Thousands Pack BOK Center To Hear Former ORU Student Preach

Tens of thousands of people filled the BOK center to hear one-time Oral Roberts University student Joel Osteen preach Friday.

Since leaving Tulsa, Osteen has helped his father's ministry grow into a national phenomenon.

Osteen spoke to News On 6 about his short time at ORU, being named one of the most influential pastors in America and the amazing path his life has taken.

“It's part of my story. I let people know that God's dream for our life is bigger than ours. I thought I'd do this my whole life, be behind the scenes, there's nothing wrong with that, but then my father died I took over. We never dreamed it would grow, never dreamed I'd come back to Tulsa to hold an event like this,” Osteen said.

One question may people wanted to know is why Osteen sells tickets to his events.

He said it started during the 2004 tour; when they went to Atlanta 40,000 people showed up but only half could get in.

The next stop was New York and he said they were told they had to sell tickets to avoid having so many extra people show up.

You can watch the full clip with Terry Hood and Joel Osteen in the attached video.