Oral Roberts Dies of Pneumonia Complications, December 15, 2009

Breaking news interrupted broadcast television at 2:30pm on this date to announce that the legendary evangelist, Oral Roberts, had passed away. Information on his death can be found here.

Oral Roberts, who was a minister for the vast majority of his life, can be credited as the founder of Oral Roberts University, which is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His namesake college trains Christian leaders and ministers for a wide range of careers, with alumni located worldwide. The heirloom prayer tower was built in the center of the college grounds, which can be seen for miles around. The City of Faith, which is a medical facility, is one of the tallest buildings in Tulsa. In fact, anyone who travels near the southern part of Tulsa will see its top floors towering above the trees.

Oral Roberts had been suffering from numerous health issues for some time. Recently he was hospitalized with pneumonia. It is reported that he died of complications related to pneumonia.

His son, Richard Roberts, had taken over the Oral Roberts ministry and as president of the college. Last year, however, financial scandal rocked the college, with accusations of financial mismanagement and waggling fingers in all departments. Ultimately, the college was relinquished from the Roberts family, and instead turned over to a totally separate ruling body. This was the only way to stop the college from going into total financial and institutional ruin.

My father attended Oral Roberts for one semester during his Freshman year of college. My grandmother paid for his tuition in cash, since there were few scholarships or grants during those days. My father knew Richard Roberts on a personal basis and remembers having him in class. My grandmother, rest her soul, was a great follower of Oral Roberts and his teachings. She religiously sent in love gifts to his ministry and made prayer requests as well.

Oral Roberts will be greatly missed by many across the nation and worldwide. Countless lives have been touched by him or his ministry in some way. I would say that, although I never met the man personally, that my life was touched by him by virtue of my grandmother.

Oral Roberts passed away on December 15, 2009.