By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-18 21:20:39 | Updated at 2026-08-20 03:19:44
1 day ago
A popular pastor-turned-podcaster who has encountered criticism for his patriarchal views has partnered with a prominent conservative media operation in hopes of hitting the big leagues.
Lakepointe megachurch pastor Josh Howerton announced the professional partnership with The Blaze in a video posted to X last week.
He framed the past three years of the 'Live Free with Josh Howerton' podcast, at least initially, as 'a dumb test drive.'
'I planned to try it for one sermon series to help people get into the Word a little more, and it just, lightning in a bottle, rocket ship off the pad, became something that we really didn't expect,' Howerton said of the series he launched in 2023.
'And that's because of you.'
The show now regularly receives hundreds of thousands of views per episode.
Howerton, Lakepointe's lead pastor, has amassed more than 6 million followers online.
He humbly told fans he was still no more than 'a glorified youth pastor.'
Lakepointe megachurch pastor Josh Howerton has announced a professional partnership with The Blaze after three years of podcasting
Howerton posted a video to X to explain the partnership, saying it will allow him to expand his already sizable reach
That said, Howerton said the Blaze deal would help compensate for the many things he 'didn't know.'
He pointed to problems dealing with 'distribution and all the logistics and stuff' that comes with running an outfit so large.
'I don't have time or wherewithal to understand that stuff and mess with that stuff,' Howerton said.
On YouTube, Howerton's videos at times record viewership that rivals that of The Joe Rogan Experience.
Howerton warned that his content won't change, though – just the scope of the operation.
'I'm a pastor and not a podcaster, and that will always be the case,' he said.
The Blaze – which was founded by Glenn Beck and is also partnered with Steven Crowder – will carry the pastor's content, which will still be available on his social media and Apple and Spotify feeds, Howerton said.
Topics touched on during his streamed sermons and round-table discussions include spirituality and liturgical texts.
The Dallas-based preacher took over for former lead Lakepointe pastor Steve Stroope in 2020. He started the 'Live Free with Josh Howerton' podcast not long after
Former members of his congregation have reportedly raised concerns about what some say is misogynistic messages hidden in the Texan's sermons. Lakepointe - with an average weekly attendance in the five digits - is one of the biggest church's in the US
'Josh has built something rare: a podcast with genuine chart momentum and a growing audience that’s actively looking for clarity on faith and culture,' Blaze Media's Tyler Cardon said in a statement.
'"Live Free" fits naturally into our lineup, and we think our distribution can help Josh reach even more people hungry for the truth.'
Howerton, however, has had his fair share of controversy.
In January 2026, for instance, a sermon preaching the purported characteristics of a 'godly wife' stated that women with 'noble character' will do whatever they can to satisfy their husbands. The message was met with criticism.
During another at a 2024 wedding, Howerton advised women to 'stand where [your husband] tells you to stand, wear what he tells you to wear and do what he tells you to do.'
Howerton later defended the remarks after footage of them went viral, maintaining it was part of a joke and taken out of context. He apologized for his choice of wording.
Former members of his Dallas-based congregation have also raised concerns about his misogynistic messages and increasingly political rhetoric, Chron reported in 2024.
The outlet formerly associated with the Houston Chronicle reported that hundreds of former Lakepointe congregants had left the church after Howerton took over for former lead pastor Steve Stroope upon his retirement in 2020.
Howerton was also one of the religious leaders to visit the White House for a tour led by Trump's personal pastor, who recently went viral for comparing the president to 'Jesus.' He's seen posing with 'the president's Tesla,' he told Facebook followers at the time
Howerton was also one of the religious leaders to visit the White House for a tour led by Trump's personal pastor Paula White, who went viral earlier this year for comparing the President to 'Jesus.'
'It shocked me how many Jesus-loving, church-attending, Bible-believing genuine Christians are scattered throughout our government right now,' Howerton wrote on Facebook at the time.
Live Free with Josh Howerton is currently ranked at number 2 in Apple Podcasts' religion and spirituality category and number 39 overall.
