The man of God and televangelist pioneer of television evangelism; the man who in 1963 established Oral Roberts University if Tulsa Oklahoma United States of America, Oral Roberts, is dead! He died on December 15, 2009 at a ripe old age of 91, of complications from pneumonia. May God receive his soul, Amen! He recognised early in his evangelism-life the power of telecommunication and cashed in on it very well and successfully too. He cleared the way for television ministries and brought a 'charismatic message of faith to many people around the world. With an evangelism career that spanned over one half of a century, Roberts used the power of the television and his special message of God's healing power, to build a multimillion-dollar religious ministry, including a university.
Oral Roberts took Pentecostalism to another height, brought it into the mainstream of America's religiosity; and also introduced 'prosperity gospel' preaching that God rewards the faithful with material success? Ten percent tithe followed and so also is money which his faithfuls brought in bag-fulls? He also pushed to the forefront the sowing of "Seed-Faith" theology, which espoused that those who give to God will get abundantly in return. His brand of evangelism involved faith-healing wherein faithfuls are prayed for the healing of mind, body and soul/spirit? However he denied being a faith-healer protesting that only God heals and that he was just a handmaid? In his rebuttal, Oral Roberts asserted, "God heals — I don't." He was also reputed to be the first evangelist to ever break into over a million flocks around the world using the medium of radio, television and publications; co-hosting his famous "Miracles Now" one hour religious programme. Roberts authored well over 120 books and conducted numerous crusades during his active days preaching and spreading the news. A man of great humility, he always credited whatever skills he had to God's making; stating that he was just a vessel in the hand of God. Borrowing Rush Limbaugh's phraseology, Oral Roberts skills were just 'on loan from God!' Affirming this, Oral Roberts once said, "when I become anointed with God's word, the spirit of the Lord builds up in me like a coiled spring. By the time I'm ready to go on, my mind is razor-sharp. I know exactly what I'm going to say and I'm feeling like a lion." Icheoku asks, can you beat that for preparation?
Icheoku says this man of God lived a very good and fruitful life in the service of mankind, while worshipping God. He left his large footprints in the sand of time during his 91 long years sojourn here on earth! Oral Roberts University in Tulsa Oklahoma USA also bears testimony to his legacy. Like all true men of God, God blessed him abundantly and also gave him a very long eventful life. Icheoku prays for the repose of his gentle soul and that the good works he did while here on earth shall be accordingly rewarded; while those he left unfinished shall find good hands to carry them on, finishing those that are finish-able and continuing those that are revolving and recurrent. May the Oral Roberts family find solace that their patriarch lived a good long meaningful life pleasing to God. Adieu OR, Mister evangelism personified!
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