John Osteen
John Osteen, father of Joel Osteen, was a Houston minister whose early ministry intersected with the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International, Demos Shakarian, William Branham's healing revival network, and the Latter Rain-influenced circles that also produced more extreme offshoots such as Jim Jones and Peoples Temple; through Shakarian's financial support, his appearances in Branham-related meetings, his connections to Life Tabernacle, and his participation with Branham in efforts such as the Leslie Douglas Ashley clemency petition, Osteen's career illustrates how mid-century Full Gospel, healing revival, business fellowship, and Message-adjacent networks helped shape later charismatic and prosperity-oriented ministries.
John Osteen is the father of Joel Osteen and 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]
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]
John Osteen also worked with William Branham to petition the stay of execution for Leslie Douglas Ashley,[4] a transsexual prostitute who, with Caroline Lima, murdered Fred Tomes during a three-day orgy.