Once again, I am grateful for a wonderful team of professionals who helped me put this book together for you. Leading them is my editor, Rolf Zettersten, at FaithWords/Hachette and Hachette Chairman and CEO Michael Pietsch, along with Harry Helm and Andrea Glickson.
I am grateful also to my literary agents, Jan Miller and Shannon Marven, at Dupree Miller & Associates, and especially Wes Smith, the wordsmith who helps keep my message clear.
In this book I offer many stories shared with me by friends, members of our congregation, and people I’ve met around the world. I appreciate and acknowledge their contributions and support. Some of those mentioned in the book are people I have not met personally, and, in a few cases, we’ve changed the names to protect the privacy of individuals. I give honor to all of those to whom honor is due. As the son of a church leader and a pastor myself, I’ve listened to countless sermons and presentations, so in some cases I can’t remember the exact source of a story. Thanks to all who have touched my life with their own. My intention in writing this book is to pass on the blessings, and to God be the glory.
I offer special thanks also to all the pastors across the country who are members of our Champions Network, especially that group’s chairman, Pastor Phil Munsey, and his wife, Jeannie.
I am indebted to the amazing staff of Lakewood Church, the wonderful members of Lakewood who share their stories with me, and those around the world who generously support our ministry and make it possible to bring hope to a world in need. I am grateful to all of those around the globe who follow our services on television, the Internet, and through the podcasts. You are all part of our Lakewood family.
And last but not least, thanks to my wife, Victoria, and our children, Jonathan and Alexandra, who are my sources of daily inspiration; and our closest family members who serve as day-to-day leaders of our ministry, including my brother, Paul, and his wife, Jennifer; my sister, Lisa, and her husband, Kevin; and my brother-in-law, Don, and his wife, Jackelyn. We are thankful to have my mother, Dodie Osteen, as our inspiration and a constant source of wisdom.