John Osteen

Infobox Person
name = John Hillery Osteen
birth_name = John Hillery Osteen
birth_date = birth date|1921|4|05
birth_place = Siloam Springs, Arkansas
death_date = death date and age|1999|1|23|1921|4|05
death_place = Houston, Texas
occupation = Pastor, Author, Teleevangelist
spouse = Emma Jean Shaffer, followed by divorce:Dolores (Dodie) Pilgrim Osteen, 1955-1999
children = 6 children: John Hillery Jr (by Emma), Paul, Lisa, April, Tamara, and pastor Joel Osteen
residency = Houston, Texas


employer = Lakewood Church
title = Founder and Senior Pastor, Lakewood Church
term = 1958-1999 (his death)
religion = Non-denominational Christianity
website = [http://www.lakewood.cc Lakewood Church website]
parents =
footnotes =

John Hillery Osteen (April 5, 1921 – January 23, 1999) was the first pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas from its beginnings in 1959 until his death in 1999 of a heart attack. His son Joel Osteen succeeded him.

Osteen earned his bachelors degree from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and his Masters degree from Northern Baptist Seminary. He also held a Doctorate of Divinity degree from Oral Roberts University.Fact|date=March 2008

Osteen began preaching at the age of 17 and initially was ordained as a minister by a Southern Baptist congregation. He shifted his views toward a more charismatic perspective in 1958 and voluntarily disassociated himself from the SBC. On Mother's Day, 1959 he started what is now Lakewood Church in what was described as a "dusty, abandoned feedstore" in northeast Houston.

Lakewood Church

Osteen founded Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, widely known as "The Oasis of Love in a Troubled World", where his son Joel Osteen continues to minister to thousands weekly. He hosted the weekly "John Osteen" television program for 16 years, reaching millions in the U.S. and in many other countries internationally with his interpretation of the Gospel. His numerous books, cassettes, and videotapes are widely distributed.

External Sources

* [http://www.daystarchristian.com/a_tribute_to_pastor_john_osteen.htm Tribute to John Osteen -- Day Star Christian]
* [http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=obits_3413529 Obituary from the Houston Chronicle]
* [http://www.faithbuilders.co.uk/mins/49.htm Faith Builders' article on John and Dodie Osteen]