all the Christian language that we use so I try to talk to the audiences just like my friends I play basket ball with who don't go to church, said Pastor Joel Osteen"
Joel Osteen believes 50 percent of his audiences who pack arenas and stadiums around the world don't go to church. Osteen's ministry has been called the fastest growing church in the country.
"Why do you think you've been able to connect with so many people?"
"You know, I don't know if I can put my finger on it. I think part of it the message is very positive and hopeful. There's a lot of things pushin' people down these days. Our ministry is about picking people up and I think people need that more than ever."
"There are people who say Joel Osteen preaches the gospel of prosperity. Listen to me, believe in God, give me money and you too will be prosperous. Is that a fair assessment?"
"I think that's what some people say but I don't think that's true about our ministry. Even when I hear that word, prospertit I don't ask for money on television. I purposefully stay away from that. I do believe God wants you to be blessed to be healthy and to excel. And not this poor ole me and I'm a Christian and I've got to be poor. I don't think that's the God we serve. I think we're supposed to be examples of what it means to serve a good God."
Pastor Osteen opposes same sex marriage and believes homosexuality is a sin but he also believes gays are allowed in heaven.
"If you just gotta be perfect to get into heaven, I don't know that anybody would go," said Osteen.
"Who's not allowed in heaven, in your mind?"
"I believe the Scripture teaches that a guarantee to get into heaven is to have a relationship with Christ. But I can't be the judge of who goes to heaven. I hope everybody goes. I don't think that's what the Bible teaches. I think you have to have a relationship with Christ."
Published reports say through book sales and donations, Osteen's Texas based ministry brings in $50-to $100 million a year. The July 13 program at the Q begins at 7:30 p.m.
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