|
|
|
|
|
Joel OsteenJoel Osteen is the pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, said to be one of North Americas largest churches, averaging around 25,060 weekly attendees in 2004.1 Lakewood was founded on Mothers Day 1959 by Joels parents, John and Dodie Osteen. The first meeting was held in an abandoned feed store. John Osteen once said, Great it is to dream the dream, when you stand in youth by the starry stream. But a greater thing is to fight life through, and say at the end, the dream is true. The elder Osteen developed Lakewood into a body of approximately 6,000 members with an active television ministry, crusades, conferences, missionary support and food distribution. He died of a heart attack in 1999. Having produced his father's television program for years, Joel Osteen (who had never received formal religious training) suceeded him. Adopting the slogan Discover the Champion in You, by fall 2004 Lakewood was holding six weekly services in a 7,800 seat sanctuary. After a process involving much litigation, in late 2003 Lakewood Church acquired Compaq Center (former home of the NBAs Houston Rockets). Following over 70 million dollars in renovation it become the Lakewood International Center, with 16,000 seats for Lakewoods services and a media department for Joel Osteen Ministries. Osteen lives in the Houston area with his wife Victoria and two children, Jonathan and Alexandra. See also Source External links TV coverage
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|