Louie Giglio Biography: Age, Height, Wife, Family, Children, Net Worth and Salary
Louie Giglio Biography
Louie Giglio is an American pastor, author, speaker, and Christian ministry leader best known as the founder and original visionary of the Passion movement and the global pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Since launching Passion in 1997, Giglio has helped lead gatherings for college-aged Christians across the United States and around the world. His ministry has also expanded into Passion City Church, Passion Publishing, sixstepsrecords, and the Passion Global Institute.
Giglio is also a bestselling author whose books include The Air I Breathe, I Am Not But I Know I Am, Goliath Must Fall, The Comeback, Not Forsaken, Indescribable, and Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table. He and his wife, Shelley, live in Atlanta.
Louie Giglio Age
Louie Giglio is 68 years old as of 2026. He was born on June 30, 1958, in Atlanta, Georgia. Giglio grew up in the Atlanta area and attended Campbell High School. His early life in Georgia eventually influenced his decision to return to Atlanta after spending several years in Texas, where he was involved in university ministry.
His ministry career has now spanned more than four decades, beginning with his work with students at Baylor University in the 1980s and eventually developing into the international Passion movement.
Louie Giglio Height
Louie stands at approximately height of 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall.
Louie Giglio Family
Louie Giglio was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up in the Atlanta area. His parents were Louie F. Giglio Jr. and Martha Giglio. His father died before the family was able to make its planned move from Texas back to Atlanta, while his mother remained involved in Atlanta-area churches until she died in 2010.
Giglio has one sister, Gina Shaw. His family has remained connected to the Atlanta area, where he eventually established Passion City Church and continues to live with his wife. Family has remained an important part of Giglio’s public story, particularly his relationship with his wife Shelley, who has worked alongside him in the Passion movement for decades.
Louie Giglio Wife
Louie Giglio’s wife is Shelley Giglio. The couple has been married for decades and has worked together in Christian ministry since the beginning of their university ministry in the 1980s.
After completing seminary, Louie and Shelley began a weekly Bible study called Choice Ministries at Baylor University in 1985. What began as a relatively small student gathering eventually grew substantially and became an important foundation for the ministry that later developed into Passion.
Shelley remains deeply involved in the Passion organization. Passion City Church identifies her as the Chief Strategist of the Passion movement, Director of Label Operations and Artist Management for sixstepsrecords, and co-founder of the Passion movement. She also leads The GROVE, a women’s gathering in Atlanta.
Louie and Shelley currently make their home in Atlanta, Georgia.
Louie Giglio Children
Louie Giglio and Shelley Giglio have children. Some sources identify three children by the names Louie F. Giglio Jr., Gina Shaw, and Martha Giglio.
Louie Giglio Education
Louie Giglio attended Georgia State University and later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. His theological education prepared him for pastoral ministry and Christian teaching.
After completing seminary, Giglio and Shelley moved into university ministry at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Their Choice Ministries Bible study became increasingly popular among Baylor students, eventually attracting a significant portion of the university’s student body. His education and early ministry experience established the foundation for his later work as a pastor, conference organizer, author, and speaker.
Louie Giglio Career
Louie Giglio began his ministry career working with college students. After completing seminary in the mid-1980s, he and Shelley started Choice Ministries at Baylor University. The weekly Bible study initially attracted a small group but eventually grew to hundreds and then more than a thousand students.
The experience gave Giglio a strong interest in reaching university students and young adults. In 1997, he launched the Passion movement, creating large gatherings centered on Christian worship, teaching, prayer, and service. Passion’s stated purpose is to call a generation of students to live for the name and renown of Jesus.
Over the years, Passion expanded beyond annual conferences. The organization developed into a broader ministry that includes Passion Conferences, Passion City Church, Passion Publishing, sixstepsrecords, and Passion Institute.
Giglio eventually returned to Atlanta and became involved in the development of Passion City Church. The church began with gatherings in Atlanta in 2008 and held its first service on February 15, 2009, at The Tabernacle.
Today, Passion City Church describes Louie and Shelley Giglio as its global leadership team. Louie serves as the Visionary Architect and Director of the Passion movement, while also serving as a pastor of Passion City Church.
Louie Giglio Passion Movement
The Passion movement is one of the central achievements of Louie Giglio’s career. The first Passion gathering took place in 1997, and the movement has since organized events for college-aged Christians across the United States and internationally.
Passion has gathered more than one million college-aged people at events since its beginning. The movement continues to focus particularly on people between the ages of 18 and 25. Passion events have also grown substantially in size. In 2024, more than 55,000 students attended Passion 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The movement has also become closely connected with contemporary Christian music through sixstepsrecords and artists associated with Passion. This has helped create a connection between Giglio’s preaching ministry and the modern Christian worship music industry.
Louie Giglio Church
Louie Giglio is a pastor and global leader of Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Passion City Church was developed from the broader Passion movement and began with small gatherings in Atlanta homes in 2008. The church held its first official service the following year.
The church’s mission centers on worship, Christian teaching, community, and reaching Atlanta and the wider world. Its current leadership structure lists Louie and Shelley Giglio as the global pastors, with location pastors overseeing specific campuses. Passion City Church has also expanded beyond Atlanta. The organization has a Washington, D.C., location and other ministry locations associated with the broader Passion network.
Louie Giglio Books
Louie Giglio is a bestselling Christian author with more than a dozen books and other published resources. His writing generally focuses on Christian faith, worship, spiritual growth, identity, overcoming fear, and understanding God’s character.
Some of his best-known books include:
- The Air I Breathe
- I Am Not But I Know I Am
- Goliath Must Fall
- The Comeback
- Not Forsaken
- Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God & Science
- Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table
- Seeing God as a Perfect Father
- Winning the Battle Against Your Giants
His book The Air I Breathe examines the subject of worship and presents worship as a way of life rather than simply a musical activity. I Am Not But I Know I Am explores Christian identity and the relationship between human identity and God.
One of his most widely recognized recent books is Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table, which addresses negative thoughts, spiritual struggles, and the Christian understanding of finding freedom through faith.
Louie Giglio Awards and Achievements
Louie Giglio’s most significant achievements have been connected to the development of the Passion movement and Passion City Church.
Since 1997, Passion has brought together more than one million college-aged people through conferences and other events. His ministry has also expanded into publishing, Christian music, church leadership, and theological education. The Passion organization currently encompasses Passion Conferences, Passion City Church, Passion Publishing, sixstepsrecords, and Passion Institute.
Giglio has also become a recognized Christian author and speaker. His books have been published nationally, while his sermons and teachings have been distributed through churches, conferences, television, podcasts, and online platforms. In 2013, Giglio was selected to deliver the benediction at President Barack Obama’s second inauguration, although he subsequently withdrew from the program.
Louie Giglio Net Worth
Louie Giglio has an estimated net worth of between $5 million and $10 million. The finances of Passion and Passion City Church should also not automatically be treated as Giglio’s personal wealth. Ministry organizations have their own revenues, expenses, assets, and operating costs.
MinistryWatch reported in January 2026 that Passion Conferences and associated entities did not publicly post audited financial statements or file Form 990s, making it difficult to determine their total annual revenue and expenses.
Louie Giglio Salary
As a pastor, author, speaker, and ministry leader, Giglio has several potential sources of professional income, including pastoral compensation, book royalties, speaking engagements, and other ministry-related activities. However, there is no reliable public source establishing his current annual salary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louie Giglio
How old is Louie Giglio?
Louie Giglio was born on June 30, 1958, making him 68 years old in 2026.
Where was Louie Giglio born?
Louie Giglio was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up in the Atlanta area.
How tall is Louie Giglio?
Louie Giglio’s exact height has not been reliably confirmed by an official source. Various websites publish different measurements.
Who is Louie Giglio’s wife?
Louie Giglio’s wife is Shelley Giglio. They have worked together in Christian ministry since the 1980s and continue to lead the Passion movement together.
Does Louie Giglio have children?
Louie Giglio and Shelley Giglio have children. Some older biographical sources identify three children, but current official biographies do not provide extensive information about them.
Where did Louie Giglio go to college?
Louie Giglio attended Georgia State University and later earned a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
What is Louie Giglio known for?
Louie Giglio is best known for founding the Passion movement, leading Passion City Church, preaching to young adults, and writing bestselling Christian books.
When did Louie Giglio start Passion?
Louie Giglio founded the Passion movement in 1997. The movement was created to bring college-aged Christians together around worship, teaching, prayer, and Christian service.
What church does Louie Giglio pastor?
Louie Giglio is part of the global leadership of Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia, where he serves alongside his wife, Shelley.
