John Hagee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Hagee
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Hagee in Washington, D.C., 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. He founded John Hagee Ministries, which telecasts to the United States and Canada. He is also the founder and chairman of the Christian Zionist organization Christians United for Israel, the largest Zionist organization in America.
Hagee has attracted controversy over his comments on the Catholic Church, Jewish people and Islam, and promotion of the blood moon prophecy.
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Early life
Hagee was born in Baytown, Texas on April 12, 1940. He received a BSc from the Trinity University, and an MSc from the University of North Texas in mechanical engineering. He has a son, Matt Hagee, who is also a pastor.
Career
Hagee founded Trinity Church in San Antonio, Texas in 1966.
Hagee founded The Church at Castle Hills in 1975. The church grew in size and following two expansions, its second sanctuary was named Cornerstone Church. The church has adopted Pentecostal beliefs, including biblical literalism, speaking in tongues, divine healing, and the prosperity gospel. Beginning in 1981 in San Antonio, following Operation Opera, Hagee has organized "A Night to Honor Israel" events aiming to show support for the State of Israel.
Hagee has been politically active. In 1968, he endorsed Democrat George Wallace in his bid for president. His advocacy included organizing and mobilizing a youth movement called "Wallace Youth".
In 1996, Hagee spoke on behalf of Republican presidential primary candidate Alan Keyes, who in 2004 lost the U.S. Senate election in Illinois to Barack Obama. In 2002, Hagee endorsed the conservative State Representative John Shields in the latter's unsuccessful bid for the Republican primary for the District 25 seat in the Texas Senate.
On February 7, 2006, Hagee and some 400 leaders from across the Christian and Jewish communities formed Christians United for Israel (CUFI). This lobbies members of the United States Congress, using a biblical stance for promoting Christian Zionism. Around that time he received death threats for his activism on behalf of the State of Israel and hired bodyguards for protection.
In 2008, Hagee endorsed Senator John McCain in the presidential contest against Barack Obama. After Hagee's endorsement of McCain, a furor arose over statements made by Hagee that were perceived by some as anti-Catholic and antisemitic. Following Hagee's remarks, McCain publicly distanced himself from Hagee.
Hagee was the primary funding source for the Israeli Zionist group Im Tirtzu, until he cut ties with the organization in 2013.
In 2016, Hagee endorsed Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.
In 2023, Hagee endorsed Nikki Haley in the 2024 Republican Primary.
Views
Hagee has stated that he believes the Bible commands Christians to support the State of Israel.
In 2007, Hagee stated that he does not believe in global warming, and he also said that he sees the Kyoto Protocol as a "conspiracy" aimed at manipulating the U.S. economy.
Hagee has been criticized for statements pertaining to Jews, the Catholic Church, and Islam. Some Jewish leaders, such as Reform Rabbi Eric Yoffie have criticized Hagee for being "extremist" on Israeli policy and for disparaging other faiths.
Blood moon prophecy
Hagee, along with Mark Biltz, created the blood moon prophecy, which they promoted in a 2013 book. The two men claimed that a tetrad which began with the April 2014 lunar eclipse was a sign of the end times as described in the Bible and the tetrad ended with the lunar eclipse on September 27–28, 2015. Hagee and Biltz's claims gained media attention. The prediction was criticized by scientists and other Christians.
