Granville Oral Roberts, better known as Oral Roberts was a well-known Christian televangelist from America. He was among the first preachers to promote Prosperity Gospel Theology, which teaches that faith and donations can lead to financial and physical blessings.
During his prime, Roberts was one of the most recognised preachers in the United States. He established the Oral Roberts University and the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association. As one of the most influential religious leaders of the 20th century, Roberts focused mainly on seed-faith teachings. If you are eager to know more about his career story and how he led his life, give this post a read.
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Oral Roberts was born on 24th January 1918, in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of five children in his family. Coming from a Christian background, Robert’s parents were Claudia Priscilla Roberts and Ellis Melvin Roberts.
Roberts grew up in a poor family, and almost lost his life to tuberculosis at the age of 17. He completed his schooling at a local school, after which he attended Oklahoma Baptist University for two years. Later, he transferred to Phillips University, where he completed his education life.
Oral Roberts started his career as a travelling faith healer in the 1930s. Fast forward to 1945, he quit his role as pastor in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Later that summer, while preaching at a camp meeting in North Carolina, Roberts was invited by Robert E. Lee to become the pastor of a small church in Toccoa, Georgia. After working there for a year, Roberts returned to Shawnee.
Until 1947, Roberts worked as a part-time preacher in Oklahoma, struggling to make ends meet. Later, he left his role as a pastor in the Pentecostal Holiness Church and started the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association. He travelled across the country and internationally, holding faith-healing events. The same year, he launched a monthly magazine called Healing Waters to promote his meetings. Throughout his career, Roberts held over 300 crusades on various continents and prayed for over 2 million people.
Roberts rose to national fame after he decided to use television to spread his teachings. He was one of the first religious leaders to do so and reach a wider audience. He launched his television program, Oral Roberts Healing Hour, which featured his healing services, and testimonies from people who claimed to have been cured of illnesses. The show reached millions of viewers across the U.S. and made Roberts famous.
Oral Roberts had a strong relationship with his wife, Evelyn Lutman. The two got married in 1938 and remained married until his wife passed away in 2005. Together, the couple had four children.
Roberts’ journey came to an end on 15th December 2009, the year he died of pneumonia. At that time, he was settled in Newport Beach, California.
By the time of his death, Oral Roberts had amassed a significant net worth of around $117 million. This wealth came from years of ministry work, media ventures, and donations from followers. He also earned a good amount from healing crusades and book sales.
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