Word Worldwide

Dear Partners in God’s work,

          A few days ago, one of the greatest ministers of all time, Oral Roberts, went to be with the Lord in heaven. Pam and I are graduates of Oral Roberts University, and he made a huge impact on us. I remember one time in particular that influenced me as a minister of God and changed my life forever. A couple of years ago, the university asked us and other alumni to participate in a special present consisting of letters of appreciation to give to Brother Roberts for his birthday. Below is the story I wrote and sent to him — I hope my words blessed him, because he certainly blessed me:

 

          Oral Roberts has stated, “Success without a successor is failure.” His ministry is obviously a success. He has raised up a whole generation of ORU students to carry on what he started. I am blessed to be one of them.

          As a student, I had the opportunity to discuss Oral’s commission as an evangelist with him, which greatly impacted my life. Over a holiday break, I stayed in Tulsa while most everyone traveled home. I went alone to the vacant Aerobics Center to lift weights. Oral Roberts came upstairs to my area, to walk around the indoor track. He invited me to join him.

         When I told him I was called into full-time ministry, he said that was his vision for ORU: to send people into the world to minister Jesus Christ. When I shared my background in street witnessing in New York City and as a director of street evangelism for ORU’s Christian Service Council, it pushed his button. Witnessing is the subject to talk about with an evangelist. Oral reflected on his early days in the evangelistic/healing ministry. He shared about things that happened when his ministry first got started. He encouraged me never to give up in serving God, no matter what happens in my ministry, but to always keep going. Oral also expressed that he especially started liking ministry when he saw God’s Spirit move in power, and said that he wants ORU students to take the power of the Holy Spirit to hurting people everywhere. After several laps around the track, Oral turned to leave and admonished, “Keep following God.”

          Naturally-speaking, I cannot make too big of a deal out of taking that walk with Oral Roberts. But, spiritually, it made an impression on me. In fact, it changed my life. His dedication to serve God stood out. His passion and fire burned so brightly when he talked, it was as if an igniting took place. His words began to burn within me. They became like fire in my bones. I am sure I felt like those men did who had walked down the road, listening to the resurrected Jesus. They proclaimed, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us?” (Luke 24:32).

          I became more focused that day. That thirty-minute walk with Oral strengthened my call, because I came in contact with someone who was accomplishing so much for God. He was a pioneer who had paved the way for others to walk in his steps. A legacy gets passed down when you are around that type of anointing he has,and you catch it! Oral Roberts’ ministry, his heartbeat, his vision from God will not die when he goes home to be with the Lord – it will successfully continue through students he taught and imparted his vision to over the years. That’s what ORU is all about. Today, as I bear fruit for God in ministry, I remember and appreciate my spiritual roots.

 

          I strongly sense the call of God as a minister. By God’s grace, I am fulfilling that call. Pam and I both are called to do His work, and we thank you for the part you have in Woodson Ministries. “The voice of the Lord hews out flames of fire” (Ps. 29:7, NASV). With a fire in our hearts, we are delivering to people God’s Word — His voice, a flaming fire — so their hearts also might be caught on fire for Him. Oral Roberts taught “Seed-Faith”; the finances you give to our ministry are “seeds of faith” producing a “harvest” of changed souls for the kingdom of God. Lives are being saved, healed, delivered, and transformed by the Lord’s power. Thank you for praying and asking God to lead you in giving to this work at WM. Blessings to you!

 

In Christ,

Woody and Pam Woodson

1-to-5-minute audio devotional by Woody

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Be strong in the Lord...taking the shield of faith & the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Eph. 6)

Copyright 2009, Woody Woodson, Woodson Ministries, Tulsa, OK