Who is Joyce Meyer?

By Atanas Kolev

•7 March 2012

Estimated Read Time: 3 minutes

Bestselling author, speaker and evangelist, Joyce Meyer has been sharing her personal experience and Christian inspiration for more than 20 years.

Drawing authenticity from the abuse of her own father and the heartache of a failed marriage, her personal trials and traumas have become real life proof of God’s everyday power.

Open and fearless approach to healing

In her books and public speaking, Joyce Meyer shares experiences openly and fearlessly in order to reach and heal others. Her own TV programme "Enjoying Everyday Life," is broadcast to millions worldwide.

Now among the most popular Christian personalities worldwide, her influence grows through books and conferences on emotional healing, overcoming the past, freedom from guilt.

Overcoming emotional hurt and pain

Born Pauline Joyce Hutchison, Joyce Meyer draws on her own life in her books and public speaking. Sexually abused by her father when he returned from the military after World War II, she often discusses this in her meetings.

I had lots of hurt and lots of pain, lots of woundedness, bruises, broken heartedness..."

Graduating in St. Louis, her early marriage to a part-time car salesman who, she says, cheated on her frequently, lasted five years. After her divorce, Joyce met Dave Meyer, an engineering draftsman and married him in January 1967.

Finding your worth in God's word

Born again into faith at age 9, Joyce has a vivid memory of driving to work one morning in 1976 and hearing God call her name. She relates an experience of being filled with 'liquid love' and 'drunk with the Spirit of God'.

A member of a St Louis Lutheran Church, Joyce began leading early-morning Bible classes at a local cafe becoming active in The Life Christian Centre and then the church's associate pastor.

And I can guarantee you, just because you don't deal with something, that doesn't make it go away." - Joyce Meyer

Joyce’s Bible teaching raised the church to become a leading charismatic force and she began a daily 15-minute broadcast on a St. Louis radio station. In 1985, Joyce Meyer founded her own "Life in the Word" ministry.

Overcoming feelings of doubt and guilt

Author of "Battlefield of The Mind", "Power Thoughts" and the daily devotional "The Confident Woman Devotional", Joyce Meyer’s writing centres on a re-appreciation of who you in God’s sight and the renewal of a way of thinking according to God's Word.

"Worry, doubt, confusion, depression, anger and feelings of condemnation," she argues, "are attacks on the mind." Joyce Meyer helps people change their lives by changing the way they think and finding their true place in God’s love.

Do Yourself a Favour – Forgive

In her book, "Do Yourself a Favour – Forgive", Joyce provides a guide to navigating the thorny territory between bitterness and anger and finding true peace.

Explaining how forgiving is the only thing that can free you from anger and bitterness, Joyce helps you understand that although life will never be fair, in forgiveness you can defeat the most life destructive force of all.