The Reverend Oral Roberts has died at the age of 91
By: Import User
Updated: December 16, 2009
The Reverend Oral Roberts has died.
Reports said he died Tuesday in Newport Beach, California, of complications from pneumonia.
The 91-year-old minister was one of the nation's first televangelist.
He changed the way religion was presented on television.
During his five decades in the ministry, Roberts became known for his controversial faith healing.
At the height of his popularity, thousands flocked to Roberts' tent revival meetings and an estimated three million more watched his weekly TV program.
In 1963 he created Oral Roberts University, which has grown into a respected theological seminary and medical research facility.
But it was an emotional plea for money to fund his university medical programs that put him in the center of a controversy in 1987.
Roberts told his viewing audience that god gave him an ultimatum, raise 8 million dollars in one year for the hospital or be laid to rest.
The money came in, but after the controversy his support dropped off.
Roberts was also criticized for claiming to raise the dead.
After suffering a massive heart attack in 1993, Roberts relinquished control of his ministry organization to his son Richard.
Despite enduring controversy, Oral Roberts will be remembered as one of the pioneers who helped bridge the gap between media and ministry.
