American Charismatic Christian author, lecturer, and head of Joyce Meyer Ministries is Pauline Joyce Meyer (née Hutchison; born June 4, 1943). Joyce lives outside of St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband, Dave, and their four grown children. The headquarters of her ministry are located close to the Fenton, Missouri, suburb of St. Louis.
Early Life
On June 4, 1943, Meyer was born Pauline Joyce Hutchison in South St. Louis. Shortly after her birth, her father enlisted in the army and fought in World War II. She talks about this occurrence in her sessions and has stated in interviews that he started se*ually abusing her once he returned.
Shortly after graduating from O’Fallon Technical High School in St. Louis, she married a part-time auto salesman. Five years passed during the marriage. According to her, her spouse encouraged her to take payroll checks from her employer and cheated on her on a regular basis.
They took a trip to California with the money. Years later, she says, she gave the money back. Prior to meeting engineering draftsman Dave Meyer, Meyer was a regular at local pubs following her divorce. The date of their marriage was January 7, 1967.
Ministry
Meyer’s life took a drastic change in her late twenties when she got a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. This conversion inspired her to commit her life to serving God and sharing her testimony with others. She established Joyce Meyer Ministries, a nonprofit dedicated to sharing the gospel and offering helpful advice for day-to-day living, in 1985.
Over the years, Meyer’s ministry has expanded rapidly, reaching a worldwide audience through her television shows, conferences, and books. Her lessons place a strong emphasis on concepts like personal development, forgiveness, and healing. She is renowned for her ability to relate to people from all walks of life and her pragmatic approach to spirituality.
Published Books
Some of her published books are:
- Beauty for Ashes: Receiving Emotional Healing. 1994.
- Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind. 1995.
- Me and My Big Mouth: Your Answer is Right Under Your Nose. 2002.
- How to Hear from God: Learn to Know His Voice and Make Right Decisions. 2003.
- The Secret Power of Speaking God’s Word. 2004.
- In Pursuit of Peace: 21 Ways to Conquer Anxiety, Fear, and Discontentment. 2004.
- Straight Talk: Overcoming Emotional Battles with the Power of God’s Word. 2005.
- Approval Addiction: Overcoming Your Need to Please Everyone. 2005.
- Meyer, Joyce (2006). Look Great, Feel Great: 12 Keys to Enjoying a Healthy Life Now. Warner Faith.
- The Everyday Life Bible: The Power of God’s Word for Everyday Living. 2006.
- The Confident Woman: Start Today Living Boldly and Without Fear. 2007.
- The Penny: A Novel. 2007. (by Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford)
- Woman to Woman: Candid Conversations from Me to You. 2007.
- I Dare You: Embrace Life With Passion. 2007.
- The Power of Simple Prayer: How to Talk with God about Everything. 2007.
- Top 10 Qualities of a Great Leader. 2007. (by Joyce Meyer and Phil Pringle)
- Conflict Free Living: How to Build Healthy Relationships for Life. 2008.
- Start Your New Life Today: An Exciting New Beginning with God. 2008.
- The Secret To True Happiness: Enjoy Today, Embrace Tomorrow. 2008.
- Never Give Up!: Relentless Determination to Overcome Life’s Challenges. 2009.
- Eat the Cookie … Buy the Shoes: Giving Yourself Permission to Lighten Up. 2010.
- Power Thoughts: 12 Strategies to Win the Battle. 2010.
- Living Beyond Your Feelings: Controlling Emotions So They Don’t Control You. 2011.
- Love Out Loud: Devotions on Loving God, Yourself, and Others. 2011.
- Do Yourself a Favor … Forgive: Learn How to Take Control of Your Life Through Forgiveness. 2012.
- Change Your Words, Change Your Life: Understanding the Power of Every Word You Speak. 2012.
Marital Status
She got married to David Meyer in the year 1967.
Criticism
Meyer has drawn criticism for her beliefs and way of life despite her immense popularity. Her theological beliefs have been questioned by some detractors, who have also charged her with spreading the prosperity gospel. Concerns have also been expressed regarding the usage of her personal assets and the financial practices of her ministry.
She has been criticized for her extravagant lifestyle, which includes her private jet and opulent properties, but she insists that her blessings are a reflection of God’s faithfulness and that her ministry is transparent. Her salary and the financial practices of her organization are among the most contentious aspects of Meyer’s ministry.
