Who was Oral Roberts?
Who was Oral Roberts? By Tyrone Singh
Oral Roberts (1918–2009) was one of the most influential healing evangelists of the twentieth century—a pioneer who brought the message of faith, healing, and God’s goodness to millions around the world through tent meetings, radio, and television.
Raised in poverty in rural Oklahoma, Roberts’ early life was marked by hardship and sickness. As a young man, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was not expected to live. But everything changed when he attended a healing meeting where he encountered the power of God—and was miraculously healed.
That moment became the turning point of his life.
From then on, he carried a deep conviction:
God is a good God—and He desires to heal and bless His people.
Oral Roberts answered the call to ministry with a burning passion to take healing to his generation. He began holding large tent crusades across America, where thousands would gather to hear the Word of God and receive prayer. His meetings were marked by miracles, salvations, and a tangible sense of God’s presence.
He became widely known for personally praying for the sick, often saying:
“Expect a miracle.”
This simple but powerful message stirred faith in countless hearts.
As his ministry grew, Roberts became a pioneer in using media to reach the masses. He was one of the first evangelists to take the Gospel of healing onto television, bringing the message of Jesus Christ into homes across the world. Through this, millions heard that God still heals, saves, and delivers today.
In 1963, he founded Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, Oklahoma—a bold step of faith with a vision to raise up students who would take God’s power to their generation. His desire was not just to preach the Gospel, but to train others to carry it.
Throughout his life, Oral Roberts emphasised what he called “seed-faith”—the principle of trusting God as a source and acting in faith through giving, believing, and expecting results according to God’s Word.
His ministry impacted nations, crossed denominational lines, and helped restore the message of divine healing to the Body of Christ in a fresh and powerful way.
Oral Roberts continued preaching for decades, remaining a strong voice for faith, healing, and God’s goodness until he went home to be with the Lord on December 15, 2009.
A PERSONAL REFLECTION
What stands out to me most about Oral Roberts is his bold expectation of God’s goodness.
He didn’t just believe God could move—
he expected Him to move.
His message was simple, yet powerful:
God is not against you—He is for you.
He carried a revelation that faith is not passive. It reaches out. It expects. It receives.
His life challenges me to lift my expectation, to believe bigger, and to trust that God is still working miracles today.
PRAYER
Father,
Thank You for the life and testimony of Oral Roberts. Thank You for the faith, the boldness, and the vision that marked his ministry.
Lord, help me to see You as a good God—One who heals, restores, and provides.
Teach me to expect miracles, to trust Your Word, and to act in faith without hesitation.
Stir in me a passion to reach the lost and minister to those in need.
Let my life carry Your power, Your compassion, and Your truth.
Holy Spirit, guide me, strengthen me, and help me to walk in obedience.
Remove doubt and limitation, and fill me with fresh expectation.
Use me to bring hope to the broken, healing to the sick, and salvation to many.
May everything I do bring glory to Jesus.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
