Craig Groeschel is a respected American pastor, global leadership teacher, best-selling author, and founder of Life.Church, one of the largest and most innovative churches in the world. He is widely known for his practical Bible teaching, leadership insights, and groundbreaking contributions to digital ministry. Through his sermons, books, podcasts, and online platforms, Craig Groeschel has influenced millions of Christians and leaders across the globe.
Quick Facts about Craig Groeschel
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Craig Groeschel |
| Date of Birth | December 2, 1967 |
| Age | 57 years old (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Pastor, Author, Leadership Teacher |
| Known For | Founder and Senior Pastor of Life.Church |
| Wife | Amy Groeschel |
| Children | Catie, Mandy, Anna, Sam, Stephen, Joy |
| Church | Life.Church (Multiple Campuses + Online) |
| Residence | Edmond, Oklahoma, USA |
Early Life and Education
Craig Groeschel was born in Houston, Texas, and grew up in a traditional American Christian home. His upbringing helped shape his foundational faith, although he often shares that he did not fully understand the depth of Christian commitment until later in life.
He attended Oklahoma City University on a tennis scholarship, where he studied marketing. After his conversion experience and a growing passion for ministry, Craig enrolled at Phillips Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree.
His background in marketing later influenced his innovative approach to ministry, church growth, and digital evangelism.
Family Life
Craig Groeschel is married to Amy Groeschel, a ministry leader, author, and founder of the women’s ministry called Branch15. They married in 1991 and have built a strong family centered on faith, service, and discipleship.
The couple is blessed with six children:
- Catie Groeschel
- Mandy Groeschel
- Anna Groeschel
- Sam Groeschel
- Stephen Groeschel
- Joy Groeschel
They are also grandparents, and Craig often references family moments in his sermons and books, showing how important family is to his life and ministry.
Pastoral and Ministry Career
Founding of Life.Church
Craig Groeschel founded Life.Church in 1996 in a two-car garage in Edmond, Oklahoma. The church began with a handful of people who shared a passion for reaching those far from God through innovative and creative ministry strategies.
Today, Life.Church has grown to over 40 campuses across multiple states in the United States, reaching hundreds of thousands of people weekly.
Digital Ministry Pioneer
Craig is recognized as one of the first pastors to embrace digital technology for evangelism and discipleship. Under his leadership, Life.Church created:
- The YouVersion Bible App, used by more than 600 million people worldwide.
- Life.Church Online, one of the earliest and largest online worship platforms.
- Free ministry resources through Open Network, used by pastors globally.
His vision has helped churches across the world adopt modern communication tools to spread the gospel effectively.
Teaching Style and Influence
Craig is known for teaching with clarity, practical wisdom, and relatable stories. His messages often focus on:
- Leadership
- Personal development
- Faith and spiritual growth
- Emotional and mental strength
- Relationships
- Overcoming fear and insecurity
His sermons reach a global audience every week.
Books and Written Works
Craig Groeschel is a prolific author with several best-selling books that address faith, leadership, habits, and personal transformation. Some of his most popular works include:
- Winning the War in Your Mind
- Lead Like It Matters
- The Christian Atheist
- Dangerous Prayers
- Hope in the Dark
- Soul Detox
- Daily Power
- Fight
- It
Many of his books are used in discipleship groups, leadership circles, and personal development programs worldwide.
The Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast
Craig hosts the widely followed Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast, where he teaches principles that help leaders grow in organization, ministry, and personal discipline. The podcast is one of the top Christian leadership podcasts in the world, with millions of listeners.
Net Worth
Craig Groeschel’s estimated net worth is reported to be between $10 million and $15 million. His income comes from book sales, speaking engagements, leadership training, and pastoral responsibilities. Despite his success, Craig is known for living modestly and for being deeply committed to generosity and transparency.
Awards and Achievements
Craig Groeschel’s contributions to modern ministry have earned him global recognition. Some of his notable achievements include:
- Founder of the most downloaded Bible app worldwide (YouVersion).
- Leader of one of the largest multisite churches in the United States.
- Multiple-time best-selling author.
- International speaker at leadership conferences, including the Global Leadership Summit.
- Pioneer of digital ministry and online worship experiences.
- Recipient of various Christian leadership awards and recognitions.
FAQs
In this section, I will provide you with some FAQs and answers about Craig Groeschel. Keep on reading, friend!
1. Who is Craig Groeschel?
Craig Groeschel is an American pastor, author, leadership coach, and founder of Life.Church.
2. How old is Craig Groeschel?
He is 57 years old as of 2025.
3. Who is Craig Groeschel married to?
He is married to Amy Groeschel, co-founder of Branch15 Ministries.
4. What is Craig Groeschel known for?
He is widely known for founding Life.Church and for helping create the YouVersion Bible App.
5. How many children does Craig Groeschel have?
He has six children.
6. What books has Craig Groeschel written?
He has authored many books including Winning the War in Your Mind, Dangerous Prayers, and Lead Like It Matters.
7. What is Craig Groeschel’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is between $10 million and $15 million.
8. What church does Craig Groeschel pastor?
He pastors Life.Church, headquartered in Edmond, Oklahoma.
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