The Holy Spirit in the Now

Oral Roberts, in full Granville Oral Roberts, (born Jan. 24, 1918, near Ada, Okla., U.S.—died Dec. 15, 2009, Newport Beach, Calif.), American evangelist. Oral was one of the most famous and influential Christian leaders of the twentieth century. His ministry began with his own miracle healing of tuberculosis at the age of 17. As his older brother drove him to a revival meeting to be prayed for, God spoke to him and said, “Son, I am going to heal you, and you are to take My healing power to your generation. You are to build Me a university based on My authority and on the Holy Spirit.” Roberts was miraculously healed that night of both tuberculosis and lifelong stuttering. His call from God and supernatural healing marked the beginning of a miracle ministry. In 1963, Roberts founded Oral Roberts University (ORU), a 500-acre campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma, based on God’s mandate—“Raise up your students to hear My voice, to go where My light is dim, where My voice is heard small, and My healing power is not known, even to the uttermost bounds of the earth. Their work will exceed yours, and in this I am well pleased.” He served as President of ORU until 1993.