Megachurch pastor Joel Osteen's mom, Dolores 'Dodie' Osteen, dies at 91
The Lakewood Church co-founder died "of natural causes, peacefully at her home,' the Houston-based pastor announced in a social media post on Wednesday, July 30.
"She was the beloved matriarch of Lakewood Church, an inspiration to millions of people around the world, and a faithful servant of God," Osteen, also a Christian author, wrote in the X post. "Known as 'Mama Dodie' to the entire Lakewood family, together, we celebrate her amazing life and lasting legacy."
USA TODAY has reached out to Lakewood Church.
Joel Osteen, 52, is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church, one of the largest churches in the U.S.
The evangelist took over the church after his father and the church's founder, John Osteen, died in 1999. From there, the church skyrocketed in attendance from about 5,000 people per week to as of recently nearly 45,000 weekly attendees.
His wife, Victoria Osteen, serves as co-pastor.
'His faith became sight': Megachurch pastor John MacArthur dead
Commenting on the post, Brian Houston, founding Pentecostal pastor of Hillsong Church in Australia, wrote, "Sad for us to hear but glorious for her. Your mom Miss Dodie was a giant in the faith."
"What a legacy she left. Beautiful woman of God in every way," non-denominational greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area-based 7 Hills Church Pastor Marcus Mecum also commented on X.
Baton Rouge Bethany Church Pastor Jonathan Stockstill wrote, "What a woman of faith. All our love to you, Joel, and the whole Osteen family. We are grieving her absence and yet celebrating the beautiful legacy she leaves behind.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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People interact using sign language during a church service at the Christian Mission for the Deaf in Lagos, Nigeria, Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sunday Alamba/AP Remi Akinremi, a pastor, preaches using sign language during a church service at the Christian Mission for the Deaf in Lagos, Nigeria, Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sunday Alamba/AP A member of the choir uses sign language during a church service at the Christian Mission for the Deaf in Lagos, Nigeria, Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sunday Alamba/AP Imoh Udoka, a pastor, preaches using sign language during a church service at the Christian Mission for the Deaf in Lagos, Nigeria, Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sunday Alamba/AP A woman reads the bible during a church service at the Christian Mission for the Deaf in Lagos, Nigeria, Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sunday Alamba/AP LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — It is like any other church in Nigeria 's megacity of Lagos. A lectern faces rows of plastic chairs. A biblical quote is written on a beam above. There is a music section, with a set of drums. Sash-wearing church wardens move around to enforce order. But it is also different. For hours, the only sounds are exclamations and thunderous bursts of drums, with their vibrations the cues for when to pray, kneel or respond to the preacher's calls for 'Hallelujah.' This is a church for deaf people in Somolu, a mixed-income suburb, where about 50 to 60 people worship weekly. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Imoh Udoka, a father of two children, has attended the church for 36 years. He was 9 years old when he contracted meningitis, losing his hearing as well as access to his faith. Most churches in Nigeria do not have accommodation for deaf people. Then Udoka, now a teacher of sign language, discovered the church via community outreach. 'Here in this church, we have access to worship God in our sign language,' he told The Associated Press. 'God also understands us' Remi Akinrenmi is one of the pastors. 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