» Osteen brings positive ministry to FedExForum

It looks like Memphis went well ...

Osteen, 44, who considers Rev. Billy Graham a "hero and a mentor," has succeeded the ailing Graham as perhaps the most popular spiritual conscience in the country. A best-selling author, he routinely attracts a TV audience of 7 million people each week to his Joel Osteen Ministries.

And each Sunday, Eva Skelton is among the flock. When she developed arthritis in her knees, Skelton, a retired factory worker of Holly Springs, Miss., had to miss several of her regular Sunday church services. "So I started watching Joel on TV, and I just love him to death," she said.

For her birthday, Skelton's family bought tickets to Osteen's Memphis sermon. What they didn't tell her ahead of time was that the family also contacted Diane Hight and her Forever Young Senior Wish Organization to see if Hight could arrange for Osteen to meet Skelton during his Memphis visit.

Osteen agreed.