John Hagee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Hagee
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Hagee in Washington, D.C., in July 2007
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John Charles Hagee
April 12, 1940 Baytown, Texas, U.S.
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| Education | BSc, MSc |
| Alma mater | Trinity University University of North Texas |
| Occupation | Pastor, author |
| Organization | John Hagee Ministries |
| Spouse(s) | Martha Downing (1960-1975) Diana Castro (1976-current) |
John Charles Hagee (born April 12, 1940) is an American pastor and televangelist. A televangelist is a pastor who preaches on television. Hagee started John Hagee Ministries, which broadcasts his sermons to the United States and Canada.
He is also the founder of Christians United for Israel. This is a Christian Zionist group, which means it is made up of Christians who believe in supporting the nation of Israel. It is the largest group of its kind in America.
Hagee is known for his strong opinions, and some of his comments about other religions have caused controversy.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Hagee was born in Baytown, Texas, on April 12, 1940. For college, he first went to Southwestern Assemblies of God University. He then attended Trinity University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.
Later, he studied at the University of North Texas. He received a master's degree in educational administration in 1966.
Hagee has been married twice. He married Martha Downing in 1960, and they divorced in 1975. In 1976, he married Diana Castro. He has a son named Matt Hagee, who is also a pastor.
Career as a Pastor
In 1966, Hagee started his first church, called Trinity Church, in San Antonio, Texas. He left this church in 1975 after his divorce.
That same year, Hagee founded a new church called The Church at Castle Hills. The church became very popular and grew quickly. It moved to a larger building and was renamed Cornerstone Church.
The church follows Pentecostal beliefs. This includes believing that the Bible is completely true, that God can heal people, and that people can be blessed with wealth.
Support for Israel
Starting in 1981, Hagee began holding events called "A Night to Honor Israel." These events are meant to show support for the country of Israel.
In 2006, Hagee helped create the group Christians United for Israel (CUFI). CUFI encourages members of the United States Congress to support Israel. Because of his strong support for Israel, Hagee said he received threats and hired bodyguards for protection.
Political Activities
Hagee has been involved in politics for many years. When a person or group publicly supports a political candidate, it is called an endorsement.
- 1968: He endorsed George Wallace for president.
- 1996: He supported Alan Keyes in the Republican presidential primary.
- 2008: He endorsed Senator John McCain for president. However, McCain later distanced himself from Hagee after some of Hagee's past comments caused controversy.
- 2016: He endorsed Donald Trump for president.
- 2023: He endorsed Nikki Haley in the Republican presidential primary.
Controversial Views
John Hagee is known for his outspoken and often controversial views on many topics. His statements have sometimes been criticized by leaders of other faiths.
Comments on Catholicism
Hagee made several claims about the Catholic Church and history that caused upset. He claimed that Adolf Hitler's background was connected to Catholicism and that the Church supported the Nazis. He also blamed the Church for the Crusades.
The president of the Catholic League, a group that defends the Church, strongly disagreed with these comments. After talking with Catholic leaders, Hagee wrote a letter in 2008 to apologize for any hurtful comments he had made. The apology was accepted.
Comments on Jewish People
Hagee believes the Bible teaches that Christians must support Israel. However, some of his other statements have been criticized by Jewish leaders.
He once made a controversial claim that the terrible suffering of Jewish people throughout history, including the Holocaust, was connected to what he called disobedience to God. He also suggested that God allowed the Holocaust to happen to encourage Jewish people to return to Israel. These comments were widely seen as hurtful and offensive.
Comments on Other Topics
- Islam: Hagee has said that he believes Islam encourages violence and that the Quran tells Muslims to harm Christians and Jews.
- Hurricane Katrina: In 2006, he claimed that Hurricane Katrina was a punishment from God because of a planned gay pride parade in New Orleans.
- Blood Moon Prophecy: In 2013, Hagee co-wrote a book about the "blood moon prophecy." He claimed that a series of four lunar eclipses between 2014 and 2015 were a sign of the end of the world. Scientists pointed out that these types of eclipses are normal, and the prediction did not come true.
- Global Warming: In 2007, Hagee said he does not believe in global warming. He called international agreements to fight climate change a "conspiracy" to hurt the U.S. economy.
See also
In Spanish: John Hagee para niños
