Oral Roberts
Granville Oral Roberts (January 24, 1918 – December 15, 2009) was an American Charismatic Christian televangelist, who was one of the first to propagate Prosperity Gospel Theology. He was ordained in both the Pentecostal Holiness and United Methodist churches. He is considered one of the forerunners of the charismatic movement, and at the height of his career was one of the most recognized preachers in the US. He founded the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and Oral Roberts University.
Oral Roberts | |
|---|---|
| Born | Granville Oral Roberts January 24, 1918 Ada, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | December 15, 2009 (aged 91) |
| Nationality | Choctaw, American |
| Education | Oklahoma Baptist University |
| Occupation | Evangelist |
| Years active | 1947–1993 |
| Spouse |
Evelyn Lutman
(m. 1938; died 2005) |
| Children | 4, including Richard Roberts |
| Church | Pentecostal (Pentecostal Holiness Church), Methodist (United Methodist Church), Charismatic |
Offices held | Founder and President, Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association; Co-founder, President, and Chancellor, Oral Roberts University |
| Website | www |
One of the most well-known and controversial American religious leaders of the 20th century, his preaching emphasized seed-faith. His ministries reached millions of followers worldwide spanning a period of over six decades. His healing ministry and his bringing American Pentecostalism into the mainstream had the most impact, but he also pioneered televangelism, and laid the foundations of the prosperity gospel and abundant life teachings. The breadth and style of his ministry, including his widely publicized funding appeals, made him a consistent subject of contention among critics and supporters.