Life and Career
John Hagee was born in Baytown, Texas, to the former Vada Mildred Swick and the Reverend William Bythel Hagee. He graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1964. He was on a football scholarship and appeared on the Academic Dean's List. Hagee received a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of North Texas in Denton in 1966 and completed his theological training at Southwestern Assemblies of God University with a Diploma in Theology in Waxahachie, south of Dallas. Hagee descends from a long line of Anabaptist Mennonite pastors,a sect known for espousing doctrines of pacifism, aversion to war and forgiveness of enemies). In 1989, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2005, he received another Honorary Doctorate from Netanya Academic College in Israel. Hagee served on the Oral Roberts University Board of Regents from 1989 to January 2008.
Hagee married his the former Diana Castro, a member of Trinity Church, on April 12, 1976. According to both biographies at John Hagee Ministries, Hagee and his wife Diana have five children and eight grandchildren. Matthew Hagee, John's son, is the executive pastor of Cornerstone Church.
Hagee founded a new church, The Church at Castle Hills, on May 11, 1975, Mother's Day. The church started with 25 members, but within two years, had to build a new sanctuary seating 1,600 people. The church continued to grow; on October 4, 1987, Hagee dedicated a 5,000-seat sanctuary and named it Cornerstone Church. Dr. W. A. Criswell, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, anointed Hagee and Diana before the congregation.
Today, Trinity Church is located 7.3 mi (11.7 km) from Hagee's Cornerstone Church on the same stretch of highway in San Antonio.
Hagee has written a number of best-selling books and is a Southern Gospel recording artist. He, Matthew, Christina, and Sandy often travel together as the "Hagee Family Singers."
On his telecast of December 14, 2008, Hagee disclosed to the audience that he had recently undergone successful heart bypass surgery.
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