Examine individual changes

'{{About||the university|Oral Roberts University|the Pentecostal ministry|Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association}} {{Infobox clergy | name = Oral Roberts | image =Oral Roberts.jpg | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = {{birthdate|1918|01|24}} in [[Ada, Oklahoma]], U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2009|12|15|1918|01|24|}} in [[Newport Beach, California]], U.S. | church = [[Pentecostal]] | congregations = [[Pentecostal Holiness Church]];<br>[[United Methodist Church]] | offices_held = Founder and President, [[Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association]];<br>Co-founder, President, and Chancellor, [[Oral Roberts University]] | salary = $161,872 from [[Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4272|title=Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association|publisher=[[Charity Navigator]]|date=October 2007|first=|last=|accessdate=2007-10-05}}</ref> |spouse=Evelyn Lutman Roberts; married 1938–2005 (her death) |children=Ronald Roberts (deceased)<br>[[Richard Roberts (evangelist)|Richard Roberts]]<br>Rebecca Nash (deceased)<br>Roberta Potts |parents=Ellis Melvin Roberts<br>Claudius Priscilla Roberts<ref name="biography">{{cite web|title=Oral Roberts|url=http://www.oralroberts.com/oralroberts/|publisher=[[Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association|Oral Roberts Ministries]]|year=2009|accessdate=May 27, 2011}}</ref><br>(nee Irwin) |website = http://www.oralroberts.com/oralroberts/ }} '''Granville "Oral" Roberts''' (January 24, 1918&nbsp;– December 15, 2009)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://religion.lohudblogs.com/2009/12/15/oral-roberts-dead-at-91/|title=Evangelist Oral Roberts Dead At 91|last=Juozapavicius|first=Justin|publisher=[[Associated Press|The Associated Press]]|date=December 15, 2009|accessdate=May 27, 2011}}</ref><ref name="AP_obit"/> was an [[United States|American]] [[Pentecostal]] [[televangelist]] and a [[Christianity|Christian]] [[charismatic movement|charismatic]]. He founded the [[Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association]] and [[Oral Roberts University]]. As one of the most well-known and controversial religious leaders of the 20th century, Roberts' ministries reached millions of followers worldwide spanning a period of over six decades.<ref name="NYT_obit"/> His [[divine healing|healing]] ministry and bringing American [[Pentecostalism]] into the mainstream had the most impact,<ref name="CT_obit">{{cite web|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/decemberweb-only/151-34.0.html?start=1|title=Why the Oral Roberts Obituaries Are Wrong|last=Olsen|first=Ted|publisher=''[[Christianity Today]]''|date=December 16, 2009|accessdate=December 24, 2009}}</ref> but he also pioneered TV [[evangelism]] and laid the foundations of the [[prosperity gospel]]<ref name="NYT_obit">{{cite news |title=Oral Roberts, Fiery Preacher, Dies at 91 |first=Keith |last=Schneider |publisher=''[[The New York Times]]'' |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/us/16roberts.html |date=December 15, 2009 |accessdate=December 24, 2009 }}</ref> and [[abundant life]] teachings.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bill Sherman|title=Oral Roberts 1918-2009: A Lasting Influence|quote=God is a good God who wants to bless people spiritually, physically and economically.|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2008/oralRoberts/specialsection.pdf|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''|page=2|date=December 20, 2009}}</ref> ==Early life== Roberts was born in [[Pontotoc County, Oklahoma]], the fifth and youngest child of the Reverend Ellis Melvin Roberts and Claudius Priscilla Roberts (née Irwin) (d. 1974).<ref>{{cite news |title=Oral Roberts's Mother Dies |publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60D10F93F58137B93CBA8178FD85F408785F9 |date=1974-04-19 |accessdate=2009-12-15}}</ref> According to an interview on ''[[Larry King Live]]'', Irwin was of [[Cherokee]] descent.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0201/31/lkl.00.html|title=Interview With Lennox Lewis; Interview With Oral Roberts (transcript)|date=January 31, 2002|work=[[Larry King Live]]|accessdate=December 18, 2009}}</ref> Roberts was a card-carrying member of the [[Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Cherokee Community of Central California|url=http://centralca.cherokee.org/|accessdate=May 23, 2010}}</ref> Roberts began life in poverty and nearly died of tuberculosis at age 17.<ref name="TulsaToday">{{cite news|url=http://www.tulsatoday.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1429:oral-roberts-dies&catid=58:local&Itemid=106 |title=Oral Roberts Dies |publisher=''Tulsa Today''|date=December 15, 2009|first=David |last=Arnett |accessdate=December 21, 2009}}</ref> After finishing high school, Roberts studied for two years each at [[Oklahoma Baptist University]] and [[Phillips University]]. In 1938 he married a preacher's daughter, Evelyn Lutman Fahnestock.<ref name="Evelyn">{{cite web|title=Evelyn Lutman Roberts|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10919187|publisher=[[Find A Grave]]}}</ref> Roberts became a traveling [[faith healer]] after ending his college studies without a degree. According to a ''[[TIME Magazine]]'' profile of 1972, Roberts originally made a name for himself with a large mobile tent "that sat 3,000 on metal folding chairs" where "he shouted at petitioners who did not respond to his healing."<ref name="Time1972">{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,905738-1,00.html|title=Religion: Oral's Progress|publisher=''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''|date=February 7, 1972|first=|last=|accessdate=2007-01-04}}</ref> ==Ministry and university== 1947 came as a turning point. Up until that time Roberts had struggled as a part-time preacher in Oklahoma. But at the age of 29 Roberts claims he picked up his Bible and it fell open at the [[Third Epistle of John]] where verse two read: "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." Roberts decided immediately that it was all right to be rich. The next day he said he bought a [[Buick]] and God appeared, he said, telling him to heal the sick.<ref name="guardianobit">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/15/oral-roberts-obituary|title=Oral Roberts obituary|last=Christopher|first=Reed|publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' (UK)|date=December 15, 2009|accessdate=December 21, 2009 | location=London}}</ref> Roberts resigned his pastoral ministry with the [[Pentecostal Holiness Church]] to found [[Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association]] (OREA).<ref name="biography"/> He conducted evangelistic and [[faith healing]] crusades across America and around the world. Thousands of sick people would wait in line to stand before Oral Roberts so he could pray for them. He appeared as a guest speaker for hundreds of national and international meetings and conventions. Through the years, he conducted more than 300 crusades on six continents, and personally laid hands in prayer on more than 2 million people.<ref name="TulsaToday" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://laist.com/2009/12/15/evangelist_dr_oral_roberts_dies_at.php|title=Evangelist Dr. Oral Roberts Dies at 91 in Newport Beach|last=Behrens|first=Zach|publisher=''[[LAist]]''|date=December 15, 2009|accessdate=December 19, 2009}}</ref><ref name="pr_121509">{{cite web|title=ORAL ROBERTS DIES: Funeral Arrangements Pending for Legendary Evangelist|url=http://static.ktul.com/documents/oralroberts.pdf|publisher=[[KTUL-TV]]|date=Press release of December 15, 2009}}</ref> He also ran direct mail campaigns of [[Seed Faith|seed-faith]], which appealed to poor Americans, often from ethnic minorities. At its peak in the early 1980s, Roberts was the leader of a $120 million-a-year organization employing 2,300 people. This spanned not only a university but also a medical school and hospital as well as buildings on {{convert|50|acre|m2}} south of [[Tulsa]] valued at $500 million.<ref name="NYT_obit" /><ref name="guardianobit" /> Another part of the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association, the [[Abundant Life Prayer Group]] (ALPG), was founded in 1958.<ref name="biography"/> [[File:Praying Hands at the main entrance to the campus of Oral Roberts University.jpg|thumb|left|The Praying Hands, on the ORU campus in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]]]] In 1963, he founded [[Oral Roberts University]] (ORU)<ref name="biography"/> in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]], stating he was obeying a command from [[God]]. The university was chartered during 1963 and received its first students in 1965. Students were required to sign an honor code pledging not to [[alcohol|drink]], [[tobacco|smoke]], or engage in premarital sexual activities. The [[Prayer Tower]], opened in 1967, is located at the center of the campus. Roberts was a pioneer [[televangelism|televangelist]], and attracted a vast viewership. He began broadcasting by radio in 1947,<ref>{{cite web|title=Broadcasters Vote Three to Hall of Fame|url=http://oabok.org/documents/HOF_info_for_website.pdf|publisher=Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters|year=2010|accessdate=June 4, 2010}}</ref><ref name="HOF">{{cite news|title=Chancellor Roberts Elected to Hall of Fame|url=http://www.oru.edu/news/oru_news/20091120_chancellor_roberts_elected.php|publisher=[[Oral Roberts University]]|date=Nov 20, 2009}}</ref> and began broadcasting his revivals by television in 1954.<ref name="NYT_obit" /> His television ministry continued with ''The Abundant Life'' program reaching 80% of the United States by 1957, and quarterly Prime Time Specials from 1969 through 1980. In 1996, he founded [[Golden Eagle Broadcasting]].<ref name="biography" /> On 17 March 1968, Roberts and his wife were received as members of the Boston Avenue [[United Methodist Church]] in Tulsa, Oklahoma by Dr. [[Finis Alonzo Crutchfield, Jr.|Finis Crutchfield]], then pastor. The [[United Methodist Church]] offered more leniency in doctrinal and moral issues than the Pentecostalism. This granted Roberts some leeway, as it was expected that the strictness of the Pentecostal tradition may have impeded his rise in popularity. <ref>{{cite book |title= Oral Roberts: An American Life |last= Harrell, Jr. |first= David Edwin |year= 1985 |publisher= Indiana University Press |location= Bloomington, Indiana |isbn= ISBN 0-253-15844-3 |page= 298|}} </ref> Before Roberts' switch to Methodism, Crutchfield arranged a meeting between Roberts and [[William Angie Smith|Bishop William Angie Smith]], at which the Bishop told Roberts, "We need you, but we need the Holy Spirit more than we need you and we've got to have the Holy Spirit in the Methodist Church." <ref>{{cite book |title= Oral Roberts: An American Life |last= Harrell, Jr. |first= David Edwin |year= 1985 |publisher= Indiana University Press |location= Bloomington, Indiana |isbn= ISBN 0-253-15844-3 |page= 294|}} </ref> Roberts became an [[Elder (Methodism)|elder]] in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church. From 1968 through 1987, Roberts was a member of the [[United Methodist Church]]’s ministry.<ref name="telegraph_obit">{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/religion-obituaries/6827907/Oral-Roberts.html |title=Oral Roberts |publisher=''[[Telegraph.co.uk|Telegraph]]'' (UK) |date=December 16, 2009 |accessdate=December 24, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Expect a Miracle: My Life and Ministry|location=Nashville, Tennessee|publisher=[[Thomas Nelson Publishers]]|first=Oral|last=Roberts|year=1995|pages=316–329|isbn=978-0785274650}}</ref> Roberts had a vast impact on the [[Protestant]] community. According to one authority, in conservative Protestant culture, his ministry had a worldwide impact second only to [[Billy Graham]].<ref name=AP_obit /><ref>{{cite web|title=Oral Roberts|url=http://www.infoplease.com/biography/var/oralroberts.html|publisher=[[Infoplease]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Bill|last=Sherman|title=Oral Roberts 1918-2009: A Lasting Influence|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2008/oralRoberts/specialsection.pdf|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''|date=December 20, 2009|page=2}}</ref> His [[divine healing]] ministry called for [[prayer]] to heal the [[Abundant life|whole person]] — body, mind and [[soul|spirit]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Roberts, Oral|title=If You Need Healing, Do These Things|url=http://search.barnesandnoble.com/If-You-Need-Healing-Do-These-Things/Oral-Roberts/e/9780548384909#Overview|location=Whitefish, MT, USA|publisher=[[Kessinger Publishing]]|id=ISBN 0548384908, ISBN 978-0548384909|edition=4th|origyear=1947|year=1969|page=section: A personal word|quote=...minister to the peoples of the world with the goal of seeing them made whole in mind, body and soul.}}</ref> Many labeled him a [[faith healer]], but he rejected this with the comment: "God heals — I don't."<ref name="CT_obit" /><ref name="AP_obit">{{cite news|url=http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Evangelist-Oral-Roberts-dies-in-Calif-at-age-91-288912.php|title=Evangelist Oral Roberts dies in Calif. at age 91|last=Juozapavicius|first=Justin|publisher=[[Associated Press|The Associated Press]]|date=December 15, 2009|accessdate=May 27, 2011}}</ref> He played a major role in bringing American [[Pentecostal]] [[Christianity]] into the mainstream.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2009/12/16/evangelist-oral-roberts-leaves-complex-legacy/|title=Evangelist Oral Roberts leaves a complex legacy|last=Gorski|first=Eric|work=[[Columbia Missourian]]|publisher=[[Associated Press|The Associated Press]]|date=December 16, 2009|accessdate=January 17, 2010}}</ref> Even though Roberts was often associated with the [[prosperity gospel]] and the [[faith movement]] because of his close doctrinal and personal ties with [[Word-Faith]] teachers, his [[abundant life]] teachings did not fully identify him with that movement.<ref>{{Cite book|surname1=Reid|given1=Daniel G.|surname2=Linder|given2=Robert Dean|surname3=Shelley|given3=Bruce L.|surname4=Stout|given4=Harry S.|year=1990|title=Dictionary of Christianity in America|location=Westmont, Illinois|publisher=[[InterVarsity Press]]|isbn=978-0-8308-1776-4}}</ref> In 1977, Roberts claimed to have had a vision from a 900-foot-tall Jesus who told him to build [[City of Faith Medical and Research Center]], and the hospital would be a success.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Wayne|last1=Biddle|first2=Margo|last2=Slade|title=IDEAS AND TRENDS; Oral Roberts's Word on Cancer|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/30/weekinreview/ideas-and-trends-oral-roberts-s-word-on-cancer.html?scp=1&sq=Ideas%20and%20Trends:%20Oral%20Roberts's%20Word%20on%20Cancer&st=cse|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=January 30, 1983}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Anne|last=Reifenberg|title=Oral Roberts' Ministry Hits a 'Low Spot'|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3CE2C0203AD50&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|publisher=''[[The Dallas Morning News]]''|date=January 5, 1986}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleid=20080326_222_67873|title=Oral Roberts tells of talking to 900-foot Jesus|date=October 16, 1980|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''}}</ref> In 1980, Roberts said he had a vision which encouraged him to continue the construction of his City of Faith Medical and Research Center in Oklahoma, which opened in 1981. At the time, it was among the largest health facilities of its kind in the world and was intended to merge prayer and medicine in the healing process. The City of Faith operated for only eight years before closing in late 1989, but the importance of treating the [[Holistic health|whole person]] – spirit, mind, and body – was conveyed to many medical professionals.<ref>{{cite news|title=Oral Roberts Dies|url=http://www.alrcnewskitchen.com/eblast/others/091215_orea.pdf|publisher=A. Larry Ross Communications (ALR)|date=December 15, 2009|page=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Oral Roberts' Legacy|url=http://www.oru.edu/oralroberts/|publisher=[[Oral Roberts University]]}}</ref> The Orthopedic Hospital of Oklahoma still operates on its premises. In 1983 Roberts said Jesus had appeared to him in person and commissioned him to find a cure for [[cancer]].<ref>{{cite news|first1=Richard|last1=Ostling|last2=Winbush|first2=Don|title=Religion: A Family That Prays Together|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950927,00.html|publisher=''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''|date=July 4, 1983|authorlink1=Richard Ostling}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Paula|last=Herbut|title=Oral Roberts Seeking Millions for Holy Mission Against Cancer|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/131157672.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS&date=Jan+22%2C+1983&author=--+Paula+Herbut&pub=The+Washington+Post++(1974-Current+file)&edition=&startpage=C11&desc=Oral+Roberts+Seeking+Millions+for+Holy+Mission+Against+Cancer|publisher=''[[The Washington Post]]''|date=January 22, 1983}}</ref> Roberts' fundraising was controversial. In January 1987, during a fundraising drive, Roberts announced to a television audience that unless he raised $8 million by that March, God would "call him home." <ref>{{Cite book|surname1=Randi|given1=James|authorlink1=James Randi|year=1989|title=[[The Faith Healers]]| publisher=[[Prometheus Books]]|isbn=0-87975-535-0|page=186}}</ref><ref name="Time1987" /> Some were fearful that he was referring to suicide, given the impassioned pleas and tears that accompanied his statement. He raised $9.1 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oral Roberts|url=http://www.ondoctrine.com/10robero.htm|first=Gary A.|last=Hand|publisher=On Doctrine}}</ref> Later that year, he announced that God had raised the dead through Roberts' ministry.<ref>{{Cite book|surname1=Randi|given1=James|authorlink1=James Randi|year=1989|title=[[The Faith Healers]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Books]]|isbn=0-87975-535-0|page=192}}</ref> Some of Roberts' fundraising letters were written by [[Gene Ewing]], who headed a business writing donation letters for other evangelicals such as [[Don Stewart (preacher)|Don Stewart]] and [[Robert Tilton]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/DM/lib00376,0ED3D68534F95845.html|title=Direct-market evangelist brings in millions lawyer says it all goes|publisher=''[[The Dallas Morning News]]''|date=March 10, 1996|accessdate =2007-05-17 | first=Howard | last=Swindle}}</ref> Roberts maintained his love of finery and one obituary claimed that even when times become hard, "he continued to wear his Italian silk suits, diamond rings and gold bracelets – airbrushed out by his staff on publicity pictures".<ref name="guardianobit" /><ref name="telegraph_obit" /> [[File:CityPlex Towers in Tulsa, Oklahoma.jpg|thumb|right|The [[CityPlex]] office complex, originally built as Oral Roberts' [[City of Faith Medical and Research Center]] in Tulsa.]] He stirred up controversy when ''Time'' reported in 1987 that his son [[Richard Roberts (evangelist)|Richard Roberts]] claimed that he had seen his father raise a child from the dead.<ref name="Time1987">{{cite news|url=http://jcgi.pathfinder.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964970,00.html|title=Raising Eyebrows and the Dead|publisher=''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''|date=July 13, 1987|first=Richard|last=Ostling|accessdate =2007-01-04|authorlink=Richard Ostling}}</ref> That year, the ''[[Bloom County]]'' comic strip recast its character [[Bill the Cat]] as a satirized televangelist, "Fundamentally Oral Bill." In 1987 ''Time'' stated that he was "re-emphasizing faith healing and [is] reaching for his old-time constituency."<ref name="Time1987"/> However, his income continued to decrease (from $88 million in 1980 to $55 million in 1986, according to the ''[[Tulsa Tribune]]'') and his largely vacant City of Faith Medical Center continued to lose money.<ref name="Time1987"/> Harry McNevin said that in 1988 the ORU Board of Regents "rubber-stamped" the "use of millions in endowment money to buy a Beverly Hills property so that Oral Roberts could have a West Coast office and house".<ref>{{cite news|last=Juozapavicius|first=Justin|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/08/AR2007110801341_pf.html|title=Oral Roberts' Son Accused of Misspending|work=[[The Washington Post]]|publisher=[[Associated Press|The Associated Press]]|date=November 8, 2007|accessdate=December 18, 2009}}</ref> In addition, he said a country club membership was purchased for the Roberts' home. The lavish expenses led to McNevin's resignation from the Board. {{wikinews|Former Oral Roberts University Regent member speaks out}} His organizations were also affected by scandals involving other [[televangelists]]<ref name="AP_obit"/> and the City of Faith hospital was forced to close in 1989 after losing money. Roberts was forced to respond with the sale of his holiday homes in [[Palm Springs]] and [[Beverly Hills]] as well as three of his [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] cars.<ref name="guardianobit" /> Oral Roberts' son [[Richard Roberts (evangelist)|Richard Roberts]] resigned from the presidency of ORU on November 23, 2007 after being named as a defendant in a lawsuit alleging improper use of university funds for political and personal purposes, and improper use of university resources.<ref>{{cite news|title=Roberts resigns as ORU president|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=071123_1__Richa47602&archive=yes|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''|date=November 23, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Ziva|last=Branstetter|title=Roberts resigns|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=071124_1_A1_hMove11578&archive=yes|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''|date=November 24, 2007}}</ref> The university was given a donation of $8 million by entrepreneur [[Mart Green]], and although the lawsuit was still in process,<ref>{{cite web|title=ORU Lawsuit|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2007/oru-lawsuit/default.html|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''|accessdate=January 9, 2010}}</ref> the school submitted to an outside audit, and with a good report an additional $62 million was given by Green.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-01-14-oralroberts-gift_N.htm|title=Oral Roberts University takes $62M gift|publisher=''[[USA Today]]''|date=January 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=ORU moves to trim its debt|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080214_1_A1_hTrus02181|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''|last=Marciszewski|first=April|date=February 14, 2008|accessdate=January 9, 2010}}</ref> Oral Roberts continued in his role as ORU chancellor, helping in the leadership of ORU along with [[Billy Joe Daugherty]], who was named as the executive regent to assume administrative responsibilities of the Office of the President by the ORU Board of Regents.<ref>{{cite news|first=April|last=Marciszewski|title=Roberts takes ORU leave|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071018_1_A1_hTheO62814|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''|date=October 18, 2007|accessdate=October 18, 2007}}</ref> Oral Roberts continued as the ORU chancellor until his death,<ref name="biography"/> but in 2009 eleven months before his death, handed over the leadership of ORU to its incoming president, [[Mark Rutland]].<ref>{{cite news|title=New ORU president says he has founder's blessing|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090130_11_A8_Oaoetn993404&archive=yes|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''|author=Sherman, Bill and Muchmore, Shannon|date=January 30, 2009|accessdate=January 9, 2010}}</ref> Even though Roberts' prosperous lifestyle, unorthodox fund-raising techniques, and the expanse of his organizations raised criticism and controversy, there was no credible evidence of malfeasance while he was in charge,<ref name="NYT_obit"/> he did not have sex-and-money scandals like some other [[televangelists]],<ref name="CT_obit" /> and he was not named among the six [[Prosperity gospel|prosperity]] teachers in the financial investigations launched by [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kwon |first=Lillian |title=Grassley Still Waiting on Preachers Under Financial Scrutiny |url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071219/grassley-still-waiting-on-preachers-under-financial-scrutiny/index.html |publisher=''[[The Christian Post]]'' |date=December 19, 2007 |accessdate=December 24, 2009 }}</ref> The [[Oklahoma Senate]] adopted a resolution honoring the life of Oral Roberts, and he accepted this honor in 2009 at the age of 91, seven months before his death.<ref>{{cite news|title=Oklahoma Senate Honors Oral Roberts|url=http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=10325475|publisher=[[Associated Press|The Associated Press]]|date=May 7, 2009|accessdate=January 7, 2010}}</ref> The Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters (OAB) elected Roberts to the OAB Hall of Fame one month before his death.<ref name="HOF" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Oral Roberts, OAB Hall of Fame, Inducted 2010|url=http://oabok.org/Awards/HOF-Roberts.htm|publisher=Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters (OAB)|date=November 2009}}</ref> The legacy he left behind upon his passing was worthy of his favorite quote: "Make No Small Plans Here."<ref name="Phil Cooke">{{cite web|first=Phil|last=Cooke|title=Oral Roberts and Me: If I Can Do It, You Can Do It|url=http://www.philcooke.com/Oral_Roberts|publisher=The Change Revolution|date=December 16, 2009|authorlink=Phil Cooke}}</ref> ==Personal life== Roberts was married to Evelyn Lutman Fahnestock (April 22, 1917 - May 4, 2005) for 66 years from December 25, 1938 until her death from a fall at the age of 88.<ref name="Evelyn"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Evelyn Roberts, wife of Oral Roberts, dies|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=050504_Br_Robertsdeath|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''|date=May 4, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Oral Roberts 1918-2009: Legacy|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2008/oralRoberts/specialsection.pdf|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''|date=December 20, 2009|page=6}}</ref> Their daughter Rebecca Nash died in an airplane crash on February 11, 1977 with her husband, businessman Marshall Nash.<ref>{{cite web|title=The "Heaven Has a Floor" Crash: February 11, 1977|url=http://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/Roberts-N59838.htm|publisher=Check Six|location=[http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Anthony,_Kansas&params=37_04_00_N_98_02_17_W_region:US_type:city Location: about 6 miles south of Anthony, KS]|date=2002, updated December 07, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Stefanic, Vern|title=Oral Roberts daughter, 5 others die|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleid=20080325_222_84228|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''|date=February 11, 1977, last modified March 25, 2008}}</ref> Their elder son, Ronald Roberts, committed suicide by shooting himself in the heart on 10 June 1982, five months after receiving a court order to undergo counseling at a drug treatment center and six months after coming out as gay.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9503E3D61F38F933A25755C0A964948260|title=Oral Roberts's Son, 37, Found Shot Dead in Car|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=June 10, 1982|first=|last=|accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref><ref name="talk">{{cite web|title=Oral Roberts’ Gay Grandson: "It Gets Better."|url=http://talkaboutequality.wordpress.com/2010/10/25/oral-roberts-gay-grandson-it-gets-better/|publisher=Talk About Equality|date=Oct 25, 2010}}</ref><ref name="out">{{cite news|author=Taffet, David|title=Oral Roberts' gay grandson speaks out|url=http://www.dallasvoice.com/oral-roberts’-gay-grandson-speaks-out-1032465.html|publisher=dallasvoice.com|date=08 Jul 2010}}</ref> The other two Roberts children are son [[Richard Roberts (evangelist)|Richard]], an evangelist and former president of Oral Roberts University (ORU), and daughter Roberta Potts, an attorney. Roberts' gay grandson, Randy Roberts Potts, talked about his uncle Ronald Roberts,<ref name="talk"/><ref name="out"/> and wrote an article discussing growing up gay in the Oral Roberts family.<ref>{{cite web|author=Potts, Randy R|title=Something Good is Going to Happen to You|url=http://thislandpress.com/05/25/2010/something-good-is-going-to-happen-to-you/|publisher=This Land|date=May 25, 2010}}</ref> Oral Roberts died on December 15, 2009<ref name="KTUL">{{cite news|title=Oral Roberts Dies at Age 91|url=http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/1209/687732.html|publisher=[[KTUL-TV]]|date=December 15, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Sherman|title=Oral Roberts dies|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20091215_18_0_OralRo862074|publisher=''[[Tulsa World]]''|date=December 15, 2009}}</ref> at the age of 91. He had been "semi-retired" and living in [[Newport Beach, California]].<ref>{{cite news|first=William|last=Lobdell|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-oral-roberts16-2009dec16,0,3407978.story|title=Oral Roberts dies at 91; televangelist was pioneering preacher of the 'prosperity gospel'|publisher=''[[Los Angeles Times]]''|date=December 16, 2009}}</ref> According to a 1987 article in the ''[[New York Review of Books]]'' by [[Martin Gardner]], the "most accurate and best documented [[biography]] is ''Oral Roberts: An American Life'', an objective study by [[David Edwin Harrell Jr.]], a historian at [[Auburn University]]. Two out-of-print books take a more critical stance: James Morris' ''The Preachers'' ([[St. Martin's Press]], 1973) and Jerry Sholes' ''Give Me That Prime-Time Religion'' (Hawthorn, 1979)."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nybooks.com/articles/article-preview?article_id=4689|title=Giving God a Hand|publisher=''[[New York Review of Books]]''|date=August 13, 1987|first=Martin|last=Gardner|accessdate=2007-10-18}}</ref> ==See also== * [[Healing Revival]] * [[Charismatic Christianity]] * [[List of television evangelists]] ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==Further reading== ;About Roberts * ''[[The Faith Healers]]'', by [[James Randi]], Buffalo, N.Y.: [[Prometheus Books]], 1987. ISBN 0-87975-369-2 * ''[http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=19744 Oral Roberts: An American Life]'', by David Edwin Harrell, Jr., Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. ISBN 0-253-15844-3 ;By Roberts * ''The Call: An autobiography''. by Oral Roberts, Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday, 1972. * ''Expect a miracle: my life and ministry''. by Oral Roberts, Nashville : T. Nelson, 1995. ISBN 0-7852-7752-8 * ''Oral Roberts' life story, as told by himself.'' by Oral Roberts, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1952. ==External links== {{sisterlinks}} * [http://memorial.oru.edu Webcast of Chancellor Oral Roberts' Memorial Service] * [http://www.oralroberts.com Oral Roberts Ministries] * [http://www.oru.edu Oral Roberts University] * [http://www.tulsaworld.com/oralroberts ''Oral Roberts: The Man. The Mission. The Ministry.''], online archive at ''[[Tulsa World]]'' * [http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/37922/life-with-oral-roberts Life With Oral Roberts] slideshow by ''[[Life magazine]]'' * [http://voicesofoklahoma.com/oral_roberts.html Voices of Oklahoma interview with Oral Roberts.] First person interview conducted with Oral Roberts on August 11, 2009. Last interview before his death. Original audio and transcript archived with [http://voicesofoklahoma.com/index.html Voices of Oklahoma oral history project.] {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> | NAME = Roberts, Oral | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Roberts, Granville Oral (birth name) | SHORT DESCRIPTION = Christian religious leader, healing evangelist, author, educator, television personality | DATE OF BIRTH = January 24, 1918 | PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Pontotoc County, Oklahoma]] | DATE OF DEATH = December 15, 2009 | PLACE OF DEATH = [[Newport Beach, California]] }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Oral}} [[Category:1918 births]] [[Category:2009 deaths]] [[Category:American evangelists]] [[Category:American Pentecostals]] [[Category:American television evangelists]] [[Category:American people of Cherokee descent]] <!-- http://www.cherokeecommunityofcentralcalifornia.org/ --> [[Category:American people of Choctaw descent]] <!-- http://www.cherokeecommunityofcentralcalifornia.org/ --> [[Category:Faith healers]] [[Category:Deaths from pneumonia]] [[Category:Infectious disease deaths in California]] [[Category:Oklahoma Baptist University alumni]] [[Category:Oral Roberts University people]] [[Category:People from Oklahoma]] [[Category:People from Pontotoc County, Oklahoma]] [[ko:오럴 로버츠]] [[nl:Oral Roberts]] [[no:Oral Roberts]] [[pt:Oral Roberts]] [[fi:Oral Roberts]] [[sv:Oral Roberts]] [[uk:Орал Робертс]]'