SAN ANTONIO - Pastor John Hagee, the internationally known radio/TV evangelist, was recovering after undergoing open heart surgery. A spokesman for Hagee's Cornerstone Church, Juda Engelmayer, said the successful procedure was done Thursday at a San Antonio hospital.

Engelmayer also told the San Antonio Express-News that the 68-year-old minister is expected to be away from the pulpit for about a month.

His 30-year-old son, associate pastor Matt Hagee, will take over church operations until the elder minister returns.

Engelmayer said a routine checkup revealed a need for the heart surgery and Hagee "came through great." The name of the hospital was not disclosed.

Hagee founded the nondenominational, evangelical Cornerstone Church. According to its Web site, has more than 19,000 active members. Hagee also founded Christians United for Israel.