Just call her Joyce. That’s the way Joyce Meyer, one of the
world’s leading practical Bible teachers, likes it.
God launched Joyce Meyer into ministry over 30 years ago at
a time when female Bible teachers were not en vogue. Over
the past three decades, God has used Joyce Meyer Ministries
to help millions of people find hope and restoration through
Jesus Christ. Joyce Meyer has a message that crosses
denominational lines with truths that are easy to
understand, though perhaps challenging to apply. She uses
her own life as an example to inspire others to overcome.
Suffering sexual abuse as a child and enduring a failed
first marriage, Joyce discovered the freedom to live
victoriously by applying God’s Word to her life and in turn
desires to help others do the same. From her battle with
breast cancer to the struggles of everyday life, she speaks
openly and practically about her experiences so others can
apply what she has learned to their lives. Joyce Meyer
believes and teaches that regardless of a person’s
background or past mistakes, God has a place for them and
can help them.
Over the years, God has provided Joyce with many
opportunities to share her testimony and the life-changing
message of the Gospel. Recently, Time magazine selected her
as one of the most influential evangelical leaders in
America. She has also found airtime on “Larry King Live” and
“Good Morning America,” serving as an uncompromising
ambassador for Jesus Christ and as a model of true Christian
character to a watching world.
Joyce Meyer is also a
New York Times bestselling author.
Joyce Meyer teaches on hundreds of subjects, has authored
over 70 books and conducts conferences around the world. To
date, more than 3 million of her books have been donated
around the world, and in 2005 nearly 3.5 million copies were
sold. She also has a television and radio program, “Enjoying
Everyday Life”, that is broadcast to over two-thirds of the
world. Joyce Meyer Ministries sows tens of millions of
dollars into international missions each year – and her
heart is to do even more.
A humble woman of God, Joyce Meyer gives all the glory to
God and credits her husband of 40 years, Dave, as one of the
people she most admires. The Voice magazine caught up with
Joyce Meyer to discuss how she applies the practical truths
she teaches to her own life, as well as what she sees as the
challenges facing the Body of Christ today.
THE VOICE: Your teaching is practical and your
life is transparent on so many levels. Why do you feel this
approach to sharing the Gospel has been so effective over
your 20 years of ministry?
JOYCE MEYER: The Bible has the answers to our
everyday life. Many times people don’t realize how practical
it is. Just like me, there are many people who have suffered
abuse or have had feelings of hopelessness. My teachings are
my life. My heart is to help hurting people. I teach people
God’s Word so they can overcome their problems and avoid
some of the tough lessons I had to learn. I can honestly
tell you that without God I would not be who I am today. He
has done such an amazing work in my life and I want everyone
to have the same freedom.
THE VOICE: You have an uncompromising word of
truth. What has such boldness cost you on a personal level?
And how have you endured the price? What kept you from
giving up?
JOYCE MEYER: When God called me and I first stepped
out into ministry over 30 years ago, there were not many
women teachers. Women preachers were not totally accepted
and it was very difficult for me. I got kicked out of my
church and lost all of my friends, but I realized that I had
to obey God and not man. Through my obedience to God, He has
been able to use my life to help others. It’s been a great
journey and I’m looking forward to all the things God has in
the future.
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THE VOICE: You’ve found a platform in secular
media, appearing on “Larry King Live” and “Good Morning
America”. Others, like Creflo Dollar, have also found
opportunity. Do you feel God is beginning to open up doors
in mainstream media for strong Christian voices?
JOYCE MEYER: I am amazed that people want to ask me
questions about God’s work in my life. The interviews are a
great way to share God’s life-changing message and I pray
that God continues to open this door for Christians.
THE VOICE: If you could only preach one
message to the world, what would it be?
JOYCE MEYER: After years of abuse, it was difficult
for me to understand God’s love. It took me years to truly
understand it. I had to study it, recite it and tell myself
God loved me even when I didn’t feel worthy of His love.
Then, one day, the idea that God loved me dropped from my
head into my heart. Everybody wants to be loved. God already
loves you; all you have to do is believe and accept it.
THE VOICE: You seem to be accomplishing the
work of 10 women. You seem to get more productive as the
years go by. How do you balance work and life? How do you
keep from burning out?
JOYCE MEYER: The biggest thing I have to keep in mind
is balance. I have certain times and days that I dedicate to
certain responsibilities. It is very important to not become
unbalanced in an area, spending too much time in one area
and not another. There were a few times in my life when I
worked so hard I literally made myself sick, so it’s very
important to me to balance my work time and personal time.
THE VOICE: Your ministry has influenced the
lives of millions of people. What ministries have impacted
your life the most and why?
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JOYCE MEYER: More than a ministry, one person that
has impacted my life greatly. My husband, Dave, is someone
who I admire greatly. When we first got married, I was very
difficult to get along with because of my past. Dave was
always steadfast, patient, and an amazing example of God’s
love and acceptance. Like everyone else, we have had to work
through our marriage, but I am so grateful that we have not
given up. We’ve been married for almost 40 years!
THE VOICE: What do you see as the biggest
challenges facing the Body of Christ today and how can we
overcome them?
JOYCE MEYER: Religion is a very dangerous thing. By
that I mean being so caught up in rules and regulations and
not focusing on the thing that matters most- a personal
relationship with God. People today are not looking for more
things to do, they want truth. They want Jesus and we know
that He is the only thing that can set people free (John
8:32).
THE VOICE: You’ve done so much over the years
– and around the world – what else would you like to conquer
for Christ? What’s next for Joyce Meyer?
JOYCE MEYER: Joyce Meyer Ministries is very concerned
with helping people any way that we can. We have helped
tsunami victims in India, hurricane victims on the Gulf
Coast, we feed and educate orphans across Asia and provide
free medical care to a remote part of India and getting
ready to open up another hospital in Cambodia that will
provide free medical care.
Our Enjoying Everyday Life television and radio programs are
broadcast to a potential audience of over 3 billion people
and over 11 million of our teachings have been distributed
worldwide. My own personal goal is that someday we would be
able to feed 1 million children every day. I pray that God
will allow us to continue and expand these and other efforts
to help hurting people.
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THE VOICE: You’ve experienced several moves of
God. What do you believe is next for the Church of Jesus
Christ? Where are we headed?
JOYCE MEYER: One thing that many people are realizing
is that media has become a very effective tool to
communicate the Gospel. Our television program airs to a
potential audience of over 3 billion people, in many places
where the people living there may have never even heard of
Jesus. It’s amazing because even some of the poorest people
have a television set. It is such a privilege to be a part
of spreading the Gospel to the world.
THE VOICE: What about the next generation.
I’ve heard you say that none of your kids have emerged as
preachers… are you raising up others to carry on this
practical message for spiritual growth?
JOYCE MEYER: Right now I am focused on today. While
my children do not have the same gifts as I do, they are
talented in many other ways. It is so amazing to see the
work God has done in all of our children.
One of our sons is in charge of our U.S. operations and the
other handles all of our worldwide efforts (our two
daughters are spending their time raising their children).
All of our children are hard workers and it’s so great that
God has given us the opportunity to work together and help
change lives around the world.
THE VOICE: If Jesus tarries, what would you
like the world to most remember you for?
JOYCE MEYER: My hope is that God will have changed
people’s lives through me for the better. I never get tired
of hearing the great testimonies of people whom God has
touched. I pray that the changes God has done in me will
then be done in others.
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