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Jan. 24, 2024
The $100 Million Reason Joel Osteen Was In Tears
Discover the incredible journey of Lakewood Church, from a humble sports arena to an awe-inspiring haven of faith and community. Joel Osteen shares the heart-felt the challenges they faced and the unexpected blessings that helped them overcome a staggering $100 million renovation cost. This debt-free triumph is a testament to resilience, community support, and unwavering faith. Be inspired by their story and witness the power of determination and unity in achieving the impossible.
CNEWS: https://www.charismanews.com/culture/94143-joel-osteen-reveals-100-million-miracle
Transcript
1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,880
Joel Osteen The world-renowned speaker and pastor of Lakewood Church wasn't always preaching
2
00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:08,420
in the awe-inspiring auditorium the church now calls home.
3
00:00:08,420 --> 00:00:13,600
19 years ago, the church embarked on a transformative mission to turn the compact center, a sports
4
00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:19,080
arena with a basketball pass, into a haven for thousands seeking faith and community.
5
00:00:19,080 --> 00:00:22,320
However, the journey wasn't without its challenges.
6
00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:27,000
Underneath those arena bleachers were service areas, locker rooms, and a far cry from the
7
00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:30,240
spaces needed for a thriving church community.
8
00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:32,600
Lakewood had dreams, but they needed more.
9
00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:37,000
Their dreams faced a significant roadblock when the bids came in for the renovation,
10
00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,360
a staggering $100 million.
11
00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:46,160
The initial $11.5 million lease for 60 years was a far cry from what was needed.
12
00:00:46,160 --> 00:00:48,920
A daunting financial reality set in.
13
00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:53,960
When Pastor Joel Osteen approached a longtime bank for support, the response was disheartening.
14
00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:58,480
Doubt loomed large with the bank expressing skepticism about Lakewood's ability to raise
15
00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:00,280
the necessary funds.
16
00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:01,280
It was a tough blow.
17
00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:04,600
I discourage it first until I let it go in one ear and out the other.
18
00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:06,800
I thought, God, our bank is not our source.
19
00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:08,160
You are our source.
20
00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:13,880
Yet in the face of adversity, Lakewood Church found an unexpected ally in Bank of America.
21
00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:17,800
With no knowledge of the church's financial situation, the bank presented a check for
22
00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:23,240
$25 million, a pivotal moment that shifted the course of Lakewood's journey.
23
00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:25,200
They've never seen our financials.
24
00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:28,840
They had a check for $25 million that they said we could borrow.
25
00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:29,840
I thought...
26
00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:45,400
We've back a lot of memories of the faithfulness of God.
27
00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:53,640
So, I saw that $25 million and I said, y'all, we'll let it borrow $25 million and you'll
28
00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:55,880
let it borrow $100 million.
29
00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:57,520
They said we'll do it.
30
00:01:57,520 --> 00:01:59,760
Bank of America loaned us $100 million.
31
00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:04,280
Armed with newfound financial support, Lakewood Church began building momentum.
32
00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:08,560
From the renovations to the expansion plans, the community rallied together, fueled by
33
00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:12,560
a shared vision and a collective belief in the power of faith.
34
00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:17,560
As we fast forward to December 31st of this last year, Lakewood Church had a monumental
35
00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:19,000
announcement to make.
36
00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:23,000
Through the faithful giving of its members, the church proudly declared the payoff of
37
00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:24,880
the $100 million loan.
38
00:02:24,880 --> 00:02:33,120
As of December 31st of last year, we have officially paid off the $100 million loan.
39
00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:39,120
A debt-free triumph that stood as a testament to resilience, community support, and unwavering
40
00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:40,120
faith.
41
00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:44,080
The isn't just Lakewood Church's story, it's a celebration of the incredible community
42
00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:45,680
that stood by its side.
43
00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:50,840
The journey from a basketball arena to a thriving church serves as an inspiration to us all.
44
00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:55,880
A reminder that challenges can be overcome with determination, unity, and a sprinkle
45
00:02:55,880 --> 00:03:11,960
of unexpected blessings.
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,880
Joel Osteen The world-renowned speaker and pastor of Lakewood Church wasn't always preaching
2
00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:08,420
in the awe-inspiring auditorium the church now calls home.
3
00:00:08,420 --> 00:00:13,600
19 years ago, the church embarked on a transformative mission to turn the compact center, a sports
4
00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:19,080
arena with a basketball pass, into a haven for thousands seeking faith and community.
5
00:00:19,080 --> 00:00:22,320
However, the journey wasn't without its challenges.
6
00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:27,000
Underneath those arena bleachers were service areas, locker rooms, and a far cry from the
7
00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:30,240
spaces needed for a thriving church community.
8
00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:32,600
Lakewood had dreams, but they needed more.
9
00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:37,000
Their dreams faced a significant roadblock when the bids came in for the renovation,
10
00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,360
a staggering $100 million.
11
00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:46,160
The initial $11.5 million lease for 60 years was a far cry from what was needed.
12
00:00:46,160 --> 00:00:48,920
A daunting financial reality set in.
13
00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:53,960
When Pastor Joel Osteen approached a longtime bank for support, the response was disheartening.
14
00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:58,480
Doubt loomed large with the bank expressing skepticism about Lakewood's ability to raise
15
00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:00,280
the necessary funds.
16
00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:01,280
It was a tough blow.
17
00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:04,600
I discourage it first until I let it go in one ear and out the other.
18
00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:06,800
I thought, God, our bank is not our source.
19
00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:08,160
You are our source.
20
00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:13,880
Yet in the face of adversity, Lakewood Church found an unexpected ally in Bank of America.
21
00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:17,800
With no knowledge of the church's financial situation, the bank presented a check for
22
00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:23,240
$25 million, a pivotal moment that shifted the course of Lakewood's journey.
23
00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:25,200
They've never seen our financials.
24
00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:28,840
They had a check for $25 million that they said we could borrow.
25
00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:29,840
I thought...
26
00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:45,400
We've back a lot of memories of the faithfulness of God.
27
00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:53,640
So, I saw that $25 million and I said, y'all, we'll let it borrow $25 million and you'll
28
00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:55,880
let it borrow $100 million.
29
00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:57,520
They said we'll do it.
30
00:01:57,520 --> 00:01:59,760
Bank of America loaned us $100 million.
31
00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:04,280
Armed with newfound financial support, Lakewood Church began building momentum.
32
00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:08,560
From the renovations to the expansion plans, the community rallied together, fueled by
33
00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:12,560
a shared vision and a collective belief in the power of faith.
34
00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:17,560
As we fast forward to December 31st of this last year, Lakewood Church had a monumental
35
00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:19,000
announcement to make.
36
00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:23,000
Through the faithful giving of its members, the church proudly declared the payoff of
37
00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:24,880
the $100 million loan.
38
00:02:24,880 --> 00:02:33,120
As of December 31st of last year, we have officially paid off the $100 million loan.
39
00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:39,120
A debt-free triumph that stood as a testament to resilience, community support, and unwavering
40
00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:40,120
faith.
41
00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:44,080
The isn't just Lakewood Church's story, it's a celebration of the incredible community
42
00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:45,680
that stood by its side.
43
00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:50,840
The journey from a basketball arena to a thriving church serves as an inspiration to us all.
44
00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:55,880
A reminder that challenges can be overcome with determination, unity, and a sprinkle
45
00:02:55,880 --> 00:03:11,960
of unexpected blessings.
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