Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman visited Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas as part of National Geographic's "The Story of God," and asked the megachurch pastor, "Who is God?"
"I believe God is our Father, the Creator, Somebody that gives us purpose and destiny," answered Osteen, according to The Christian Post. "Sometimes it's hard for people to say, 'How can I believe in something I can't see?' But it's what you choose to believe, through faith."
"When Jesus came He said, 'I want you to come to me.' So I tell people, 'You can talk to God all through the day like you talk to your friend, in your thoughts you can say, God thank you for this day," he continued. "I think God can be as involved in your life as much as you want Him to be. That's what we try to teach people to get God out of your Sunday morning box."
For his part, Freeman said that God means a lot of things to different people, but Osteen made God feel "personal, approachable, helpful."
While observing the thousands of people who attended Osteen's church, Freeman called their worship service a "show." He appeared mesmerised by their celebration of God, and said in closing: "This is clearly a faith in the God in you, your inspiration, your power."
Freeman earlier admitted that he is not a religious person. "I went to churches and synagogues, only it never caught hold. At 13, I stopped," he told Page Six. The actor said his basis for right and wrong was simply "grandma's big slap on my head," which "always pointed out when I'd done wrong."
However, his visit to Osteen's Lakewood Church made him feel an affinity towards God. "In a Houston megachurch I connected somewhat," he said. "Encouraged to think positive. You don't just get some things just like that! You have to go do it to get it. God's plan for us is to succeed."