Joel Osteen doesn’t preach just to the choir

He's been nicknamed "the smiling preacher." A college dropout who has never been to seminary school, Joel Osteen has nevertheless made a name for himself in the world of Christian evangelism. Once you meet him, it is quickly apparent why so many are captivated by his message. “Today” national correspondent Jamie Gangel talked with Osteen in Houston, Texas, in his first national television interview.

At first glance, the prayer and the music may sound familiar, but make no mistake — 41-year-old Joel Osteen is not your father's TV evangelist. There is no fire and brimstone in his church. If the message sounds simple and upbeat, that’s just the way he wants it.

Jamie Gangel: For people who have not seen your show, a lot of people say it's more motivational speaking, more self-help guru than preacher. How do you feel about that?

Joel Osteen: You know, that doesn't bother me because I want to help people. I think that Bible principles will help anybody.

Gangel: You get called the smiling preacher [laughter]. Does it bother you?

Osteen: No, you know what? I like it. I like it. I love to smile.

Funny and charismatic, Joel has a lot to smile about.

In the past five years, he has built the largest megachurch in the country, with 25,000 attending each week. The Christian-based, non-denominational congregation draws a remarkable mix of races, and his televised self-help sermons are number one in Nielsen ratings and broadcast all over the world.

And if that’s not enough, his book, "Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential," has topped the New York Times best-seller list, selling 1.5 million copies.

Gangel: If someone had told you growing up that this would happen, you would have said?

Osteen: That doesn't seem possible [laughter]. I'd just think there's no way.

Gangel: Because?

Osteen: Well, it just didn't feel like it was in me to get up in front of people to do that. I was very shy, really. Even today I'm very shy.

Hard to imagine, but for years Joel refused to preach.

His father John Osteen actually founded Lakewood in 1959 in an abandoned feed store.

He often asked his son to fill in, but Joel insisted he had stage fright, and instead worked behind the scenes of his father’s TV ministry.

Then one day, in 1999, his dad became ill and for the first time Joel said yes. Joel says he was so scared he clutched the podium the whole time and vowed he would never do it again. But six days later, his father suddenly died, and Joel felt it was his calling to take over.

MORE FROM TODAY

Today Section Front

Ruling disappoints MySpace victim's mom Jermaine Jackson: ‘I wish it was me’ To-die-for pie is testing Obama’s discipline James Frey turns to teen science-fiction novels Publisher releases S.C. governor from book contract McDonald’s to debut $4 Angus burgers Poo brew: Premium coffee is dung to a turn Looking at Lady Liberty from fresh perspectives July 4 is about more than fireworks — Ask Kitty Blanket’s godfather: I’m not his biological dad Today Section Front   Add Today headlines to your news reader: