Most followed
pastors & churches.
A U.S.-focused study of 25 pastors, evangelists and Bible teachers, and 23 churches and networks. Compare their largest verified social media audiences, explore official profiles, and learn from their standout 2026 posts.
This study of the most followed pastors and churches compares 25 personal ministry accounts and 23 church accounts. Joel Osteen leads the personal list with 30,540,025 Facebook followers. Elevation Church leads the church list with 3.85 million YouTube subscribers, rounded by the platform. Rankings use each account’s largest verified audience on a single platform.
These are the leading results among 129 researched candidates, measured on November 7, 2026. The lists include official profile links and a 2026 post example for every entry.
Most followed pastors and ministry teachers: 25 profiles
Counts reflect the November 7, 2026 snapshot. Rank compares one platform per account. YouTube reports subscribers; the other platforms report followers.
| Rank | Account | Largest verified audience | Official profiles and content |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joel Osteenpastor / Christian teacher | Facebook30,540,025 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗Read the content case study → |
| 2 | Joyce MeyerBible teacher and former associate pastorResearch noteFormer associate pastor at Life Christian Church; personal teaching ministry accounts included. | Facebook12,251,143 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗Read the content case study → |
| 3 | Franklin GrahamEvangelistResearch noteInclude only under a broad pastors and Christian ministry leaders scope: he is an evangelist rather than a local congregation’s senior pastor. Personal website links Facebook, X and Instagram. The Billy Graham/BGEA YouTube is not assigned to Franklin personally. No independent TikTok or YouTube verified. | Facebook11,549,291 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗Read the content case study → |
| 4 | Nick VujicicEvangelistResearch noteMain Facebook and Instagram personal accounts; larger YouTube ministry channel selected, personal channel @nickvujicic 44.6K excluded. TikTok ministry channel official crosslink confirmed. High-view examples published by NickV Ministries. | Facebook10,613,905 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗Read the content case study → |
| 5 | Victoria Osteenpastor / Christian teacherResearch noteNo independent YouTube counted: Linktree points to shared Joel Osteen channel. Facebook vanity URL failed but official numeric profile verified. | Facebook10,404,757 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗Read the content case study → |
| 6 | Steven Furtickpastor / Christian teacher | Facebook8,420,468 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 7 | Rick Warrenpastor / Christian teacher | Facebook7,869,729 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 8 | T. D. JakesBishop and founding pastorResearch noteFounding pastor. Legacy TDJakesOfficial YouTube is now The Potter’s House of Dallas (2.98M); excluded from personal total; its posts retained as church-published sermons featuring him. | Facebook7,152,724 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 9 | Marcos WittPastor and musicianResearch noteMusic dominates most-viewed posts. Official personal biography and his CanZion ministry biography explicitly identify him as pastor; no claim about a specific current local church appointment is needed. Separately branded music label accounts excluded. X@MarcosWitt. | Facebook6,951,845 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 10 | André ValadãoPastor and musicianResearch noteSinger-pastor; most-viewed uploads are music. TikTok profile is an unconfirmed lead only and excluded from observed total. | Instagram6,439,658 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 11 | Dante GebelPastorResearch notedantegebel.com redirects to River church website, which links Facebook/YouTube. Pastor based in California. | Facebook5,892,312 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 12 | CeCe WinansPastor / musicianResearch noteFounding pastor and gospel artist; her son is current lead pastor of Nashville Life. Most-viewed uploads are music videos. Separately branded church and duo channels excluded. | Facebook5,400,000 followers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 13 | Sadie Robertson HuffBible-study author, Christian speaker and founder of Live OriginalResearch noteIncluded under the expanded Bible-teacher scope. Founder of Live Original; her public accounts also include family and entertainment content. Popular uploads include a personal testimony and wedding video. Ministry identity: https://liveoriginal.com/about/; US base discussed on https://liveoriginal.com/author/srobertson/. | Instagram5,222,507 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 14 | Benny HinnEvangelist and former local-church pastor | Facebook5,151,512 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 15 | Tasha Cobbs LeonardPastor / musicianResearch noteGospel artist and pastor. Most-viewed posts are music videos. Separately branded church accounts not combined. | Facebook3,900,000 followers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 16 | Juan Carlos HarriganPastorResearch noteSpanish-language US pastor. YouTube is largest observed platform. | YouTube3,710,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 17 | Paula WhiteTeaching pastor at StoryLife Church; former senior pastorResearch noteOfficial homepage identifies her teaching-pastor role at StoryLife Church. Personal Facebook realpaulawhite confirmed by official YouTube facebookProfileId and profile backlink; smaller separate PaulaWhiteMinistries67,883-follower page not added. | Facebook3,689,905 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 18 | Bishop Robert BarronCatholic bishop / Bible teacherResearch noteBishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota; founder of Word on Fire. Personally branded channels counted, separate institutional accounts excluded. | YouTube3,660,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 19 | David Jeremiahpastor / Christian teacherResearch noteTurning Point broadcast ministry is included as his personal teaching ministry; separate Shadow Mountain church excluded. | Facebook3,631,465 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 20 | David Diga HernandezSenior pastor of Encounter Church and evangelistResearch noteCurrent senior pastor of Encounter Church; personal ministry accounts included. | Facebook3,614,108 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 21 | Guillermo Maldonadopastor / Christian teacherResearch noteThe larger verified Spanish Facebook account is used. The smaller English Facebook account is not added. The official Spanish YouTube channel is listed; a smaller English channel is excluded. | Facebook3,151,264 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 22 | Stuart KnechtlePastorResearch noteAssistant pastor and co-host of Give Me An Answer. The shared YouTube audience is assigned once to Cliffe Knechtle; Stuart’s post examples identify the shared publisher. | Instagram3,098,030 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 23 | Sarah Jakes Robertspastor / Christian teacherResearch notePersonal channel includes Woman Evolve worship music; highest video is music, second is a sermon. | Instagram3,076,934 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 24 | John Hageepastor / Christian teacherResearch noteThe ranked Facebook audience belongs to the family/ministry-branded Hagee Ministries account. Personal Instagram is listed separately; the ministry’s YouTube account is also family/ministry-branded. | Facebook3,015,942 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 25 | Marvin SappPastor / musicianResearch noteGospel artist and pastor. Music dominates most-viewed posts. Separately branded church accounts not combined. | Facebook3,000,000 followers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
Most followed churches in our U.S. study: 23 profiles
Counts reflect the November 7, 2026 snapshot. Rank compares one platform per account. YouTube reports subscribers; the other platforms report followers.
| Rank | Account | Largest verified audience | Official profiles and content |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevation ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube3,850,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗Read the content case study → |
| 2 | The Potter's HousechurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube2,980,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗Read the content case study → |
| 3 | Jesus ImagechurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. Central Jesus Image ministry/church brand; YouTube channel hosts Jesus Image Church services alongside worship music. No separate pastor account included. | YouTube2,420,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗Read the content case study → |
| 4 | Lakewood ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | Facebook2,135,360 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 5 (tie) | 2819 ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube2,060,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 5 (tie) | ChurchomechurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. Official church homepage currently promotes The Story of God Instagram/YouTube brand; count attached to those linked central channels. | YouTube2,060,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 7 | Transformation ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube2,040,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 8 | Union ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube1,930,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 9 | Lakepointe ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube1,540,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 10 | James River ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube1,170,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 11 | Life.ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube1,130,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 12 | ONE | A Potter's House ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube1,010,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 13 | Crossroads ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | Facebook965,486 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 14 | Hungry GenerationchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube918,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 15 | Lagoinha Orlando ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. Orlando congregation channel previously named Lagoinha USA; original channel title/description explicitly Lagoinha Orlando Church. Separate Brazil/global network and pastor accounts excluded. | YouTube857,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 16 | Bethel ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | Instagram834,278 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 17 | Saddleback ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube617,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 18 | Cornerstone Chapel (Leesburg, Virginia)Church | YouTube607,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 19 | Gateway ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube524,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 20 | Free ChapelchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | YouTube510,000 subscribers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 21 | New Birth Missionary Baptist ChurchchurchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | Facebook474,985 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 22 | Faith Church (David and Nicole Crank)churchResearch noteMain central church profiles only; separate worship bands, app accounts, pastor accounts and local campuses excluded. | Facebook432,728 followers | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
| 23 | El Rey Jesús MiamiChurchResearch noteMiami church. The larger English YouTube channel is listed (287K versus the Spanish channel at 259K). Facebook and Instagram use the official Spanish church profiles. Pastor Guillermo Maldonado accounts remain separate. | Facebook428,000 followers (rounded) | Open a verified 2026 post ↗ |
Meet the featured pastors, churches and ministries.
A personal ministry and a local congregation serve different audiences. Here is the church or ministry context for the three churches and five pastors featured in the content breakdowns.
Elevation Church
Pastors Steven and Holly Furtick
Church leadership
Elevation Church is led by Steven and Holly Furtick. Its central church audience is counted separately from its pastors and separately branded worship accounts.
The Potter's House
Touré Roberts and Sarah Jakes Roberts
Co-senior pastors
The Potter’s House of Dallas identifies Touré Roberts and Sarah Jakes Roberts as co-senior pastors and T.D. Jakes as its founder.
Jesus Image
Michael and Jessica Koulianos
Church and ministry leadership
Jesus Image’s ministry includes Jesus Image Church, Jesus School and worship events. Its official pastoral resources feature Michael and Jessica Koulianos.
Joel Osteen
Lakewood Church
Senior pastor
Joel Osteen serves as senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston. His personal accounts are ranked separately from the church’s accounts.
Joyce Meyer
Joyce Meyer Ministries
Bible teacher
Joyce Meyer teaches through Joyce Meyer Ministries. Her inclusion follows this research’s expanded scope of pastors, evangelists and Bible teachers.
Franklin Graham
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse
Evangelist and ministry leader
Franklin Graham is an evangelist and president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse. This is a ministry association, rather than an assignment to a local church.
Nick Vujicic
NickV Ministries
Evangelist and ministry founder
Nick Vujicic is an evangelist and founder of NickV Ministries. He is included under the expanded ministry-leader scope, rather than represented as a local church’s senior pastor.
Victoria Osteen
Lakewood Church
Co-pastor
Victoria Osteen serves as co-pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston. Her personal accounts are counted separately from Joel Osteen’s and Lakewood’s accounts.
How we ranked the accounts.
Equal rounded public counts are marked as tied at the displayed precision. Their order cannot be distinguished from those public figures.
We researched 129 candidates and selected 23 churches and 25 pastors or ministry teachers. These rankings show the largest verified single-platform audiences found in that research, as of November 7, 2026.
The platforms considered were Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X. Each entry is ranked by its largest verified audience on one platform. We do not add platform counts, which would count overlapping people more than once.
We examined official profiles and source posts directly. Public counts can be rounded and can change after the snapshot. Missing or unconfirmed accounts are not treated as zero followers.
Church accounts and personal pastor accounts are separate entries. Separately branded worship artists, apps and local campuses were excluded from the central church totals. Ministry-branded or shared accounts are identified in entry notes.
The personal list includes evangelists and Bible teachers as well as current or former pastors with U.S. church or ministry connections. This is a selected U.S.-focused research list, not a worldwide census or a measure of local attendance.
When citing this research, include the account name, platform and November 7, 2026 snapshot date, and link to this study so readers can review its scope and original profile sources.
Follower counts are not measures of unique reach, theological endorsement, ministry impact or attendance. Inclusion is editorial research and does not imply an affiliation with, endorsement by, or client relationship with Creative Church Marketing.
The linked 2026 examples are strong verified results found in reviewed material, not certified annual maxima across every platform. Post views are cumulative through the dated snapshot and are not unique viewers.
Read the content behind the numbers. Our viral church social media case studies examine what is visible in eight standout posts and explain practical Entertain, Educate and Encourage lessons.
Questions about the social media rankings.
Who is the most followed pastor in this U.S.-focused study?
Joel Osteen has the largest verified single-platform audience among the pastors and ministry teachers we reviewed: 30,540,025 Facebook followers on November 7, 2026. The personal list also includes evangelists and Bible teachers; it is not a worldwide census.
Which church has the largest social media following in this research?
Elevation Church leads the selected church accounts with 3.85 million YouTube subscribers, rounded by the platform, as of November 7, 2026. Its church account is counted separately from Steven Furtick’s personal accounts and separately branded worship accounts.
Are followers added together across platforms?
No. Each rank uses the largest verified audience on one platform. Adding platforms would count overlapping followers more than once.
Which social media platforms are included?
We considered Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X. YouTube reports subscribers; the other platforms report followers. Each rank uses the largest verified public count found for that account on one of those platforms. Unconfirmed profiles are not assigned zero followers.
Does a large following mean a church has the best content?
A following measures account audience, not ministry quality, unique reach, local attendance or the effect of a particular post. Our separate case studies examine specific creative choices and their limits.
Can a small church use these examples?
Yes. Clear questions, useful teaching, specific encouragement and authentic human moments are adaptable. National recognition, artist audiences and collaborative distribution make their view counts unsuitable as promises for a local church.
Explore church content ideas for pastors, marketing for pastors, and CCM’s creative work. Inclusion in this research does not imply a client relationship or endorsement.
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