Joyce Meyer: Biography, Ministry, Books, and More

In today's article, we will talk about Joyce meyer known as a pastor, writer, author and Christian speaker, of great influence in the United States.

Biography of Joyce Meyer

Pauline Hutchison Joyce Meyer, better known as Joyce Meyer, was born on June 4, 1943 in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States. In addition to her pastoral work, she is recognized for her long career as a Christian author and lecturer, noted for her teachings and prophecies over the years.

He is credited with the authorship of more than 100 books, which we will be talking about later. In the same way, his radio and television program has managed to reach more than 200 countries and has been translated into more than 25 languages, in all of Central America and Latin America it was broadcast until today by the television channel Enlace Tv.

For the year 2005, he was ranked number 17 in the ranking of the "25 most influential evangelicals in the United States", this published by Times magazine.

Childhood of Joyce Meyer

His childhood was lived in the neighborhood of O'Fallon, which is located specifically north of San Luis, Missouri. From a very young age she lived alone with her mother.

The reason for this was that his father enlisted in the army shortly after his birth, to participate actively during World War II, an experience from which he survived and returned home in 1945, when the culmination of war was declared. war.

However, after her father returned, he began to abuse her both physically, verbally and psychologically, episodes that marked Joyce's life, and about which she has spoken on several occasions both in interviews and with her congregation.

Despite the insecurities she may have felt about being a direct victim of abuse, she did not allow this to stop her and prompted her to give up her studies, which she finished and managed to graduate from O'Fallon Technical High School in San Luis. .

Family Life of Joyce Meyer

After graduation, she married a car salesman of whom there is no record of his name, with whom she maintained a relationship for 5 years, during which time she assures that she was deceived on multiple occasions.

She also reported that on one occasion this person pressured her to steal some cars from the company he worked for and thus be able to go on vacation to California. Although the robbery was carried out, she claims to have returned all the money some time later.

After her divorce, she met her current husband Dave Meyer, a project engineer whom she married on January 7, 1967.

In 2017 they celebrated 50 years of marriage, in addition to the fruit of their love, 4 children were born, who are now adults and live near San Luis, where the main headquarters of the ministry led by their mother is.

Call of Joyce Meyer

One morning in 1976, she claims to have had a direct encounter with the Lord, she claims to have heard the voice of God calling her by name, this happened while she was praying on her way to work.

Despite having been a Christian from an early age, approximately 9 years old, it was not until she had this experience that she decided to follow the Lord with all her strength and heart.

During one of his sermons, he spoke of this encounter with God and expressed it verbatim in this way:

“I had no knowledge. He had not been to church. I had a lot of problems, and I needed someone to help me move forward. Sometimes I even thought of people who wanted to serve God, if they had so many problems that they weren't thinking right, acting right, and behaving right, and they also needed someone to take them by the hand and lead them back to their first steps. years."

Joyce Meyer Ministry

Her ministry began when she took the position of a teacher, who was the leader of a morning devotional, this was held in a cafeteria in the neighborhood where she lived, at the same time she began to actively attend: "Life Christian Center", she is it is a church that identifies itself as charismatic evangelical.

A few years later, by calling of the Lord in the church, she was given the opportunity to be part of the pastoral train, giving her the title of associate pastor.

Along with this appointment, he began what would become the strong point of his work, which was a series of teachings and sermons that were addressed to women, these studies were called: "Life in the Word."

It is also known that Meyer's first radio ministry consisted of a daily program that lasted 15 minutes and was broadcast on the local radio station in San Luis.

By the year 1985, Joyce resigned from the position of associate pastor that had been given to her at "Life Christian Center", to start her own independent ministry, which at that time bore the same name as the women's Bible studies that had come realizing: «Life in the Word».

In the meantime, his radio show began to grow and broadcasts began on about six radio stations that were located between Chicago and Kansas City.

But this didn't just stop there, for 1993 God put a much bigger dream in the heart of her husband Dave, who makes the suggestion to start a television ministry. From there was born what is known today as «Enjoying Everyday Life / Enjoying daily life».

This television program was initially broadcast on WGN-TV and BET, this later expanded reaching more than 200 countries, being seen by more than 4500 billion people. Many of his viewers affirm that he helped them to be restored and to guide their steps in the way of Jesus Christ.

Today her program continues to be broadcast on many channels worldwide, despite the fact that some of her broadcasts have been suspended, this was motivated in the first place by the life full of excesses she led, which is why she has been strongly criticized and indicated.

And secondly, for giving some teachings that were not aligned with what the word of God says. She is recognized for having opened for the year 2000, together with her husband, the center for social service and evangelical ministry called: «Saint-Louis Dream Center», located in the O'Fallon neighborhood in San Luis.

If you want to continue reading, about other Christian leaders such as Charles Stanley, known for being a pastor with great influence, as well as being the founder of the “In Touch Ministry”, click here.

Books

Throughout her life she has been the author of more than 100 books, which have marked the lives of millions of people, here we are going to mention the 12 most important and that she herself points out are her favorites:

I Dare You: Embrace Life With Passion/ I Dare You: Embrace Life With Passion

Published in 2007, where he encourages us to know what our purpose is, not asking what God is going to do with us, but what he is going to do through us.

Look Great Feel Great: Joyce shares twelve practical keys that will help you look and feel great/ Look Great, Feel Great: Joyce shares twelve practical keys that will help you look and feel great

Published in 2006, it offers us a series of tips to help increase our self-esteem and understand how valuable we are, having a life that spreads God's love.

Approval Addiction: Overcoming Your Need to Please Everyone/ Addiction to Approval: Overcoming Your Need to Please Everyone

Published in 2005, it speaks directly to us about how there is a tendency today for people to obsessively seek the approval of others, shows a guide based on the Bible to stop feeling that need and start focusing on the only necessary approval that is God's.

Straight Talk: Overcoming Emotional Battles with the Power of God's Word

Published in 2005, it helps us fight, based on the word of God, feelings of depression, insecurity, stress, fear, worry, among others.

In Pursuit of Peace: 21 Ways to Conquer Anxiety, Fear, and Discontentment/ In Pursuit of Peace: 21 Ways to Conquer Anxiety, Fear, and Discontent

Published in 2004, one of his best-selling books, where he offers us a guide to experience a life full of tranquility.

The Secret Power of Speaking God's Word/ The secret power of speaking the word of God

Published in 2004, it shows us how powerful the word of God can be, and that our mouth must not only be kept away from negative thoughts, but must be full of positive statements based on the Scriptures and in this way be able to activate our faith.

How to Hear from God: Learn to Know His Voice and Make Right Decisions/ How to Hear from God: Learn to Know His Voice and Make Right Decisions

Published in 2003, it teaches us how to hear God's voice and the many ways He speaks and how this is vital to following His plan for our lives.

Me and My Big Mouth: Your Answer is Right Under Your Nose

Published in 2002, it advises us how to be able to control our mouth and not seem to have a life of its own at times. Thinking before speaking has to be our priority as human beings and Christians, since the words we say can define our path or life.

Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind/ The Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind

Published in 1993, it describes how to deal with thousands of thoughts that we can have every day and how to focus the mind so that it thinks as God would. It helps combat mental attacks of worry, doubt, confusion, depression, anger and any feeling of condemnation.

Confident Woman: Start Living Today Resolutely and Without Fear

Published in 2006, using her life as an example, her own insecurity and the hatred she felt for herself, and how she managed to acquire the necessary confidence to be able to admire her full potential.

The Power of Simple Prayer: How to Talk with God about Everything/ The power of simple prayer

Published in 2007, it reveals the incredible power that comes from the simple act of praying, explaining the keys to unanswered prayer, the obstacles to effective prayer, and the Bible's role in it.

100 Ways to Simplify Your Life/ 100 ways to simplify your life

Published in 2007, he shares the most effective secrets he's learned over the years to make the most of every minute of the day, giving us eminently "doable" advice that's clear, good, and simple.

main teachings

Many of the teachings of Pastor Joyce Meyer revolve around her own experiences, she has written and taught on numerous occasions how to overcome fear, depression and guilt, feelings that she herself was able to experience in her childhood when going through complicated situations.

In addition to repeatedly showing how to deal with situations of daily life and overcome all the obstacles that, as a person and as a Christian, can be presented to us, he transmits his messages with a particular sense of humor and frankly showing his weaknesses.

She has dedicated herself to teaching and helping women to accept themselves and combat their self-esteem and non-acceptance issues, showing them how valuable they can be to God. In the same way, she has transmitted the message of the truth about Jesus Christ, instructing thousands of believers in his way and the truth of it.

Criticism of Joyce Meyer

Several pastors doubt his doctrinal and theological training, which is why they have questioned many of his teachings, saying in some way that he does not preach the absolute truth.

However, despite the strong criticism it can be proven that she obtained a Doctorate of Divinity, which she graduated with honors from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Another point that has received strong criticism is the luxurious life that it boasts. Joyce is currently the owner of several luxury properties, a private jet and it can be said that she has a capital valued at more than 25 million dollars.

The answer she has given on multiple occasions is that she should not apologize for being a person blessed by God.

Despite Meyer's answers, at present his ministry is classified with a "C", in the point that refers to transparency in the finances of his church, since annual reports of the expenses made are not presented, nor is it allowed that people who are not in any way connected with Meyer be included in the church directory.

One last aspect that called attention to Joyce's ministry was the inclusion in 2001 as youth pastor of Richard Leroy, who was an ex-convict accused of child abuse.

Although this information was known, for Pastor Meyer and the church authorities, it was not considered a danger to children, since it was constantly watched, for the year 2003 Leroy retired from the ministry, since it comes to light make his background public.

To learn more about the life of Brian Houston, a noted youth pastor, as well as the author of multiple books on Christian spiritual help, click here.