Joel Osteen, who leads the largest U.S. church congregation, said he has signed an agreement to develop a reality television show.
"What I'm excited about is that it's another way to take our message of hope and inspiring people to another venue," Osteen told a news conference.
The series, which is still in the formative stages, would be based on the church's missions. Some 300 to 500 members of the church would go to help a community in need -- sort of like "Extreme Home Makeover," Osteen said.
Osteen inked the deal with Mark Burnett, the producer of popular TV series such as "Survivor," "The Apprentice," "Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" and "Sarah Palin's Alaska."
Osteen said that Houston-based Lakewood Church, which broadcasts its services weekly to 10 million viewers from a former sports arena, had been approached in the past about a television series.
None of those opportunities seemed a good fit for the ministry, he said. Osteen said that he has known Burnett for about a year.
"I've always admired him and liked his shows," Osteen said at the news conference recorded by KTRK-TV in Houston. "I like his values. I like his style. I believe he knows who we are and what we're all about."
"When I think of reality shows, I think of cameras following you, doing nothing," Osteen said. "We don't want to do just a reality show. We want to do something that inspires people and makes them better. It's not only entertaining and fun, but leaves some kind of message."
