Oral Roberts

Oral Roberts was a prominent American Pentecostal televangelist and faith healer who founded the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and Oral Roberts University. He was known for his charismatic preaching style and his emphasis on the healing ministry, which was influenced by his association with Kathryn Kuhlman, Aimee Semple McPherson, and other notable Pentecostal leaders. Roberts' ministry was also shaped by his relationships with Billy Graham, Pat Robertson, and other prominent evangelical figures, including Jerry Falwell and Jim Bakker. His teachings were often broadcast on Trinity Broadcasting Network, Christian Broadcasting Network, and other major Christian television networks.

● Early Life and Education

Oral Roberts was born in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, to a family of Pentecostal holiness believers, and was raised in a devout Christian household. He attended Oklahoma Baptist University and later transferred to Phillips University, where he studied theology and developed his skills as a preacher. Roberts was ordained as a minister in the Pentecostal Holiness Church and began his ministry in the 1930s, preaching at revivals and camp meetings across the United States, including events sponsored by the Assemblies of God and the Church of God in Christ. He was influenced by the teachings of Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, and other notable Pentecostal leaders, and he often preached at Full Gospel churches and other Pentecostal congregations.

● Ministry and Career

Oral Roberts' ministry gained national attention in the 1940s and 1950s, as he began to emphasize the healing ministry and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He founded the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association in 1947 and started a monthly magazine, Abundant Life, which featured articles on faith healing, spiritual growth, and Christian living. Roberts' ministry was also marked by his association with other prominent Pentecostal leaders, including T.L. Osborn, Gordon Lindsay, and William Branham, and he often preached at crusades and revivals sponsored by the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International. He was a frequent guest on Christian television programs, including The 700 Club and Praise the Lord, and he appeared on secular networks, such as ABC, CBS, and NBC.

● Televangelism and Legacy

Oral Roberts was a pioneer in the field of televangelism, using television to broadcast his sermons and healing services to a wide audience. He founded the Oral Roberts University in 1965, which became a major center for Pentecostal education and training, and he established a medical school and a hospital on the university campus. Roberts' legacy extends beyond his own ministry, as he influenced a generation of Pentecostal and charismatic leaders, including Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, and Benny Hinn. His emphasis on faith healing and the baptism of the Holy Spirit helped to shape the Pentecostal and charismatic movements, and his ministry continues to be felt through the work of Christ for the Nations Institute, Rhema Bible Training College, and other Pentecostal institutions.

● Personal Life and Controversies

Oral Roberts was married to Evelyn Roberts for over 60 years, and they had four children together, including Richard Roberts, who succeeded him as the president of Oral Roberts University. However, Roberts' ministry was not without controversy, as he faced criticism for his emphasis on prosperity theology and his use of television to solicit donations. He was also involved in a number of high-profile lawsuits, including a lawsuit against University of California, Los Angeles and a lawsuit filed by a former Oral Roberts University professor. Despite these controversies, Roberts remained a respected figure in the Pentecostal and evangelical communities, and he continued to preach and teach until his death in 2009, often appearing on Christian television programs, such as TBN and Daystar Television Network.

● Later Life and Death

Oral Roberts died on December 15, 2009, at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential Pentecostal leaders of the 20th century. His funeral was attended by Pat Robertson, Benny Hinn, and other prominent Pentecostal and evangelical leaders, and he was remembered for his contributions to the Pentecostal movement and his emphasis on the healing ministry. Roberts' legacy continues to be felt through the work of Oral Roberts University and the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association, and his teachings remain popular among Pentecostal and charismatic audiences, who continue to watch his sermons and healing services on Christian television networks, such as God TV and LeSEA Broadcasting Corporation. Category:American Pentecostal leaders