Joyce Meyer

Pauline Joyce Meyer, born June 4, 1943, is a prominent American Charismatic Christian author, speaker, and the president of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Headquartered near St. Louis, Missouri, her ministry focuses on spreading Christian teachings and providing support. Meyer's early life included significant personal challenges, including alleged abuse and a difficult first marriage, which she has spoken about publicly. These experiences, she states, led her to a deeper spiritual commitment in 1976.

Her ministry evolved from leading Bible classes and associate pastorship to founding her own organization, initially called "Life in the Word." This expanded into radio and television broadcasting, with her program "Enjoying Everyday Life" still airing. Meyer's work gained wider recognition, leading to a significant book deal and inclusion in "Time" magazine's list of influential evangelicals. However, her ministry and personal lifestyle have also faced scrutiny regarding finances and perceived extravagance, prompting discussions about transparency and accountability within religious organizations.

Born Pauline Joyce Hutchison on June 4, 1943, in St. Louis, Meyer's early life was marked by significant hardship. Her father's service in World War II meant his absence at her birth, and she has spoken of experiencing sexual abuse from him upon his return. After graduating high school, she married a car salesman, a union that lasted five years and was characterized by infidelity and alleged pressure to steal from her employer, though she later stated she returned the money. Following her divorce, Meyer met and married Dave Meyer, an engineering draftsman, in 1967. A pivotal moment in her life occurred in 1976, when she described an intense prayer experience where she felt a divine calling. Although she had been born again as a child, this event spurred a deeper engagement with her faith, leading her to feel "drunk with the Spirit of God."

Meyer's spiritual journey led her to participate in a Bible class at a local cafeteria and become involved with Life Christian Center, a charismatic church in Fenton, Missouri. She rose to become the church's associate pastor, significantly contributing to its growth as a leading charismatic center due to her popularity as a Bible teacher. Concurrently, she launched a daily 15-minute radio broadcast. In 1985, she departed from the church to establish her own ministry, initially named "Life in the Word," and expanded her radio show's reach. Her husband, Dave, encouraged the launch of a television ministry in 1993, which eventually became known as "Enjoying Everyday Life" and continues to be broadcast today. This expansion brought her work to a wider audience, including mainstream platforms.

Meyer's success brought increased public attention, including scrutiny over her finances and lifestyle. In 2002, a major publisher acquired the rights to her existing books for over $10 million. However, reports in 2003 detailed significant expenditures by the ministry on assets such as a private jet, luxury vehicles, and lavish furnishings for the headquarters, estimated in the millions of dollars. These reports led to calls for IRS investigation. In response, Meyer announced a salary reduction and a change in how book royalties were handled, shifting them to personal income from outside sales rather than ministry donations. Despite these controversies, Meyer was recognized in 2005 as one of "Time" magazine's "25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America." Her ministry has also undergone a United States Senate inquiry into the tax-exempt status of religious organizations, and it later received accreditation from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

In a notable legal case, Christopher Coleman, the former chief of security for Joyce Meyer Ministries, was convicted of murdering his wife and two sons in 2011. During his trial, Meyer provided testimony. Subsequently, the family of the victims filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Joyce Meyer Ministries, alleging negligence on Meyer's part as a counselor, claiming she should have recognized threats made by Coleman. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed in 2013. On the charitable front, Meyer established the "Dream Center," an inner-city program offering social services and community outreach. Her ministry, through its arm "Hand of Hope," supports numerous international Christian charities, including efforts to build clean-water wells, assist victims of sex trafficking, and provide financial aid for constructing tornado-resistant homes.

“there's no need for us to apologize for being blessed.”

“You can be a businessman here in St. Louis, and people think the more you have, the more wonderful it is ... but if you're a preacher, then all of a sudden it becomes a problem.”