We’ve all heard of Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church<\/a> which I hear averages over 40,000 people on a weekend. I think this is the largest church in the United States. His sermons are on television and his book, Your Best Life Now<\/a><\/em> has sold 3 million copies.<\/p>\n
But Joel does not have the largest church in the world. Most give this “honor” to David Cho and his Yoido Full Gospel Church <\/a>in Seoul Korea with about 830,000 members.<\/p>\n
Of course, when it comes to buildings, nobody can top the most expensive church, The Basilica of our Lady of Peace<\/a> in C\u00f4te d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). It cost $300 million to build. It also is recognized as being the largest by floor area (30,000 sq. meters!). I hear that it has it’s own airport. Top that one Joel!<\/p>\n
True, but Uncle L is the “lead pastor” of a church of 3 million people. Yes, 3,000,000. (See Alan Hirsch, The Forgotten Ways<\/a><\/em>, 150).<\/p>\n