Joel Osteen, Mark Burnett team up on TV show

Topics: Television ,; Celebrity

Joel Osteen, right, and his wife, Victoria, left, celebrate the grand opening of the new home for the Lakewood Church July 16, 2005, in Houston.

(Credit: JESSICA KOURKOUNIS)

(CBS/AP) Houston televangelist Joel Osteen is a preacher, lecturer and author. Soon, he'll add reality TV star to his accomplishments.

The leader of a Texas megachurch, whose Sunday services are broadcast to audiences around the world, has signed an agreement to work with producer Mark Burnett to develop a reality show about his mission trips with members of his Lakewood Church.

Osteen, 48, announced the agreement Tuesday. He said the program would also feature Victoria, his wife of more than two decades.

Osteen also travels a cross the country presenting programs in large arenas. He is the author of several best-selling books, the latest of which is "Every Day a Friday."

The British-born Burnett is executive producer of the CBS hit show "Survivor'' and creator of such reality series as "Celebrity Apprentice," "The Voice" and "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?"

Lakewood Church's website says its broadcasts reach more than 200 million households. Its headquarters is the former Compaq Center, which the NBA's Houston Rockets once called home. It took more than 15 months and $75 million to convert the arena into a church.

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by longtree-2009 November 30, 2011 6:15 PM EST: sure would like to see his financial statement and that of his church. bet it comes into the millions of dollars with joel worth millions. bet they pay no taxes at all. people are gullible so let joel fleece them of their hard earned money.; Reply to this comment

by FerdFerkle November 30, 2011 3:18 PM EST

2Corinthians 2:17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.

Matt 6:5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

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by markag55 November 30, 2011 3:56 PM EST: Even though I'm not religious, nor even Christian for that matter (I'm Jewish), these two quotes from the New Testament say it all. Thank you, FerdFerkle.


by FerdFerkle November 30, 2011 3:14 PM EST: 2Corinthians 2:17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.; Reply to this comment

by retiredgustav November 30, 2011 3:08 PM EST

Just don't drink the Koolaid.

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by markag55 November 30, 2011 3:59 PM EST: I don't think Osteen has a "cult" going on. He simply wants power, prestige, and a reality show. If this show turns out like Burnett's other TV reality creations, it will only serve to show what a hypocrite Osteen really is. I wonder what he says in private, behind closed doors? I'm sure that it's not in the Bible!