Oral Roberts Tribute: Christian Leaders Remember

Prominent Christian leaders reflected on the legacy of healing evangelist Oral Roberts by describing him as “a man of God” and a pioneer in televangelism and healing ministry.

Evangelist Billy Graham, founder of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Oral Roberts was a man of God and a great friend in ministry. I loved him as a brother. We had many quiet conversations over the years. I invited Oral to speak at one of our early international conferences on evangelism held in Berlin in the 1960s. … Just three weeks ago, I was privileged to talk to Oral over the telephone. During the short conversation, he said to me that he was near the end of his life’s journey. I look forward to the day that I will see Oral and Evelyn Roberts again in heaven–our eternal home.

Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston

For more than 50 years, Oral Roberts was a dear family friend, and we are deeply saddened by his passing. He was a great hero of faith whose legacy will live on in the hearts of millions of believers worldwide. He profoundly affected all of us through his strong faith in Jesus Christ and his deep compassion and love for his fellow man. On behalf of the members of Lakewood Church and the Osteen family, Victoria and I send our heartfelt prayers and deepest condolences to the entire Roberts family and to all the students and staff of Oral Roberts University.

Missions leader David Shibley, founder of Global Advance

Oral Roberts was a towering figure of the 20th century. We have much to learn from his life and legacy. In a few years we will begin to understand just how much we owe him. I am convinced that his fiercely focused faith, in the university’s darkest hours, simply would not permit Oral Roberts University to die. Like the patriarchs of antiquity, he shaped history by his faith and his clear vision of an all-sufficient, conquering Christ.

When I was in high school I was privileged to meet Oral Roberts and know his family. In my first visit to their home, a copy of Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest was on the coffee table. That describes his life and peerless evangelistic ministry. Oral Roberts was his utmost for His highest.

Healing evangelist Benny Hinn

Even as we grieve Dr. Roberts’ passing from this earth, we rejoice that he is now in heaven. What an amazing life! He was a giant in so many ways, and I was privileged to have him as a dear, dear friend for many years. Every time I was with him, I saw firsthand a heart consumed with the love of Jesus Christ.

Through the years I have often thought of the standard he has set for so many ministers and believers to follow, and on this day of his glorious home-going, it is once again a time for all of us to reflect even more upon his tremendous impact. God overshadowed his life, even before he entered the world at 11 a.m., January 24, 1918, in Pontotoc County, Okla. What a journey he made in his 91 years as he traveled around the world as a true pioneer for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Only heaven will reveal how many hearts he has pointed toward heaven, how many homes have been revolutionized through his seed-faith teaching, and how many ears have heard his faith-filled phrase, “Expect a miracle!” God has used him to open doors that were once considered closed to the miracle-working power of the gospel, and wherever I travel, I have been ever thankful for the trail he blazed.

I ask all my partners to be in prayer for his family during these days of bereavement. And while we join his loved ones in mourning the loss of this great trailblazer of the faith, we also celebrate his reunion in heaven with his beloved wife, Evelyn, other family members, the hosts who accepted our Lord Jesus as Savior, and most importantly, with the Lord Himself, whom our brother in Christ served so faithfully during his memorable lifetime!

Oral Roberts University Board Chair Mart Green

Chancellor Oral Roberts was a true disciple of Christ and his contributions to the kingdom of God will live on for many years to come. Just 10 days from Christmas, we know Oral will celebrate the birth of Christ with his heavenly father. The Oral Roberts University family grieves his loss yet celebrates the legacy he leaves behind.

Bishop T.D. Jakes, pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas

Dr. Oral Roberts was a friend of mine and an inspiration to The Potter’s House. More importantly he was a forerunner of Christian ministry whose message of total healing transcended the generations. He was a pioneer in the concept of holistic medicine combining the science of medicine with deep spirituality to attain wellness of the body, soul and spirit. Through his vision and commitment to Christian education, his legacy will continue in the hearts and minds of young believers. His tents no longer flap in the wind; today they are pulled up by the stakes leaving only the echo of his distinct voice reverberating in the hearts of all those who admired him. The world has lost a treasured gift from God embodied in the man Oral Roberts. Our sympathy goes out to his family and the many churches that were under his over site.

Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Oral Roberts was loved and admired by millions of people around the world. I always appreciated the times when he went out of his way to befriend me. He invited me to speak at Oral Roberts University when I was just starting my ministry and was an encouragement to me. I thank God for his friendship and Godly example and his faithfulness in ministry. He will be greatly missed. Our love and condolences go to Richard and Roberta and their families.

Trinity Broadcasting Network founder Paul Crouch

We’ve
always considered Dr. Roberts a wonderful part of our TBN family. In
fact, our relationship with him goes back many years before TBN was
started, in the late 1950s, when Jan and I were living in Rapid City,
S.D., and I was the local news anchor at the then new NBC affiliate
television station. Dr. Roberts had come to town to hold one of his
great crusade meetings.

This was major news for the little town of Rapid City, as Dr.
Roberts was the preeminent healing evangelist of that day. I invited
him to be a guest on my news program, which he graciously accepted.
Little did I know that 25 years later our paths would once again cross
as Jan and I had the joy and privilege of interviewing Dr. Roberts for
the first of many times on the Praise the Lord program.

We will always be grateful for Dr. Roberts’ enthusiasm and support
for TBN, and will forever treasure the messages of inspiration he gave
to Jan and me personally as he encouraged us to expand the vision and
outreach of TBN to reach the whole wide world. His prayers and wisdom
helped strengthen our faith in times of trial and difficulty. We shared
his sorrow when his sweet wife, Evely, went home to be with the Lord a
few years ago, and were blessed to see that he still had the desire to
continue sharing the message God gave to him until his assignment was
finished.

Now, his day of graduation has arrived, and Jan and I rejoice that
he is in the presence of Jesus enjoying the rich rewards of a life
spent in faithful service to our Savior. We will miss his wonderful
smile, encouraging words and precious prayers. He cannot be replaced,
but he will always remain with us through his spiritual legacy and
powerful, life-changing messages of faith and healing.

Apostle Frederick K. C. Price, founder of Crenshaw Christian Center

Brother Roberts was very special to the entire Price family and when he and Evelyn, his late wife, relocated to California some years ago, we visited them several times a year. He was a very special man of God and a blessing to the entire Body of Christ. He, Evelyn, Betty and I were dear friends and enjoyed a very warm and close relationship, which we shall forever cherish. We will miss him.