April Osteen Simons, born in 1967, is a Hope Coach, author, and speaker. She’s the youngest daughter of Lakewood Church founders John and Dodie Osteen and sister to televangelist Joel Osteen. Married to Pastor Gary Simons with five children, she hosts “The Better Life” podcast and has written several inspirational books.
April Osteen Simons has built a meaningful career as a Hope Coach, author, and speaker while maintaining her identity separate from her famous brother, Joel Osteen. Born into Houston’s most influential ministry family, she has created her own path in Christian leadership, focusing on women’s empowerment and personal transformation.
April Osteen Simons grew up in a loving home with well-known parents, Pastor John & Dodie Osteen. She is the youngest of five siblings. Her journey from pastor’s daughter to established ministry leader demonstrates how faith-based upbringing can shape a distinct calling.
Early Life and Family Foundation
April Osteen Simons is Joel Osteen’s youngest sibling, born in 1967. Growing up in Houston, Texas, she experienced firsthand the challenges and blessings of ministry life. Her parents, John and Dodie Osteen, founded Lakewood Church in 1959, creating an environment where faith, service, and community outreach were daily priorities.
The Osteen family faced significant trials that shaped April’s perspective on hope and healing. When April’s sister, Lisa, was little, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and brain damage. They continued to pray and fight for their daughter. Little by little, Lisa began improving. These experiences of witnessing healing and restoration became foundational to April’s later ministry focus.
Her childhood was marked by observing her father’s passionate preaching and her mother’s unwavering faith during health challenges. John Osteen’s commitment to global missions and healing ministries influenced April’s understanding of practical faith application. Though she didn’t inherit the main pulpit at Lakewood Church, she absorbed the family’s core values of encouragement, hope, and spiritual transformation.
Marriage and Family Life with Gary Simons
April has been married to praise leader Pastor Gary Simons since 1990. They have five children: Ariella, Christiana, Elliana, Savannah, and Garrison. Gary Simons serves as a pastor and worship leader, making their union a partnership in both marriage and ministry.
Their family structure reflects strong Christian values and active church involvement. Each child, unique in their own right, contributes to the vibrant family dynamic, with some participating in public aspects of church life, mirroring the deep spiritual legacy of their grandparents, John and Dodie Osteen.
The couple has successfully balanced raising five children while maintaining active ministry careers. April often draws from her parenting experiences in her speaking engagements, offering practical advice on faith-based parenting and marriage. Their 30-plus-year marriage serves as a testimony to the Christian values they promote publicly.
Family Overview:
| Family Member | Role | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Simons | Husband | Pastor and worship leader since 1990 |
| Ariella | Daughter | Active in family ministry activities |
| Christiana | Daughter | Married with child (Dean Levi) |
| Elliana | Daughter | Participates in church activities |
| Savannah | Daughter | Involved in family ministry |
| Garrison | Son | Married with daughter (Franchesca) |
Career as Hope Coach and Author
April works as a “Hope Coach,” bringing inspiration and positivity into people’s lives. This unique title reflects her specialized approach to ministry, focusing on emotional healing, personal empowerment, and spiritual growth rather than traditional pastoral roles.
Her career combines elements of life coaching, motivational speaking, and biblical counseling. She addresses topics like overcoming anxiety, dealing with disappointment, and finding purpose during difficult seasons. Her approach emphasizes practical faith application rather than theoretical theology.
April’s coaching philosophy centers on helping individuals discover their God-given potential while navigating life’s challenges. She works particularly with women who feel stuck, undervalued, or uncertain about their direction. Her sessions blend personal storytelling, humor, and biblical insight to create transformative experiences.
The “Hope Coach” designation sets her apart in the crowded field of Christian speakers and authors. While many focus on prosperity or success principles, April concentrates on emotional and spiritual healing, making her message accessible to people facing various life circumstances.
Books and Published Works
As an author, April wrote Better Than Ever, a book designed to inspire people to live their best lives. This publication represents her core message of transformation and hope, targeting readers seeking positive life changes through faith-based principles.
April is the author of a book called Better Than Ever. The book focuses on personal development, spiritual growth, and overcoming life’s obstacles through faith and positive thinking. Her writing style combines personal anecdotes with biblical teachings, making complex spiritual concepts accessible to general audiences.
Additional publications mentioned in various sources include inspirational devotionals and shorter works that complement her speaking ministry. Her books typically address themes of:
- Personal transformation and growth
- Overcoming emotional trauma
- Building spiritual resilience
- Finding purpose in difficult seasons
- Women’s empowerment through faith
Her literary work extends her ministry reach beyond speaking engagements, allowing her to impact readers globally. The books serve as practical guides for implementing the principles she teaches in her coaching and speaking roles.
Podcast and Media Presence
She is the author of a podcast called The Better Life, on which she publishes content weekly. This podcast serves as her primary digital platform for reaching audiences beyond traditional speaking venues.
She also has a series together with her mother called House of Hope. This collaboration with Dodie Osteen creates intergenerational content that appeals to both younger and older audiences seeking spiritual guidance.
Her digital ministry strategy includes:
- Weekly podcast episodes addressing current life challenges
- Collaborative content with family members
- Social media engagement across multiple platforms
- YouTube channel with motivational content
- Online devotionals and inspirational videos
61K Followers, 204 Following, 1,645 Posts – April Osteen Simons | Author • Speaker • YouTube Creator (@aprilosimons) on Instagram demonstrates her significant social media presence and engagement with followers.
Her media approach focuses on accessibility and practical application rather than formal theological discourse. This strategy has helped her build a substantial following among people seeking hope and encouragement in everyday situations.
Ministry Focus and Speaking Career
April Osteen Simons has established herself as a sought-after speaker for women’s conferences, leadership summits, and faith-based retreats. Her speaking ministry emphasizes emotional healing, personal empowerment, and spiritual transformation through practical faith application.
Her unique speaking style blends personal storytelling with biblical insight, making her both relatable and spiritually enriching to diverse audiences. She openly shares about personal struggles and victories, encouraging others to trust in God’s plan even during uncertain times.
Her conferences often result in participants reporting experiences of healing, inner peace, and clarity about their life direction. This practical impact distinguishes her ministry from purely inspirational speaking, creating lasting change in attendees’ lives.
April’s ministry philosophy emphasizes meeting people where they are and helping them rise higher through faith-based principles. She addresses real-life challenges like disappointment, grief, and uncertainty, providing tools for overcoming through practical faith application.
Relationship with Brother Joel Osteen
Yes, April Osteen Simons is the sister of Joel Osteen, a well-known American pastor and author. While Joel leads Lakewood Church as senior pastor, April has carved out her own distinct ministry path outside the mega-church structure.
Their relationship reflects mutual respect and shared family values while maintaining separate ministry identities. Both siblings champion messages of hope, faith, and restoration, but April focuses more on intimate settings and personal transformation rather than large-scale evangelism.
Joel’s global influence as a televangelist and bestselling author has brought attention to the entire Osteen family, but April has used this platform responsibly to promote her own distinct message and ministry approach. She often speaks positively about her brother’s impact while maintaining her independent identity.
The siblings share core values instilled by their parents: love, hope, faith, and restoration. However, April’s approach emphasizes personal coaching and women’s empowerment, while Joel focuses on broad inspirational messages for mass audiences.
Their different ministry styles complement each other within the larger Osteen family legacy, demonstrating how siblings can honor family traditions while pursuing distinct callings and approaches to faith-based service.
Net Worth and Financial Success
April’s net worth is estimated to be $500,000. This financial position reflects her success as an author, speaker, and coach, though it represents modest wealth compared to other celebrity ministry figures.
Her income sources include:
- Book sales and royalties
- Speaking engagement fees
- Coaching and consulting services
- Podcast sponsorships and partnerships
- Digital content creation
Unlike some prosperity-focused ministers, April’s financial approach appears conservative and family-centered. She maintains a lifestyle consistent with her values while using her platform for service rather than wealth accumulation.
Her financial success demonstrates the viability of faith-based coaching and speaking as career paths, particularly for those with established platforms and clear messaging. The $500,000 estimate suggests sustainable income from diverse ministry-related activities.
Current Projects and Future Plans
April continues expanding her influence through digital platforms and publishing projects. Her current focus includes growing her podcast audience, developing online courses, and creating mentorship programs for women in ministry.
Recent developments include:
- Enhanced social media engagement strategies
- Collaboration opportunities with other Christian authors
- Expanded speaking schedule for 2025
- Potential book launches addressing current social issues
- Digital course development for personal transformation
Her future aspirations involve global outreach through digital media, allowing her to minister across cultural and generational boundaries. She remains committed to practical faith application and personal transformation messaging.
April’s ministry evolution reflects trends toward digital-first approaches in Christian leadership, while maintaining the personal touch that characterizes her coaching style. Her plans suggest continued growth in influence and impact within the Christian community.
FAQs
Who is April Osteen Simons?
April Osteen Simons is a Hope Coach, author, and speaker. She’s the youngest daughter of Lakewood Church founders and sister to Joel Osteen.
Is April Osteen Simons married?
Yes, she married Pastor Gary Simons in 1990. They have five children together and share ministry responsibilities.
What books has April Osteen Simons written?
Her most notable publication is “Better Than Ever,” focusing on personal transformation and living your best life through faith.
Does April Osteen Simons work at Lakewood Church?
No, she operates independently from Lakewood Church while maintaining close family relationships with the ministry leadership.
What is April Osteen Simons’ podcast about?
“The Better Life” podcast features weekly episodes addressing life challenges, personal growth, and faith-based solutions for everyday problems.