Joel Osteen
Joel Osteen was born in Houston, Texas, and is one of six children of John Osteen and Dolores ("Dodie") Pilgrim. His father, John Osteen, was a former Southern Baptist pastor who founded Lakewood Church (of which Osteen is the current senior pastor) in the back of an old feed store.
Joel Osteen was born in Houston, Texas, and is one of six children of John Osteen and Dolores ("Dodie") Pilgrim. His father, John Osteen, was a former Southern Baptist pastor who founded Lakewood Church (of which Osteen is the current senior pastor) in the back of an old feed store.
John Osteen was deeply involved with the Full Gospel Businessmen's International (FGBMI) and the "Latter Rain" version of William Branham's "Message" that produced numerous splinter groups such as Jim Jones and Peoples Temple. When John's ministry was suffering due to his Latter Rain affiliation, Demos Shakarian stepped in to help fund Osteen and funded his first tent revival.[1] Osteen frequented Life Tabernacle, where Branham's business entities were created.[2] John Osteen was a familiar face in Branham's healing revivals and announced in the meetings. William Branham referred to him as "Brother Osteen from Texas."
"Now, we deem this a great privilege to be here with you, tonight, this time of fellowship just prior the convention of the Business Men. That’s, the convention will start this coming Thursday, down at the Ramada. It’s on East Van Buren Street. And we certainly invite you all down. There’ll be some wonderful speakers in the convention. And Brother Velmer Gardner is one that I know of, and then I think they have some of the businessmen that’s going to speak. And I—I believe Jim Brown was one of them, and Dr. Reed, and, course, Brother Rose is always there, Brother Osteen from Texas."[3]
Joel Osteen was two years old when William Branham died, but appears to have been strongly influenced by his father's teaching of the latter rain version of William Branham's "Message". Joel continues to use William Branham's "Latter Rain" theology as a foundation for his belief system, teaching that the "Latter Rain" is the spiritual outpouring of gifts and talents in the church today. This is an idea that was fundamental to the Latter Rain revival of which Branham and his campaign managers taught as the "Latter Rain Message" and which Branham's "Message" cult following is named after.
The latter rain is God blessing you because you using your gifts and talents, making the most of your opportunities you’re doing your part. That’s the latter rain.[4]
Joel's father John also worked with William Branham to petition the stay of execution for Leslie Douglas Ashley,[5] a transsexual prostitute who, with Caroline Lima, murdered Fred Tomes during a three-day orgy.