Huffington Magazine Issue 52 | Page 41

BILL O’LEARY/THE WASHINGTON POST VIA GETTY IMAGES CLICK ‘PRAY’ TO PRAY itive thinking and attaining personal prosperity through Christianity has attracted both devout followers and strident critics, who argue he preaches a watered-down version of the Bible that overemphasizes material wealth. But his breed of selfempowerment evangelicalism — “Be a victor, not a victim,” “[God] wants us to enjoy every single day of our lives” — has proved so popular, Osteen delivers his song-filled sermons to traveling Night of Hope events held monthly in different HUFFINGTON 06.09.13 cities around the world. He’s also authored several bestsellers and reaches 10 million homes a month via his weekly TV broadcast. He has a passion for television and doesn’t seem to have ever met a camera he didn’t like. “TV is Joel’s heart,” notes Madding. But seeing new opportunities to expand his following and spread his brand of inspiration, Osteen has lately sought to master a new field: digi-vangelism. In his telling, social media enables him to “impact more people in a positive way” — an impact he no doubt hopes will ultimately tether believers and non-believers D.C. resident Danielle Logan prays during Osteen’s sermon at Nationals Park on April 29, 2012, in Washington, D.C.