{{Short description|American pastor and musician}} {{Use American English|date=April 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox Christian leader | name = Steven Furtick | image = Steven Furtick in 2023.jpg | caption = Pastor Steven Furtick in 2023 | birth_name = Larry Stevens Furtick | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|02|19|mf=y}} | birth_place = {{Nowrap|[[Moncks Corner, South Carolina]], U.S.}} | alma_mater = [[North Greenville University]]<br />[[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]] | occupation = preacher, singer, [[pastor]], author, songwriter | ordination = 2006 | religion = | church = [[Elevation Church]] | spouse = {{Marriage|Holly Furtick|2002}} | children = 3 | module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed = yes|| current_member_of = [[Elevation Worship]]<br>[[Sons of Sunday]]}} {{Infobox person | embed = yes | years_active = 2004–present | website = {{URL|http://www.stevenfurtick.com/}} }} }}
'''Larry Stevens Furtick Jr.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Funk |first1=Tim |title=Want to know more about Elevation's pastor? Here are 10 Furtick facts |url=https://www.wbtv.com/story/34733950/want-to-know-more-about-elevations-pastor-here-are-10-furtick-facts/ |access-date=July 21, 2021 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=WBTV |date=March 12, 2017}}</ref>''' (born February 19, 1980), known professionally as '''Steven Furtick''', is an American pastor, author,<ref name="book" /> singer, and composer of [[Elevation Worship]]. He is the founder and general overseer of [[Elevation Church]], based in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]].
==Early life and education== Furtick was born and raised in [[Moncks Corner, South Carolina]], and attended [[Berkeley High School (Moncks Corner, South Carolina)|Berkeley High School]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dennis |first1=Rickey Ciapha |title=Same town, different views |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/berkeley-independent/news/same-town-different-views/article_4b9f7334-9933-5944-b04f-0682d93189ff.html |work=Post and Courier |date=12 August 2020}}</ref> At the age of 16, after reading the book ''Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire'' by [[Jim Cymbala]], he felt called to pastor a church in a major city.<ref name="Funk">{{cite news |last1=Funk |first1=Tim |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/408/story/191882.html |title=A cool pastor, and a hot church |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919210916/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2008/09/14/191882/a-cool-pastor-and-a-hot-church.html |archive-date=19 September 2012 |newspaper=Charlotte Observer |date=14 September 2008}}</ref> He studied at [[North Greenville University]] in communication and earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]]; he then studied at [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]] and earned a [[Master of Divinity]].<ref name="Pastor">{{cite web |title=Leadership: Pastor Steven and Holly Furtick |url=https://www.elevationchurch.org/about#leadership|publisher=Elevation Church}}</ref>
==Ministry== In 2004, Furtick served as [[Cantor (Christianity)|worship leader]] at Christ Covenant Church in [[Shelby, North Carolina]], a [[Baptist]] Church.<ref name="Funk" /> In 2006, he moved to [[Charlotte, North Carolina]] and founded [[Elevation Church]] with seven families and his own.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schapiro |first1=Jeff |title=An Inside Look at a New Generation of Pastors: Steven Furtick (Pt. 6) |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/an-inside-look-at-a-new-generation-of-pastors-steven-furtick-pt-6-103529/ |work=The Christian Post |date=3 September 2013}}</ref> The church had their first service on February 5, 2006.
In 2007, he helped found the music group [[Elevation Worship]] as a songwriter and since has been nominated for GMA Dove and Grammy Awards,<ref>{{cite news |first1=Tim |last1=Funk |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/religion/article166692427.html |title=Elevation Church's music team – including Pastor Furtick – nominated for top Dove Awards |newspaper=Charlotte Observer |date=11 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815084102/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/religion/article166692427.html |archive-date=15 August 2017}}</ref> winning a Grammy for their album, ''[[Old Church Basement]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elevation Worship Receives First GRAMMY Award With Best Contemporary Christian Music Album |first=Jessie |last=Clarks |work=TCB |date=April 4, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |url= https://www.thechristianbeat.org/elevation-worship-receives-first-grammy-award-with-best-contemporary-christian-music-album/}}</ref>
In 2007, he made headlines when his church gave $40,000 to members in envelopes with $5, $20 and even $1,000, telling them to spend it kindly on others.<ref name="Funk" />
Furtick speaks at events all over the world including the 2011 Global Leadership Summit hosted by [[Bill Hybels]],<ref>City of Athens, Texas. [http://www.athenstx.org/things-to-do/2011-global-leadership-summit "Things to do: 2011 Global Leadership Summit"]. Retrieved April 24, 2012.</ref> the C3 Conference 2012 hosted by [[Ed Young Jr.]],<ref>C3 Conference. [http://c3conference.com/speakers/ "Speakers"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423074452/http://c3conference.com/speakers |date=April 23, 2012}}. Retrieved April 23, 2012.</ref> the Hillsong Conference 2012 hosted by [[Brian Houston (pastor)|Brian Houston]],<ref>Hillsong Conference. [http://hillsongconference.com/guests-team "Speakers"]. Retrieved July 6, 2012.</ref> and the Presence Conference in 2012 and 2013 hosted by [[Phil Pringle]].<ref>My C3 Church. [http://www2.myc3church.net/presence "Presence 2012]. Retrieved April 23, 2012.</ref> Furtick also participated in The Elephant Room 1 and The Elephant Room 2 hosted by [[James MacDonald (pastor)|James MacDonald]].<ref>The Elephant Room. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110926141546/http://www.theelephantroom.com/conversations/ "Conversations"]. Retrieved April 23, 2012.</ref> Furtick was named to [[Oprah Winfrey|Oprah's]] ''SuperSoul100'' list of visionaries and influential leaders in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 1, 2016 |title=Meet the SuperSoul100: The World's Biggest Trailblazers in One Room |url=http://www.oprah.com/spirit/supersoul100-the-worlds-biggest-trailblazers-in-one-room |work=O Magazine |access-date=July 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705180050/http://www.oprah.com/spirit/supersoul100-the-worlds-biggest-trailblazers-in-one-room |archive-date=July 5, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2012, in response to a need of mentorship for 1,000 students in area schools, Furtick launched an outreach program at Elevation Church called the M1 Initiative. Furtick said: "We have always said we want to be a blessing to our city and support our leaders with a volunteer force they can count on." More than 1,600 members responded and committed to mentoring a child for the 2012–2013 school year.<ref name="ChristianPost12K">{{cite news |last1=Murashko |first1=Alex |title=Over 1,600 Elevation Church Volunteers Answer Call to Mentor Students |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/over-1600-elevation-church-volunteers-answer-call-to-mentor-students-82150/ |work=The Christian Post |date=25 September 2012}}</ref>
Furtick has committed to donating 12 percent of Elevation Church's giving to support outreach efforts nationally and globally.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martinez |first1=Jessica |title=Elevation Church Donates $300,000 to Fight Homelessness in Charlotte; 'I Can't Thank You Enough,' Says Mayor |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/elevation-church-donates-300000-to-fight-homelessness-in-charlotte.html |work=The Christian Post |date=6 February 2014}}</ref>
==Public life and media== Furtick is a [[New York Times Best Seller|''New York Times'' best selling author]].<ref name="book">{{cite news |title=Elevation Church pastor sells books from pulpit |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/investigations/i-team/elevation-church-pastor-sells-books-from-pulpit/275-292976502 |publisher=[[WCNC-TV]] |date=8 February 2014}}</ref> He has also participated in various philanthropic campaigns, donating clothes and furniture to families in need.<ref name="Funk" />
In 2013, Furtick declined to answer questions regarding his salary, his tax-free housing allowance, how much he makes from books and speaking fees, and how the church is governed.<ref name="Watson3">Watson, Stuart. [http://www.wcnc.com/news/iteam/Elevation-Church-Pastor-responds-to-critics-of-his-17m-home-229413291.html "Pastor responds to critics of his $1.7M home"]. [[WCNC-TV]]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202712/http://www.wcnc.com/news/iteam/Elevation-Church-Pastor-responds-to-critics-of-his-17m-home-229413291.html |date=October 29, 2013 | quote=Furtick has refused to answer questions about his salary, his tax-free housing allowance, how much he makes from books and speaking fees promoted by the tax exempt church, and how Elevation Church is governed – which is not by an elected group of elders made up of church members but an appointed "Board of Overseers" made up entirely of other mega church pastors.}}. Retrieved October 28, 2013.</ref> Elevation has stated that Furtick is generous to the church with the money he receives from writing books—that he arranges for the church to purchase his books directly from the publisher, allowing Elevation to receive the author's discount and keep the money from sales. They have also reported that the publisher pays the church to produce marketing materials to promote Furtick's books. Elevation has confirmed that Furtick's salary is set by a Board of Overseers composed of other [[megachurch]] pastors, who vote on his salary based on a compensation study conducted by an outside firm, and that Furtick does not vote on his own salary.<ref name="Watson">{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Stuart |url=http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/I-Team-How-a-pastor-paid-for-his-multi-million-dollar-home-228870731.html |title=I-Team: How a pastor built a multi-million dollar home |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191218/http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/I-Team-How-a-pastor-paid-for-his-multi-million-dollar-home-228870731.html |archive-date=29 October 2013 |date=23 October 2013 |publisher=[[WCNC-TV]]}}</ref><ref name="Wilson">{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Jen |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/morning-edition/2013/10/elevation-church-pastors-home-draws.html |title=Elevation Church pastor's home draws scrutiny |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025084105/http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/morning-edition/2013/10/elevation-church-pastors-home-draws.html |archive-date=25 October 2013 |date=23 October 2013 |website=Charlotte Business Journal |url-status=live}}</ref>
On October 2, 2020, [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] began airing programming from Furtick, replacing the [[Kenneth Copeland]] ministries program ''Believer's Voice of Victory''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Steven Furtick to Replace Kenneth Copeland on TBN |url=https://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/steven-furtick-to-replace-kenneth-copeland-on-tbn.html |work=ChristianHeadlines |agency=Religion News Service |date=20 August 2020}}</ref>
==Bibliography== * {{cite book|title=Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible|last=Furtick|first=Steven|year=2010|publisher=[[Multnomah Books]]|isbn=978-1-60142-322-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781601423221}} * {{cite book|title=Greater: Dream Bigger. Start Smaller. Ignite God's Vision for Your Life.|last=Furtick|first=Steven|year=2012|publisher=[[Multnomah Books]]|isbn=978-1-60142-325-2}} * {{cite book|title=Crash The Chatterbox: Hearing God's Voice Above All Others|last=Furtick|first=Steven|year=2014|publisher=[[Multnomah Books]]|isbn=978-1-60142-456-3}} * {{cite book|title=(Un)Qualified: How God Uses Broken People to Do Big Things|last=Furtick|first=Steven|year=2016|publisher=[[Multnomah Books]]|isbn=978-1601424594}} * {{cite book|title=Seven-Mile Miracle: Journey Into the Presence of God Through the Last Words of Jesus|last=Furtick|first=Steven|year=2017|publisher=[[Multnomah Books]]|isbn=978-160142-922-3}} * {{cite book|title=Do the New You: 6 Mindsets to Become Who You Were Created to Be|last=Furtick|first=Steven|year=2024|publisher=[[Multnomah Books]]|isbn=978-154600-682-4}} * {{cite book|title=Do the True You: Stop Faking It for Others and Find Out Who God Says You Are|last=Furtick|first=Steven|year=2026|publisher=[[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Nashville]]|isbn=978-154600-968-9}}
==Awards and nominations== ===GMA Dove Awards=== {{awards table}} |- | rowspan="2" | [[48th GMA Dove Awards|2017]]<ref>{{cite web |title=48th Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees Announced Today |url=https://gospelmusic.org/news/48th-annual-gma-dove-awards-nominees-announced-today |publisher=Gospel Music Association |date=9 August 2017}}</ref> | rowspan="2" | "[[O Come to the Altar]]" <br>{{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Worship Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | [[49th GMA Dove Awards|2018]]<ref>{{cite web |title=The 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees Announced Today with Tauren Wells Leading Artist Nominations with Eight and Zach Williams with Six |url=https://gospelmusic.org/news/the-49th-annual-gma-dove-awards-nominees-announced-today-with-tauren-wells-leading-artist-nominations-with-eight-and-zach-williams-with-six |publisher=Gospel Music Association |date=8 August 2018}}</ref> | "[[Do It Again (Elevation Worship song)|Do It Again]]" <br>{{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | Worship Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="2" | [[51st GMA Dove Awards|2020]]<ref name=past>{{cite web |title=Dove Winners (1969 - 2024) |url=https://doveawards.com/awards/past-winners |publisher=Dove Awards}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Cluver |first=Ross |title=2020 Dove Award Nominees Announced |url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/2020-dove-award-nominees-announced/ |work=CCM Magazine |date=13 August 2020}}</ref> | "[[See a Victory]]" <br>{{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | "[[The Blessing (song)|The Blessing (Live)]]" <br>{{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | Worship Recorded Song of the Year | {{won}} |- | rowspan="10" | [[52nd GMA Dove Awards|2021]]<ref name=past/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |title=Lauren Daigle, Zach Williams & More Vie for Artist of the Year at 2021 GMA Dove Awards |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2021-gma-dove-awards-nominations-9613134/ |work=Billboard |date=11 August 2021}}</ref> | "[[Graves into Gardens (song)|Graves into Gardens]]" <br>{{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | rowspan="2" | Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | "[[The Blessing (song)|The Blessing]]" <br>{{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | {{won}} |- | Himself | Songwriter of the Year (Non-artist) | {{nom}} |- | "[[Never Lost]]" <br>{{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | "[[Graves into Gardens (song)|Tumbas A Jardines]]" <br>{{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | "Graves into Gardens" <br>{{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | rowspan="2" | Worship Recorded Song of the Year | {{won}} |- | "[[Jireh (song)|Jireh]]" <br>{{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | {{nom}} |- | ''[[Graves into Gardens]]'' <br>{{small|(credited as producer)}} | rowspan="2" | Worship Album of the Year | {{nom}} |- | ''[[Old Church Basement]]'' <br>{{small|(credited as producer)}} | {{won}} |- | ''Living Color'' <br>{{small|(credited as producer)}} | Children's Album of the Year | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="5" | [[52nd GMA Dove Awards|2022]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Grein |first=Paul |title=Matthew West & Maverick City Music Among Top Nominees for 2022 GMA Dove Awards |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-gma-dove-awards-nominees-1235124665/ |work=Billboard |date=10 August 2022}}</ref> | rowspan="2" | "[[Jireh (song)|Jireh]]" <br>{{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Worship Recorded Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | "[[Rattle!]]" <br>{{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="2" | ''[[Lion (Elevation Worship album)|Lion]]'' <br>{{small|(credited as producer and art director)}} | Worship Album of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Recorded Music Packaging of the Year | {{nom}} |- |}
===Grammy Awards=== {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Nominee / work !Award !Result !Source |- | 2019 | ''[[Hallelujah Here Below]]'' | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | {{nom}} |<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/8489045/2019-grammy-nominees-full-list|title=2019 Grammy Nominations: Complete List|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|last=Lynch|first=Joe|date=December 7, 2018|accessdate=December 11, 2018}}</ref> |- | 2021 | "[[The Blessing (song)|The Blessing]]" <br> {{small|(credited as songwriter)}} | Best Contemporary Christian Performance/Song | {{nom}} |<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9489062/grammy-nominations-2021-full-list |title= 2021 Grammy Nominations: See the Full List {{!}} Billboard |last= Warner |first= Denise |date= November 24, 2020 |website= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date= November 25, 2020}}</ref> |- |2022 |''[[Old Church Basement]]'' |Best Contemporary Christian Music Album |{{won}} |<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-grammy-awards-winners-list-1235054006/ |title= 2022 Grammys Winners List (Complete) – Billboard |last= Atkinson |first= Katie |date= April 3, 2022 |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date= April 4, 2022}}</ref> |- |2026 |"[[Hard Fought Hallelujah]]" <br> {{small|(credited as songwriter)}} |Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song |{{won}} |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/2026-grammys-winners-list/|title=Here Are the 2026 Grammys Winners: Full List (Updating Live) |last=Atkinson|first=Katie|date=2026-02-01|accessdate=2026-02-01|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.stevenfurtick.com/ StevenFurtick.com] {{Portal|Evangelical Christianity|}} {{Elevation Worship}} {{Sons of Sunday}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Furtick, Steven}} [[Category:1980 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:21st-century American male writers]] [[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]] [[Category:21st-century Baptist ministers from the United States]] [[Category:American evangelicals]] [[Category:American male non-fiction writers]] [[Category:American religious writers]] [[Category:Baptist writers]] [[Category:North Greenville University alumni]] [[Category:People from Moncks Corner, South Carolina]] [[Category:Southern Baptist ministers]] [[Category:Southern Baptist Theological Seminary alumni]] [[Category:Trinity Broadcasting Network people]]