Article By Tony Reagan // EEW Magazine // Faith and Inspiration

OWN CEO Oprah Winfrey is a global media leader who has traveled the world, interviewed the leading thinkers of our time, and explored various faiths. But when it comes to her own faith, she says she is a Christian.

The 65-year-old, who says she respects all faiths, is viewed as controversial and “new age” among some Christians. Nevertheless, she refuses to let naysayers and doubters stop her from discussing her personal salvation through Jesus Christ, the Lord.

Here are 8 of our favorite faith quotes from the “Super Soul Sunday” host whose soul loves Jesus—despite what some may think or say.

She confesses Christ.

“I am a Christian.  That is my faith. I’m not asking you to be a Christian. If you want to be one, I can show you how.”

Faith was birthed in her at an early age.

“You know, I used to be a little preacher. When I was in third grade, people used to say, ‘Here comes that preacher girl again.’ I was preaching the gospel. Yes I was. I would remember the Bible verses and passages.”

She was baptized young.

“I grew up in the Baptist Church and going to church with my father. I remember being 8 years old, trying to determine whether I was really ready to give up sin, and for days I agonized. But I was probably toward 81/2 when I actually joined the church and was baptized — and, my God, did I take it seriously! I was a zealot who irritated every one of my third-grade friends. They didn't beat me up, but I got labeled ‘the preacher girl.’"

She has two favorite Bible passages.

“My favorite Bible verse, because I am Christian, is in Acts 17:28. It says, ‘In God I live, move, and have my being.’” And another favorite verse is Psalm 37:4: “Delight thyself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

She says Christ came to lead and guide.

“Jesus came to say, ‘I’m going to show you the way, and this is how you do it.’”

She believes God has a greater plan for you.

“What God intended for you goes far beyond anything you can imagine.”

She says be grateful to the Lord.

“Say ‘Thank You’ because your faith is so strong that you don't doubt that whatever the problem, you'll get through it. You're saying thank you because you know that even in the eye of the storm, God has put a rainbow in the clouds.”

She says God speaks through failure.

“You will be wounded many times in your life. You will make mistakes. Some people will call them failures, but I have learned that failure is really God’s way of saying, ‘Excuse me, you’re moving in the wrong direction.’”

Over the years, Winfrey has sat down with preachers, teachers and believers of many faiths or no faith at all. However, after all her searching, the philanthropist and entrepreneur has drawn a conclusion—Jesus is the way.