John Osteen was an American pastor and the founder of the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. He began his ministry in the 1950s and became known for his charismatic preaching style and positive messages. Osteen led the church for over 40 years, growing it from a small congregation to one of the largest churches in the United States. In addition to his pastoral work, John Osteen was also an author and television personality. His sermons were broadcast on television, reaching millions of viewers. He was the father of Joel Osteen, who succeeded him as the senior pastor of Lakewood Church after his passing in 1999.