One thing I've learned is there's nothing more profound or deep than the revelation of the cross of Christ and the depth of love that represents from a Heart that longs for intimate fellowship with each of His children. There's nothing greater in all of Heaven and Earth than knowing Him. God had graced Joel with an anointing that captures God's heart and "the simplicity of Christ" that many (including maybe Joel himself) mistake as shallow. Referring to I Cor 13:13, another man of God, one of the most respected and loved of our time, said that an effective message should always leave the hearer with more faith, hope and love than they had before. Joel knows that God has dropped that ardor for his sheep in his heart, but I don't think he knows the rarefied place he shares. Admitting that he's shallow would be just like him - Joel doesn't put on any airs - he seems like a regular guy (like Jesus, I think).
He doesn't have the anointing Paul did but few if any do. Paul was an apostle who wrote much of the new Testament. Most are either prophets, pastors, evangelists, or in some area God has fitted them for ministry. It seems God had called Joel to to feed God's sheep who are starving to hope in and know the goodness of God.
Sorry I'm going on and on. Joel and Victoria aren't prefect by any means and I some issues with some things with them. But I think he's anointed with a surprising depth that he may not even realize and God is using him at such a time as this. (I'm sure sitting under his man-of-God father for his whole life has something to do with this.) I have never seen a pastor express such love for his sheep as Joel does. He humiliates and embarrasses himself sometime by breaking down and crying while sharing a touching story or something else with his congregation. I've never seen a heart like his for his people. It's refreshing.
The massive crowd is broken into small sections with the groups being led by asst. pastors and deacons and they carry on something like a smaller, local church might...
As can be seen from visiting many churches, people are drawn to different types of preaching perhaps perhaps depending upon their circumstances or upbringing...