Philipp Reinfeld, Houston / Media

"HISTORY"

Mother's Day, 1959.

The first service of Lakewood Church.

What were they thinking?

Since that humble Mother's Day beginning in 1959, Lakewood Church has grown in more ways than could ever have been imagined by that small group of believers. The numbers have changed, the buildings have changed, and the outreaches, ministries, and impact have changed. But one thing has always stayed the same - people are still the most important thing about Lakewood.

People with vision, and people who never give up.

People who want to make an impact on the world.

"THE NEW ERA"

What was God thinking?

We found out on October 3, 1999.

No one could have ever expected what has happened in the last two years. Under the leadership of Pastor Joel and Victoria Osteen, Lakewood's growth has exploded - and in the process, changed everything people normally think about "church".

So many people began coming, that in just two years, Lakewood added two more services. Our media ministry has expanded to include more coverage throughout North America and the world, and our outreaches, programs, and ministries are touching more lives than ever before.

In fact - we have already expanded to the point where our current facilities are limiting our ability to reach more people.

But this situation is not new for Lakewood. At every stage of growth throughout the years, we've pushed our current facilities to the limits. We've expanded only when every other alternative was exhausted. And even when we ran out of options - we knew God still had a plan…

That plan was revealed last year when the Compaq Center became available for a long term lease.

But it was not without struggle. For a year and a half, Lakewood had to compete against a major corporation to obtain the property. The odds were incredible, and after months of intense prayer, serious preparation, and strategic planning, the decision was announced at a Houston City Council meeting: The lease for the Compaq Center goes to Lakewood

"THE VISION "

In the year 2004, The Lakewood International Center will be one of the largest ministry facilities in the country, and it will be located in the fourth largest city and the second busiest intersection in America.

Jesus brought the gospel into the marketplace, the village square - everywhere people gathered, and The Lakewood International Center will become the "village square" of Houston. With more than 2 million people currently attending events each year, there is hardly a more visible or familiar landmark in the city. Its location alone will allow us to present a message of hope to more people than any outreach in the history of Houston.

Today, it is a sports and concert arena. At the Compaq Center, millions of people have watched the most gifted sports figures and entertainers in America. Its history has been one of excellence, crowning champions in the world of sports.

And continuing in that great and awesome tradition, The Lakewood International Center will become a place that will crown "Champions in Life".

Ladies and gentlemen, we present "The Lakewood International Center ".

The Lakewood International Center will become a focal point for the entire city of Houston. The ice rink and basketball facilities will remain open for families and city leagues. Concerts, sporting events, family conferences, conventions, business workshops, receptions and personal growth seminars will bring in people from all races, backgrounds, and walks of life.

Our goal is to create the most functional and complete facility of its kind in the United States. With a main arena that will seat 16,000 people, The Lakewood International Center will allow us to accommodate larger performances, productions and services, while providing facilities that will expand our existing inspirational, educational, health, and spiritual programs for the people of this city.

Lakewood's 43-year legacy to the people of Houston is one of service. Service to God, but just as important - service to Man. In continuing that great tradition, The Lakewood International Center will become the main campus of a global outreach where an estimated 100,000 people each week can participate in a multitude of services and opportunities.

The Lakewood International Center, with an 16,000 seat Sports and Concert Arena, will provide a world-class venue for entertainment, personal enrichment and family growth. The International Broadcast and Production Studio will take programs, and seminars throughout the world via television, radio, books, tapes and the internet. Our Health and Wellness Center will provide back- to-school programs while assisting the community with personal fitness and health related issues. A Dining and Retail Plaza will be a gathering place for surrounding businesses and provide a variety of resources to our congregation. Lakewood's Conference and Convention Center will attract organizations from around the world and present programs and seminars that will meet the diverse needs of an international city. And that's only the beginning, The Lakewood International Center will be a gathering place for thousands from all around the world… boldly encompassing community outreaches that will touch millions of people in their relationships, education, careers, health, and finances.

We've already begun developing our plans for the new facility, and are working now with nationally recognized architects and designers across the country to make our dream a reality.

The Lakewood International Center.

Reaching a new generation in the computer age will take a greater understanding of how to use global technology, to reach this culture.

It has always been Lakewood's destiny to be on the front lines, and our greatest opportunity stands before us.

Never in our history have we had a greater opportunity to make an impact on the nations of the earth… Will you be part of history? Will you take a stand? Will you, speak to nations?

"THE FUTURE "

John Osteen was a pioneer. In the same tradition of the visionary men and women who opened the American West, Pastor Osteen was one of the first Christian leaders in this country to expand the boundaries of radio and television to proclaim the gospel.

But when John Osteen passed away, many thought that vision had come to an end. Even his son Joel, who had produced the program for nearly 20-years felt the future of Lakewood and its television ministry, was uncertain.

Now, at a new dawn in the history of Lakewood, and with a mandate to take this encouraging message of hope where no man has gone before, we are unveiling a dramatic new television outreach - an opportunity like few others in the history of Christian media.

Lakewood is currently being broadcast nationally on the ABC-Family Channel, Black Entertainment Television, the PAX-TV Network, Trinity Broadcasting and the Daystar Satellite Networks. But on Easter Sunday 2002, the boundaries of our ministry explode. Through a remarkable deal with the Nation's Top Television Networks, the Lakewood Broadcast will be seen every Sunday morning on top secular network stations in the 25 largest markets in America. These 25 new Network Affiliates reach into over half of all American homes.

These stations, combined with our existing media, allows the ministry of Lakewood to communicate to 90% of American Households, to a potential audience of more than 225 million - - Reaching into the secular marketplace - - Spreading the life changing message hope found in Jesus Christ - - Touching the lives of millions.

Does the media make a difference? Listen to these comments from our viewers:

Michelle writes: I have experienced both physical and emotional abuse, and although the physical wounds have healed, the emotional wounds were still there. When Pastor Joel prayed, I felt such a weight removed, and for the first time in my life… I am Free!

Bruce was an atheist who discovered God's love through the program.

Tim had been fighting depression, he writes: As I watched your service you described exactly the way I was feeling. At that moment I felt the presence of God and all at once I had peace for the first time in my life.

April wrote that she was considering suicide: Thank you for saving my life. Without watching your service on television, my children would not have a mother today!

And the letters, faxes, and e-mails continue… from all walks of life, from every corner of the earth!

What does the future hold? In eternity, there is no past, present, or future - only now, and now is where Lakewood lives.

In the now we are making a difference in the city of Houston…

In the now we are reaching a new generation …

In the now we are changing the world…

The Lakewood International Center is facing the dawn of a new era, and the realization of a dream.

In the Old Testament, Moses was God's great leader who led His people from their bondage in Egypt. Moses demonstrated miraculous things and is considered the greatest prophet in the Bible.

But it was Joshua, and a new generation that actually took God's people into the Promised Land - a new generation with a new vision.

The greatest challenge in the history of Lakewood is before us. We can stay where we are, or we can move ahead into a "promised land" where our vision for ministry can sweep this world.

John Osteen understood the power of a dream:

And now a new generation has embraced that vision.

The apostle Paul said: "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known…"

Lakewood has always been a leader, pushing the boundaries of ministry to take a life-changing message to those without hope.

This is not a typical destination, but Lakewood is not a typical church.

The Kingdom of God calls us to crown champions. To raise up people who can conquer their circumstances, overcome their past, and discover the champion inside.

The Lakewood International Center - the championship dream is within our grasp - and now is the time for you to make a difference…

Texas: Baptistengemeinde nimmt McDonald's-Filiale in Betrieb

Hamburger und Pommes als Bestandteil einer missionarischen Gemeindearbeit

H o u s t o n - Als vermutlich erste und einzige Baptistengemeinde weltweit haben die Baptisten im Stadtteil Brentwood in der texanischen Großstadt Houston jetzt eine eigene McDonald's-Filiale eröffnet. Das berichtet die Tageszeitung "USA Today" in einem Beitrag über sogenannte "Mega-Gemeinden", von denen es in den USA rund 700 gibt. Als Mega-Gemeinden gelten Kirchen mit mehr als 2000 Gottesdienstbesuchern pro Woche. Die "Brentwood Baptist Church" in Houston hat mehr als 10.000 Mitglieder, die auch regelmäßig die Gemeindeveranstaltungen besuchen. Doch sie will den Angaben zufolge weiter wachsen. Weil es in der Nachbarschaft der Gemeinde jedoch kaum Restaurants gab, kam die Gemeindeleitung auf die Idee, auf dem fast 45 Hektar großen Kirchengelände einen Schnellimbiss zu eröffnen. Das McDonald's-Restaurant ist dabei Bestandteil der missionarischen Gemeindearbeit: Denn so sollen nach Angaben der Gemeindeleitung neue Interessenten an die Gemeinde herangeführt werden. Weil die Erlöse in die gemeinnützige Jugendarbeit der Gemeinde fließen, können Pommes und Hamburger sogar preisgünstiger als in anderen McDonald's-Restaurants angeboten werden, da die traditionelle amerikanische Verkaufssteuer nicht erhoben wird. Zwischen dem deutschen Bund Evangelisch-Freikirchlicher Gemeinden (Baptisten- und Brüdergemeinden) und den Baptisten in Texas gibt es eine offizielle Partnerschaft.

“Bleiben Sie dran”

brandeins April 2004

“Wir dürfen nicht in Gefahren hineintaumeln, die akuter und gefährlicher sind als Kernenergie.”

(Helmut Schmidt zur Einführung des Privatfernsehens, 1983)

...Politik, Kultur, Werbung, Unterhaltungsindustrie, Medien - kein Feld, das durch den Markteintritt des kommerziellen Fernsehens nicht verändert worden wäre. (Und was ist mit Architektur/ Städtebau?)

..., bedeutet das nichts anderes, als dass in Deutschland wesentlich mehr Zeit damit verbracht wird, fernzusehen als zum Beispiel zu arbeiten oder zu lernen.

Die Multiplikation der Kanäle fragmentiert die Öffentlichkeit. Auch die Aufmerksamkeit zerfällt in immer kleinere Partikel:...

Mit der Aufsplitterung der Lebenswelten werden die Mini-Programme für die Werbung interessant...

Medienplaner Paul Vogler: "Emotionen verkaufen sich per TV am besten. An Wirkung und Nutzungsintensität wird es von keinem andren Medium erreicht."

Bernd Michael, Europa-Chef bei Grey, Deutschlands zweitgrösster Werbeargentur:"Die Basisarchitektur einer Marke wird immer noch über das Fernsehen gebaut."

Ein Schlagwort, mit dem die Wissenschaftler vor zwei Jahrzehnten den Erfolg des Privatfernsehens erklärten, hieß. Ent-Auratisierung des Mediums. Der Verlust des heiligen.