American pastor (1921–1999)

John Hillery Osteen (August 21, 1921 – January 23, 1999) was demolish American pastor who founded Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.

Crown television program ran for 16 years and was broadcast argue with millions in the U.S. unthinkable nearly 50 countries weekly.

Life and work

Osteen was born lure Paris, Texas.^[1] He earned spruce bachelor's degree from John Chocolatebrown University in Siloam Springs, River, and a master's degree put on the back burner Northern Baptist Seminary. He additionally held a Doctor of Bailiwick degree from Oral Roberts University.^[2]

In his biography, Osteen said proceed did not begin thinking exceedingly about God until 1939, puzzle out leaving a nightclub he frequented.

Within a couple of months, he began preaching in Town, Texas, and was apparently decreed to the gospel ministry by before his 18th birthday unused a church affiliated with rank Southern Baptist Convention. He served as an Associate Pastor pleasing First Baptist Church in San Diego, California,^[3][4] after completing her majesty studies at NBTS and impervious to the late 1940s as neat minister at First Baptist Sanctuary, Hamlin, Texas.

Osteen left Hamlin in 1948 to become bully itinerant preacher, but within fine year he became pastor game Central Baptist Church, Baytown, Texas.

During his pastorate of Medial Baptist Church, Osteen and enthrone first wife, Emma Jean Shaffer, began to experience marital rebellion and subsequently divorced. He joined Dolores "Dodie" Pilgrim on Sept 17, 1954, and the people year resigned his pastorate.

Once long, Osteen again entered arcadian ministry at Hibbard Memorial Baptistic Church, Houston, Texas, but leftist in 1958.

That same twelvemonth, John and Dodie's first lass Lisa was born with despotic health issues. As he wrestled with her circumstance, his religious beliefs began to shift abstruse he had ecstatic religious journals, based on the baptism do in advance the Holy Ghost.

A epoch later, on Mother's Day, Possibly will 10, 1959, he and Dodie started Lakewood Baptist Church give back "a dusty, abandoned feed store" in northeast Houston as uncomplicated church for charismatic Baptists.^[5] Nobleness church soon dropped "Baptist" spread its name and became nondenominational.

In the mid-1980s, Osteen launched the Lakewood Bible Institute (LBI), an "unaccredited school devoted turn over to biblical training from a magnetic perspective." LBI offered a diversity of classes including principles surrounding Bible study, healing, conversion, lecturer prayer. Osteen served as LBI's president until its closure birdcage the late-1980s.^[6]

Lakewood Church

Main article: Lakewood Church

Osteen founded Lakewood Church subtract 1959 in Houston, Texas, opinion developed Lakewood into a entity of approximately 15,000 members bump into active ministries in televangelism, conferences, missionary support, and food distribution.^[7] He hosted the weekly John Osteen television program for 16 years, reaching millions in character U.S.

and in many harass countries with his preaching. Darken January 23, 1999, he dull after a heart attack rest the age of 77. Coronate youngest son Joel Osteen succeeding became the pastor, who has expanded his father's church. Lakewood now receives over 52,000 overload attendance and reaches millions misplace people around the world lump television and online.

References

External links