Jesus Image

Jesus Image
Location	Orlando, Florida
Country	United States
Denomination	Non-denominational
Associations	Benny Hinn Ministries, Bethel Church, The Send
Website	jesusimage.tv
History
Founder(s)	Michael and Jessica Koulianos
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)	Michael Koulianos

Jesus Image is a non-denominational Christian ministry and church based in Orlando, Florida. It was founded by evangelist Michael Koulianos, along with his wife, Jessica Koulianos. It is known for its emphasis on charismatic worship, healing, and revival-themed events. The ministry includes a local church, a worship band, an international conference known as Jesus 'XX - e.g. Jesus '19, '20, '21, and a ministry training program called Jesus School.

Jesus Image operates within the broader charismatic and Pentecostal movement, with affiliations to prominent figures such as Benny Hinn, Bill Johnson, and Heidi Baker. The organization maintains a significant digital presence through livestreams, music releases, and social media, and it has drawn both public support and criticism for its theological views, fundraising practices, and controversial affiliations.

History

Jesus Image began as a ministry organization in 2009–2010, founded by evangelist Michael Koulianos. In an interview on the Talking Church Podcast, he recounts that while the ministry was officially “on paper” in late 2008, its active form took shape when he began traveling worldwide as an evangelist and leading intimate gatherings focused on Jesus.

In 2014, the ministry launched its flagship event, Jesus Conference '14, in Orlando. The event featured Michael Koulianos alongside speakers Benny Hinn and Reinhard Bonnke.

By December 2018, the ministry organized Jesus ’18, a multi-day conference at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The event, hosted by Jesus Image, included prominent speakers such as Michael and Jessica Koulianos, Benny Hinn, Heidi Baker, Todd White, and Bethel Music artists, highlighting further growth and influence.

According to Michael Koulianos, in September 2018, a weekly Sunday night service began at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Orlando. Held on his birthday (September 16), this gathering quickly drew hundreds and, as Koulianos recalls, prompted the realization that this was now “a church.”

In September 2020, Jesus Image formally launched Jesus School, a discipleship and ministry training program aimed at equipping students to ‘live fully for Jesus.’ The announcement, shared via the ministry’s Facebook page, highlighted themes of revival and intimacy with God. While many followers expressed enthusiastic support, a few responses reflected skepticism or concern about the school’s legitimacy or theological emphasis.

Since its founding, Jesus Image Church has grown into a multi-generational congregation, especially popular with Generation Z, and streams weekly services on platforms like YouTube and Victory Channel. While the ministry emphasizes worship and the presence of Jesus as central themes, it also maintains a strong visual identity and branded presence across events, merchandise, and online platforms. Michael and Jessica Koulianos feature prominently in promotional materials, and the organization’s messaging frequently blends spiritual language with campaign branding.

In late 2024, Jesus Image launched a capital campaign called Build His House, aimed at constructing a permanent facility in Orlando to house the church, Jesus School, and other ministry functions. The campaign includes plans for a sanctuary, classrooms, a prayer center, and administrative offices. According to updates shared through the organization’s social media accounts, foundation work was completed in early 2025, and fundraising remains ongoing.

Facilities and expansion

Jesus Image currently leases this building in Orlando, Florida, for its weekly services, while construction is underway on a permanent facility in Sanford.

Jesus Image and its Jesus School program operate out of a leased facility located near Forest City Road in Orlando, Florida, a property that has historically been associated with Benny Hinn’s ministry organizations. Public corporate records indicate that the property was previously registered to Benny Hinn Ministries, Inc., with Hinn and his wife Suzanne listed in leadership roles. As of 2025, Jesus Image does not appear to own the facility and is instead operating services from the location under a lease arrangement.

Lobby display promoting the "Build His House" campaign at Jesus Image Church.

In early 2022, the ministry announced plans to purchase and expand into a permanent headquarters in Orlando to accommodate a growing congregation, an expanding student body, and increasing media demands. The new facility includes a large worship center, meeting spaces, ministry offices, and production areas.

As part of this expansion, Jesus Image launched the Build His House fundraising initiative. The campaign, promoted through church services and social media, frames the construction of a permanent facility for the ministry as a spiritually significant endeavor. Church leaders encourage members and followers to contribute sacrificially, often framing the effort as a divine calling to prepare a space for greater revival and discipleship activity.

To support larger public events, Jesus Image has rented high-capacity venues such as the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, which seats over 9,000 attendees. The Jesus ’24 Conference and previous annual gatherings have drawn sizable crowds, showcasing the organization’s ability to scale operations beyond its home facility.

As of June 2025, Jesus Image has not announced any satellite campuses. However, it continues to expand its digital reach, including the launch of Jesus School Online, which offers remote theological training for international and non-local students.

Events and conferences

Jesus Image hosts a variety of events and gatherings that reflect its charismatic and revival-oriented mission. These include annual conferences, leadership summits, weekly church services, and a multi-phase building campaign.

Regular Services and Broadcasts

Jesus Image holds weekly Sunday morning and evening services in Orlando, along with midweek worship events such as Jesus Nights. These services are streamed live through platforms including YouTube and the Victory Channel, reaching a global online audience. The ministry also hosts youth and children’s services.

Jesus Conference

The ministry’s flagship event, the Jesus Conference, began in 2014 and has since become a recurring large-scale worship gathering. According to Charisma News, the 2019 conference in Orlando drew large crowds and featured prominent speakers from the charismatic Christian movement. The report described the event as one intended to “bring the fathers and mothers of the faith together with a rising group of voices,” with a strong emphasis on healing, worship, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

The conference has continued annually under stylized branding such as Jesus ’22, Jesus ’23, and Jesus ’25. These events have taken place at large venues including the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, with promotional listings and registration pages appearing on third-party platforms such as Eventbrite.

Pastors and Leaders Conference

In addition to its main conference, Jesus Image organizes a separate event for pastors and church leaders. According to publicly available information and ministry communications, the Pastors and Leaders Conference was launched in 2022. The event offers scriptural instruction, worship, and ministry networking. The 2024 edition took place in San Diego, and a subsequent gathering was scheduled for Orlando in mid-2025.

Leadership

Michael Koulianos

Michael Koulianos is the founder and senior leader of Jesus Image. Born on September 16, 1977, in Tarpon Springs, Florida, he was raised in the Greek Orthodox tradition before converting to Protestant Christianity at age 12. He began preaching publicly by age 16 and was ordained in 2005 at World Healing Center Church in California. In 2007, he launched the initial iteration of the Jesus Image ministry, later establishing Jesus Image Church and Jesus School in Orlando.

Koulianos is also an author and conference speaker. His publications include The Jesus Book and Holy Spirit: The One Who Makes Jesus Real. In addition to leading weekly services and organizing major events such as the Jesus Conference, he serves as a public figure in the global charismatic movement.

In 2019, Koulianos participated as one of the main speakers and leaders of The Send, a large evangelistic stadium event held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The event, organized by a coalition of ministries, aimed to mobilize youth for missions and evangelism.

He also leads the organization’s ongoing Build His House capital campaign, which began in 2024 with the goal of constructing a permanent ministry campus in Orlando.

Jessica Koulianos

Jessica Koulianos is the co-founder of Jesus Image and serves as a teaching pastor and director of Jesus School. She regularly appears alongside her husband at events and worship services, where she leads women’s ministry initiatives and discipleship sessions.

Jessica is the daughter of televangelist Benny Hinn, a prominent figure in the global Pentecostal and charismatic movement. Her background and public ministry have positioned her as a key influence within Jesus Image and its associated programs. Michael Koulianos has publicly acknowledged Hinn as both a mentor and father-in-law, and Jessica has been identified as Hinn’s daughter in Christian media coverage.

Merchandise and branding

A merchandise table at Jesus Image Church offering apparel, books, and other branded items for purchase.

Jesus Image offers a range of branded merchandise available both at their physical events and through online platforms. At in-person services, a staffed merchandise stand typically sells hoodies, crewnecks, T-shirts, hats, journals, books, and keychains, with signage indicating prices and occasional promotional discounts (“50 % OFF” tags) in the lobby area just inside the entrance.

Financial structure and transparency

Jesus Image operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Florida under Jesus Image Inc.(EIN 26‑3838368). Its publicly available IRS Form 990 filings provide insight into its financial status.

For the fiscal year ending December 2018, the ministry reported $3.28 million in revenue, $1.94 million in expenses, and held $1.6 million in net assets. Executive compensation totaled $265,016, with the Koulianos couple receiving approximately $178,000 combined.

A separate entity, Jesus Image Society (EIN 47‑2668826), reported $88,112 in revenue and $51,423 in expenses for 2023, ending the year with $317,000 in net assets.

The ministry’s primary revenue sources include donations (approximately 80%) and program services (approximately 20%), including event ticket sales, school fees, and media donations. Governance and financial oversight are managed by a board of directors under IRS nonprofit guidelines.

Build His House Campaign

As of June 2025, the ministry reports that the "Build His House" capital campaign has raised $15.8 million toward a goal of $28.6 million for Phase 1 construction—following the erection of foundational tilt-walls and commencement of framing and utilities work.

The campaign has featured high-profile fundraising events such as the Vision Cup golf tournament, with all proceeds directed to the building project. Online giving drives called “Commitment Sundays” and livestreamed appeals also reinforce the spiritual framing of donations as expressions of faith.

Online presence

Jesus Image utilizes multiple social platforms to reach a global audience through streamed services, short-form content, and music production.

Website

The official site, jesusimage.tv, hosts livestream links, streamlines options for giving—including contributions to the Build His House campaign—and serves as the central hub for news, event registration, and teaching resources. According to Similarweb data from May 2025, the site receives approximately 5,400 monthly visits, with an average duration of 10 seconds per visit, indicating modest but steady web traffic.

YouTube

The official Jesus Image YouTube channel was created in March 2011 and, as of June 2025, currently boasts over 2.1 million subscribers with approximately 484 million total views as of mid-June 2025⁠. The channel regularly features full-length Sunday services, worship songs, and teaching segments.

TikTok

The official TikTok account boasts over 116,000 followers and 1.2 million likes, posting short worship clips, scripture teachings, and spiritual encouragements that regularly receive strong engagement.

Instagram

The ministry’s Instagram presence is robust, with over 322,000 followers, sharing event updates, worship highlights, and church news.

X

An official account on X also disseminates service clips, testimonials, and ministry announcements, contributing to its digital reach.

Jesus School

Jesus School is a vocational discipleship and ministry training program affiliated with Jesus Image, located in Orlando, Florida. It offers instruction in theology, worship, evangelism, and practical ministry, culminating in a Religious Vocational Post‑Secondary Certificate. Some program tracks offer up to 30 transferable credits through formal agreements with institutions such as Regent University, Faith International University, Logos University, and Southeastern University.

Curriculum and Structure

Students may enroll for one to three years of full-time study in subjects including Christology, Pneumatology, Worship, Healing, Deliverance, Evangelism, and Revival History. Weekly schedules include classroom teaching, worship, evangelism outings, and ministry service. Mission trips and community outreach opportunities are also part of the program.

Accreditation and Funding

Jesus School is not accredited by any regional or national accrediting body and does not grant academic degrees. According to the program’s website, students are ineligible for federal financial aid or student loans and must independently fund tuition and related expenses. While graduates of certain tracks may transfer up to 30 credit hours to partner institutions, these credits are limited in scope and not guaranteed to be recognized by accredited universities outside of the listed partners.

Leadership and Instructors

Jesus School is led by Michael and Jessica Koulianos, the founders of Jesus Image. Both are involved in regular teaching, worship leadership, and student ministry. Jessica Koulianos, the daughter of televangelist Benny Hinn, frequently leads worship and serves in a pastoral role.

Guest instructors from the broader charismatic Christian community have taught at Jesus School intensives. These include Benny Hinn, Steffany Gretzinger, Bill Johnson, Heidi Baker, Francis Chan, Randy Clark, and Brother Yun.

These instructors participate in seminar-style lectures, Q&A sessions, and worship events. Their involvement is documented through official program listings and Jesus Image social media posts.

Criticism

The launch of Jesus School in 2020 prompted a wave of criticism on Facebook, particularly under the ministry’s announcement post. Commenters voiced concern over the tuition fee, arguing that charging for ministry training commodifies the gospel. Some drew comparisons to street-side solicitations, stating that “the Gospel should never be for sale.” Others objected to the association with prominent charismatic leaders such as Todd White and Bill Johnson, accusing them of promoting what they viewed as “man-centered” or “prosperity gospel” teachings. Several users referred to the organization’s leadership as “false teachers.”

Music and worship

Jesus Image has a distinct worship culture characterized by vibrant congregational singing and music-led spiritual moments. Their original worship songs, often released on YouTube and performed during services, aim to evoke deep emotional responses and a sense of spiritual presence.

A 2023 review by The Berean Test praised Jesus Image’s song “Yeshua,” stating it “glorifies Jesus as the One we adore,” and commended its scriptural fidelity and lyrical depth, awarding it a 10/10 rating and noting its effectiveness in directing worship toward Christ rather than performers.

Public feedback on platforms like Yelp and TikTok frequently highlights worship services as “Holy Spirit filled,” with one Yelp review commenting “Very good message by Jessica, and worship was Holy Spirit filled!”

Contoversies and criticism

Jesus Image has faced scrutiny from both religious commentators and former attendees due to its leadership’s ties to controversial televangelist Benny Hinn, its emphasis on emotional worship experiences, and concerns regarding theological clarity and transparency. While the ministry presents itself as Christ-centered and revival-focused, critics have raised questions about its doctrinal foundations, public messaging, and broader affiliations.

Affiliation with Benny Hinn

Jesus Image has drawn scrutiny due to its close relationship with televangelist Benny Hinn, who is the father of co-founder Jessica Koulianos and father-in-law of founder Michael Koulianos. Michael has frequently described Hinn as a mentor and has appeared with him at various events.

Hinn’s ministry has long been controversial. He was one of six televangelists included in a 2007–2011 U.S. Senate Finance Committee investigation led by Senator Chuck Grassley, which examined the use of tax-exempt donations. Although the investigation ended without penalties, the final report cited concerns about a lack of transparency and financial oversight.

Criticism has also focused on Hinn’s teachings, particularly in relation to the prosperity gospel, faith healing, and what some theological watchdogs consider extra-biblical prophetic claims. Investigative documentaries by NBC’s Dateline and CBC’s The Fifth Estate have questioned the legitimacy of healing claims and staging at his events. In 2019, Hinn publicly distanced himself from aspects of the prosperity gospel, stating that certain teachings were unbiblical.

In 2024, YouTuber and pastor Mike Winger released a four-hour video titled The Problem with Benny Hinn, compiling critiques of Hinn’s theology, finances, and healing practices. Hinn’s ministry filed a copyright takedown request with YouTube, which was denied on fair use grounds, and the video remains publicly available.

Because of these connections, critics have argued that Jesus Image may inherit or perpetuate some of the theological and structural issues associated with Hinn’s legacy, particularly in areas related to faith healing, financial transparency, and charismatic expression.

Visual and Emotional Techniques

Jesus Image services are characterized by immersive lighting, prolonged musical worship, synchronized crowd participation, and emotionally charged exhortations. These elements are a consistent part of the church’s format and are regularly observed during livestreamed services. For example, during a service held on June 22, 2025, Benny Hinn, who does not preach regularly at the church, delivered the majority of the sermon and was observed placing his hands on attendees—sometimes forcefully—leading several individuals to fall to the floor. As worship music intensified, attendees were seen raising their hands, weeping, speaking in tongues, or collapsing to the ground. These emotional displays occur frequently during Jesus Image services and are regularly seen in weekly gatherings led by Michael Koulianos or other in-house ministers.

Critics argue that such elements foster a highly charged emotional environment that may heighten suggestibility or induce trance-like psychological states. Academic research into charismatic speech has identified similarities between oratory features—such as rhythmic repetition, emotionally evocative language, and directive phrasing—and techniques known to produce altered or hypnoidal states in controlled settings. Scholarly studies on the phenomenon known as being “slain in the Spirit,” where worship participants collapse or enter altered states, have also drawn connections to ritual trance, emotional contagion, and psychological suggestion rather than exclusively supernatural explanations.

Experts in hypnosis and persuasion have further noted that practices such as sustained musical buildup, physical touch from a spiritual leader, and unified crowd behavior align with documented methods of inducing heightened responsiveness or compliance. These dynamics are not unique to Jesus Image but are common across some charismatic and Pentecostal movements, and they have been the subject of continued academic and theological debate.

Use of Legal Waivers

Sign posted in the lobby of Jesus Image Church outlining attendee consent, liability disclaimers, and media usage rights.

At Jesus Image services and events, prominently displayed signage informs attendees of various legal disclaimers and consent agreements. These include a video and photography release, stating that all attendees grant the church the right to record and distribute their likeness across media platforms. The notice emphasizes that Jesus Image retains full copyright over this material and may edit or use it at its discretion.

Additional signage outlines a broad waiver of liability, which includes disclaimers for illness or injury, particularly related to COVID-19, as well as limitations on damages, including emotional distress, medical treatment outcomes, and financial loss. The waiver also includes a clause regarding the transmission of communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases, stating that Jesus Image holds no responsibility if one attendee knowingly or unknowingly transmits such a condition to another.

These types of waivers became more common among large events and gatherings following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, under Florida law, courts may refuse waivers that are overly broad; legal advice sites caution that disclaimers covering communicable disease and medical treatment could be unenforceable.

Affiliated ministries and partnerships

Jesus Image maintains affiliations with several notable ministries and leaders within the charismatic Christian movement. The ministry's connections range from family ties to Benny Hinn to academic and worship connections to Bethel Church.

Benny Hinn Ministries

Co-founder Jessica Koulianos, daughter of Benny Hinn, features prominently in Jesus Image’s leadership. Benny Hinn has appeared alongside Jesus Image leaders at conferences and workshops, including Jesus ’24 and the Pastors & Leaders Conference.

Bethel Church/Redding

Jesus School lists Bill Johnson as a guest instructor. Johnson is the senior leader at Bethel Church in Redding, California. Additionally, worship leader Steffany Gretzinger, formerly with Bethel Music, is listed as a Jesus School faculty member.

Global Charismatic Leaders

Jesus School intensives also include speakers such as Heidi Baker (Iris Global), Francis Chan, Randy Clark, and Brother Yun, indicating linkage to global revival movements and missionary networks.

The Send Movement

Founder Michael Koulianos was a co-leader of The Send evangelistic movement, speaking at its inaugural event in Orlando alongside leaders like Daniel Kolenda and Lou Engle in 2019.

Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary

The 2024 Jesus ’24 conference lineup included an unexpected partnership with the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, marking an ecumenical moment with a Lutheran monastic organization.