“Dodie” Osteen, co-founder of Lakewood Church and mother of Pastor Joel Osteen, passed away peacefully at her home at the age of 91.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, July 31, 2025, by Joel Osteen through a message shared on social media.
An up-and-coming gospel minister speaking to The News Chronicle said of her passing, “You know it’s surreal that just last month, Jimmy Swaggart, the televangelist passed away and now Dodie.
She’s not very known in Nigeria even in Christian circles but these are people that prayed for the salvation of many souls across the world, and they were involved in wide philanthropic outreaches. Now they are gone to be with God.”
“It just tells you that one day we will all be nothing but a memory, this should guide us on how we choose to live our lives on Earth,” she added.
In his message, Pastor Osteen described his mother as the guiding presence of their family and congregation, stating that she died of natural causes.
Just two days ago, he had posted on X: “Take the pressure off. You don’t need people’s applause. Do what God put in your heart. He’s the one that matters.”
https://x.com/JoelOsteen/
Who was Dodie Osteen?
Dodie Osteen was widely known and respected within and beyond the church community. Alongside her husband, the late John Osteen, she helped establish Lakewood Church in 1959, which would grow into one of the largest Christian congregations in the United States.
She was affectionately called “Mama Dodie” by members of the church. Beyond her founding role, she was known for her personal story of surviving liver cancer, a diagnosis she received in the early 1980s.
After being told she had only weeks to live, she claimed complete healing through prayer and faith.
Her testimony became a central part of her ministry, and she often prayed individually for the sick during services. This story of recovery, which she also wrote about in her book, contributed significantly to her influence among Christians worldwide.
Under the leadership of her son Joel, Lakewood Church continued to expand after the passing of John Osteen in 1999. The church now holds services in English and Spanish, with an average weekly attendance of approximately 45,000 people at its campus in Houston. The church also reaches an international audience through broadcast and online platforms.
In January 2024, the church announced that it had fully repaid a $100 million loan used to renovate the former Compaq Center, now home to Lakewood Church. The announcement was made during a Sunday service.
Further details regarding her funeral will be shared by the family in due course.
