In August, 'The Cell' Becomes One Big Church
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The man who leads the largest church in the country was in Chicago Friday.
America's pastor, Joel Osteen, took in America's past-time at U.S. Cellular Field. He threw out the first pitch at the White Sox game and spread the word about a big day in August.
More than 10,000 people already have bought tickets to Osteen and his wife, Victoria, host a "Night of Hope." The stadium normally holds 41,000 during baseball games.
"You know, life pushes people down, and our message is about lifting people up," Osteen told CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman.
Joann Sasse Givens will be there, saying Osteen has changed her life.
Millions tune in to the televangelist, and with books and podcasts, the Osteen name keeps growing.
To help promote their Chicago appearance this summer, they paid a visit to The Cell on Friday. Call it the Osteen way of saying "save the date" for Aug. 6.
The message until then, Osteen says, "When you trust, when you believe, when you choose not to get negative and bitter, God will do amazing things in your life."
Osteen has this huge following, but he was kind of a reluctant minister. When his dad ran a much smaller version of the church, he was behind the scenes.
He says he studied under his dad, but never went to the seminary. Co-pastor Victoria says he resonates with people because he's a real person.
