On Mother’s Day May 10, 1959, John and Dodie opened their Lakewood Baptist Church is a “dusty, abandoned feed store. (Not long after they dropped the Baptist and became non-denominational.
Original Lakewood Church Opened Mother’s Day May 10, 1959
John and Dodie’s efforts at Lakewood were blessed with phenomenal. Lakewood Church grew to a congregation of well over 10,000 souls housed in a new building.
John and Dodie Osteen In IsraelThe Second Lakewood Church Facility
Meanwhile, the family of John and Dodie Osteen grew to include:
“They both teach a twisted form of Christianity that teaches obedience, giving, and faith as a way to get things from God. They are both products of what is known as the Prosperity Gospel and The Word of Faith Movement, or the Seed Faith Movement.”
— Rick Henderson
Joel reluctantly stepped into the role of Lakewood Church pastor. His stated preference was for the behind-the-scenes media work.
Reluctant or not, pastor televangelist is the role Joel Osteen was born to fill. Since becoming the head of Houston’s Lakewood Church, Osteen has grown the church’s membership to more than 40,000. Since becoming the head of Houston’s Lakewood Church, Osteen has grown the church’s membership to more than 40,000. The already very large Lakewood Church has grown to over 40,000 members.
And a new church building, an NBA former basketball arena. Once home to the Houston Rockets it is now home to Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church.
Lakewood Church At NightInterior Of Lakewood Church
The growth of the church led to the growth of Joel Osteen’s wealth — in the $50 million-plus range. But Joel is not ashamed of his wealth.
Joel is married to the former Victoria Iloff who hales from Huntsville, Alabama. And yes, her father worked in the aerospace program there. When Victoria was two years old her father took a job with NASA and the family moved to Houston.
Victoria briefly attended the University of Houston but dropped out of college to work in her mother’s jewelry business. It was at the jewelry store that she met a customer who stopped in for a watch battery — Joel Osteen.
The couple married April 4, 1957. They have two children: Johnathan and Alexandra.
Joel and Victoria Osteen Son Johnathan Daughter Alexandra
Joel’s preaching has made him beloved by millions. Still, critics criticize what they term Christianity Lite.
“I think it’s a cotton candy gospel,” the Rev. Michael Horton, professor of theology at Westminster Seminary in Escondido, California said.
“His core message is God is nice, you’re nice, be nice. It’s sort of a, if it were a form of music, I think it would be easy listening.
He uses the Bible like a fortune cookie. ‘This is what’s gonna happen for you. There’s gonna be a windfall in your life tomorrow.’ The Bible’s not meant to be read that way.”
Morgan Freeman, currently fascinating viewer with his “The Story Of God” is not a religious man. But of all the religious people with whom Freeman interacted in the making of the series, it was Joel Osteen who made the biggest impression on him.
“In a Houston megachurch (Lakewood Church) I connected somewhat. Encouraged to think positive. You don’t just get some things just like that! You have to go do it to get it. God’s plan for us is to succeed. – Morgan Freeman