History of Lakewood Church in Timeline
Lakewood Church, situated in Houston, Texas, is a prominent evangelical Christian megachurch known for its massive congregation, drawing approximately 45,000 attendees weekly. Led by senior pastor Joel Osteen and co-pastor Victoria Osteen, the church conducts multiple services in English and Spanish within its 16,800-seat building, a former sports arena previously known as the Compaq Center.
May 10, 1959: Founding of Lakewood Church
On Mother's Day, May 10, 1959, John Osteen and his wife, Dodie, founded Lakewood Church, initially named Lakewood Baptist Church, in a humble tent in Houston.
1961: John Osteen's Departure and Marvin Crow's Leadership
In 1961, John Osteen left Lakewood Church to pursue mission work. In his absence, Marvin Crow assumed the role of pastor.
1969: John Osteen's Return as Pastor
In 1969, John Osteen returned to Lakewood Church and resumed his position as pastor after a period of missionary work.
1972: Construction of a New Church Building
Lakewood Church broke ground on a new building with a seating capacity of seven hundred in 1972, reflecting its growing congregation.
1979: Rising Prominence and Television Ministry
By 1979, Lakewood Church's attendance had surpassed five thousand, and it was gaining recognition among Pentecostal and charismatic circles. John and Dodie Osteen started a weekly television program that reached viewers in one hundred countries.
February 15, 1987: Groundbreaking for a New Sanctuary
On February 15, 1987, Lakewood Church held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new, larger sanctuary with a seating capacity of eight thousand.
April 1988: Completion of the New Sanctuary
In April 1988, Lakewood Church's new eight-thousand-seat sanctuary was completed, marking a significant step in its growth.
January 23, 1999: John Osteen's Death and Joel Osteen's Succession
John Osteen passed away on January 23, 1999. His son, Joel Osteen, took over as pastor in October of that year.
2001: Lakewood Church as a Shelter During Tropical Storm Allison
When Tropical Storm Allison caused widespread flooding in Houston in 2001, Lakewood Church stepped up and provided shelter to around five thousand displaced people.
2002: Establishment of Iglesia Lakewood
Lakewood Church established Iglesia Lakewood, its Hispanic ministry, in 2002, led by Pastor Marcos Witt and his wife, Miriam Witt.
2003: Lease Agreement for the Compaq Center
In late 2003, to accommodate its rapidly growing congregation under Joel Osteen's leadership, Lakewood Church entered into a long-term lease agreement with the city of Houston for the Compaq Center, a former sports arena.
July 16, 2005: Relocation to the Compaq Center
Lakewood Church formally relocated to the Compaq Center on July 16, 2005. This much larger venue, with 16,800 seats, effectively doubled the church's capacity.
October 14, 2007: 60 Minutes Segment and Criticism from Michael Horton
On October 14, 2007, the news program 60 Minutes aired a segment on Joel Osteen, during which Reformed theologian Michael Horton criticized Osteen's message as heresy, arguing that it centers on human desires rather than God.
2007: Expansion of Television Ministry and Night of Hope Events
By 2007, Lakewood Church was spending nearly $30 million annually on its television ministry, which had expanded to reach a global audience of approximately 7 million viewers weekly. In addition to broadcasts on religious networks, the church's sermons were aired on secular channels. Lakewood also launched its 'Night of Hope' events, hosting large Christian services in arenas and stadiums across America.
March 31, 2010: Purchase of the Former Compaq Center
On March 31, 2010, the Houston City Council voted to sell the former Compaq Center, now Lakewood Church's home, to the church.
September 2012: Leadership Transition in Hispanic Ministry
Danilo and Gloriana Montero became the associate pastors for Lakewood Church's Hispanic ministry, Iglesia Lakewood, in September 2012.
April 21, 2013: Joel Osteen's Clarification on Prosperity Gospel
Joel Osteen addressed claims about his association with the prosperity gospel in an interview with The Christian Post on April 21, 2013. He clarified that he believes God wants people to be blessed in all areas of life, including finances, but his focus is on broader prosperity, encompassing health, relationships, and peace of mind.
2014: Theft of Funds
In 2014, Lakewood Church experienced a theft where $600,000 in cash and checks were stolen from a safe.
2016: Launch of Mobilizing Medical Missions Conference
Lakewood Church launched the Mobilizing Medical Missions Conference in 2016 to train doctors for medical missions, demonstrating its commitment to global outreach and service.
March 2017: Report on Lakewood Church's Finances
The Houston Chronicle published a report indicating that Lakewood Church's income for the year ending in March 2017 was $89 million, primarily from donations. The report highlighted that only a small fraction of the church's budget was allocated to charitable causes.
2017: Hurricane Harvey and Lakewood Church Controversy
In 2017, Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church faced criticism for not initially opening their large facility as a shelter for those displaced by Hurricane Harvey. While the church cited "severe flooding" as the reason, photos and videos suggested otherwise, leading to accusations that the church was not fulfilling its moral obligation. Osteen later refuted these claims, stating the church had always been open and eventually opened its doors as a shelter on August 29th.
August 15, 2018: Lakewood Church Day Proclamation
On August 15, 2018, the City of Houston acknowledged Lakewood Church's contributions to post-Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts. The city proclaimed "Lakewood Church Day," recognizing the church's support for over 1,150 families through financial aid, building materials, and volunteer efforts. This recognition highlighted Lakewood's commitment to the community's rebuilding process.
December 3, 2021: Discovery of Cash and Checks
National news reported on December 3, 2021, that a plumber doing repairs at Lakewood Church had discovered cash and checks hidden inside a wall. These were suspected to be connected to an earlier incident in 2014 involving a theft of $600,000 from the church.
2021: Disaster Relief Efforts
In 2021, Lakewood Church actively participated in disaster relief efforts, including providing shelter during Hurricane Ida and the 2021 Texas Freeze, as well as organizing food distribution and blood drives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
January 14, 2024: Loan Repayment for Campus Renovation
Joel Osteen announced on January 14, 2024, that Lakewood Church successfully paid off the $100 million loan it had taken to renovate the former Compaq Center into its current church campus.
February 11, 2024: Shooting Incident at Lakewood Church
Tragically, on February 11, 2024, a woman with a history of mental health issues entered Lakewood Church with her 7-year-old son and opened fire with an AR-15 rifle. The woman was killed in the exchange of gunfire, and her son was critically injured.