April 21, 2009, New York City. Pastor Osteen
brought his message of love, hope and
encouragement to New York City. Tonight's
dinner at the National Art's
Club honoring Joel and Victoria Osteen was a
preview to their upcoming "Historic Night of
Hope" event that will take place at the new
Yankee Stadium on April 25th. Victoria
Osteen greeted guests stating, "God knows
you are blessed by your hearts desires and
the things you hold dear, we are pleased to
be in New York and feel that God is pleased
with you."
Emcee Rita Cosby said that Joel Osteen is
"giving back" all over the world and decided
to "give back" to the New York tri-state
area after receiving a call from someone
asking him to open Yankee Stadium. Joel
Osteen ministries will distribute 5,000 free
tickets to needy families for the "Historic
Night of Hope." In cooperation with Feed
the Children, 2 million dollars worth of
food will be distributed to needy families
in the tri-state area.
Joel Osteen has a calming affect on people.
He has a certain aura, perhaps it is his
spirituality. Pastor Osteen was pleasant and
grounded, maintaining complete focus on each
individual he spoke with. Osteen said, "When
you give good to God, He will give you good
in return." He spoke of his shyness, sharing
that he never wanted to speak publicly
choosing to stay behind the scenes of his
fathers church for 10 years. Osteen said,
"When my father, a minister, died in 1999,
I said my first sermon. I stepped up and
took over the ministry-God does amazing
things, I never thought I'd be a minister.
Now God has opened another door, I am
invited to speak at Yankee Stadium, I never
thought I would do that either." Osteen said
he does not talk down to people, he believes
in lifting them up. He closed with a prayer
and some humor, "Our prayer for you is that
we see God do amazing things in your life."
Adding, "We should all pray for the Yankee's
to start winning as well."
It was a very moving evening. Tomaczek
Bednarek entertained us with his music.
Co-Chairs were Sharon Bush, Diane Bernhard,
O. Aldon James, Margo Lanenberg, and Jean
Shafiroff. The National Arts Club was the
perfect location for such a warm and loving
night of hope and love.
Lakewood Church services, led by Pastor Joel
Osteen, are seen in over 100 nations around
the world. Joel's first book,
Your Best Life Now: 7
Steps to Living at Your Full Potential,
was released in October 2004. In December
2006, he was named one of the year's "Ten
Most Fascinating People" by
Barbara Walters.
Osteen released his second book, titled
Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving
Your Life Every Day in October 2007,
which topped the New York Times Best Sellers
List with a first printing of three million
copies. Osteen told Larry King the new book
focused more on relationships and not
getting stuck where we are in life. "Just my
basic message of becoming all God's created
you to be," His popularity led to him being
featured as one of
ABC News'
"10 Most Fascinating People of 2006."