Osteen is senior pastor at Lakewood Church in Houston, where services each week draw some 45,000 adults; millions more watch his ministry on TV. Osteen’s new book, You Can, You Will: 8 Undeniable Qualities of a Winner (Hachette/FaithWords), will be released in September. He spoke with PW about his message and his life.

What is the biggest thing you learned about yourself as you wrote You Can, You Will?

As with writing any of my books, I continue to grow, mature, and be a better person. And I hopefully learn new ways to communicate with people about faith and life. This book is about leadership and living a victorious life, and when you live a victorious life you have good relationships, a good career, good health, and a good attitude and self-image.

Which of the eight principles in You Can, You Will do you connect with most?

One of my favorite chapters is “Keep Growing.” We’re supposed to be growing and moving forward; we’re supposed to be lifetime learners. We shouldn’t be in the same place next year that we are now. When I stepped in [as the pastor of Lakewood] when my dad died in 1999 after 40 years in ministry, I didn’t know how to do this on my own. But when I look back at messages from five or 10 years go, I’m much better now. I’m always growing.

Which one of your books is nearest to your heart?

All the books are different, but the first book Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential (Warner Faith, 2004) is pretty special. I was so new! The publisher expected to sell a couple hundred thousand copies, but the book is still in print and selling millions. I also get a lot of feedback from I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak over Your Life (FaithWords, 2012). I Declare gives people practical, simple things they could do in 60 seconds.

What do you like best about being a pastor and writer?

I love being able to help people, to inspire them, to guide them to a better self-image. There is no feeling like hearing someone say, “You helped me.” I am a big believer in broadcast ministry, so I wrote the books as a side note. But then I realized that books can go so many difference places; the power of the written word amazes me.

What is your next big project?

One thing we’re excited about is that the day before You Can, You Will releases, we are debuting Joel Osteen Radio on Sirius XM channel 128. My wife Victoria and I will do a weekly hour-long call-in show; our weekend services and special events will be carried live; and our messages will run the rest of the time. We were approached about this maybe five years ago, but it didn’t seem right. Now it does.