Church in 1959 in Houston, Texas, and developed Lakewood into a body of approximately 15,000 members with active ministries in televangelism, conferences, missionary support, and food distribution. He hosted the weekly John Osteen television program for 16 years, reaching millions in the U.S. and in many other countries with his preaching. On January 23, 1999, he died after a heart attack at the age of 77. His youngest son Joel Osteen later became the pastor, who has expanded his father's church. Lakewood now receives over 52,000 in attendance and reaches millions of people around the world by television and online. References External links Obituary from the Houston Chronicle Faith Builders' article on John and Dodie Osteen 1921 births 1999 deaths John Brown University alumni Oral Roberts University alumni Nondenominational Christianity People from Fort Worth, Texas People from Houston People from Paris, Texas American evangelicals