John Osteen

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John Osteen
Born	Jonathan Osteen April 5, 1925 (1925-04-05) Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Died	January 23, 1999 (aged 73) Houston, Texas
Occupation	Pastor, Author, Teleevangelist
Employers	Lakewood Church
Title	Founder and Senior Pastor, Lakewood Church
Term	1958-1999 (his death)
Religious beliefs	Non-denominational Christianity
Spouse	Dolores (Dodie) Pilgrim Osteen, 1955-1999
Children	5 children: Paul, Lisa, April, Tamara, and pastor Joel Osteen
Website Lakewood Church website

John Osteen (April 5, 1925 – 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.

[edit] Lakewood Church

Main article: 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 the Gospel. His numerous books, cassettes, and videotapes are widely distributed.