Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen's Welcome to New York Dinner at the National Arts Club April 21, 2009

April 21, 2009, New York City. Pastor Joel Osteen brought his message of love, hope and encouragement to New York City. Tonight's dinner at the National Art's Club honoring Joel and Victoria Osteen was a preview to their upcoming "Historic Night of Hope" event that will take place at the new Yankee Stadium on April 25th. Victoria Osteen greeted guests stating, "God knows you are blessed by your hearts desires and the things you hold dear, we are pleased to be in New York and feel that God is pleased with you."

Emcee Rita Cosby said that Joel Osteen is "giving back" all over the world and decided to "give back" to the New York tri-state area after receiving a call from someone asking him to open Yankee Stadium. Joel Osteen ministries will distribute 5,000 free tickets to needy families for the "Historic Night of Hope." In cooperation with Feed the Children, 2 million dollars worth of food will be distributed to needy families in the tri-state area.

Sharon Bush, who is largely responsible for helping ensure that New York's "Night of Hope" is a success spoke through tears. She shared some of the difficulties she experienced in her life, stating, " I used to drive to the other side of town in Texas to attend the Osteen's tiny church in a seed store. Now that tiny little church has grown to be the largest church in the country." Bush described Victoria and Joel Osteen as caring and compassionate human beings.

Joel Osteen has a calming affect on people. He has a certain aura, perhaps it is his spirituality. Pastor Osteen was pleasant and grounded, maintaining complete focus on each individual he spoke with. Osteen said, "When you give good to God, He will give you good in return." He spoke of his shyness, sharing that he never wanted to speak publicly choosing to stay behind the scenes of his fathers church for 10 years. Osteen said, "When my father, a minister, died in 1999, I said my first sermon. I stepped up and took over the ministry-God does amazing things, I never thought I'd be a minister. Now God has opened another door, I am invited to speak at Yankee Stadium, I never thought I would do that either." Osteen said he does not talk down to people, he believes in lifting them up. He closed with a prayer and some humor, "Our prayer for you is that we see God do amazing things in your life." Adding, "We should all pray for the Yankee's to start winning as well."

It was a very moving evening. Tomaczek Bednarek entertained us with his music. Co-Chairs were Sharon Bush, Diane Bernhard, O. Aldon James, Margo Lanenberg, and Jean Shafiroff. The National Arts Club was the perfect location for such a warm and loving night of hope and love.

Lakewood Church services, led by Pastor Joel Osteen, are seen in over 100 nations around the world. Joel's first book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, was released in October 2004. In December 2006, he was named one of the year's "Ten Most Fascinating People" by Barbara Walters. Osteen released his second book, titled Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day in October 2007, which topped the New York Times Best Sellers List with a first printing of three million copies. Osteen told Larry King the new book focused more on relationships and not getting stuck where we are in life. "Just my basic message of becoming all God's created you to be," His popularity led to him being featured as one of ABC News' "10 Most Fascinating People of 2006."

Story and photos by Sara Herbert-Galloway
To view more photos go to http://www.herbertcollection.com
Story on http://www.blacktiemagazine.com