Oral Roberts' Last Sermon Delivered To Local Native American Church

Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

MOUNDS, OK -- Oral Roberts' crusades took him around the world, but his final sermon was delivered at a tiny Native American church in rural Tulsa County.

Oral Roberts made his last trip to Oklahoma three months ago for the inauguration of ORU's new president.

He insisted on traveling to a small church called Morning Star Church of All Nations on Hectorville Road and delivered his last sermon in front of 60 stunned worshippers.

On the news, you saw Oral Roberts blessing his university's third president before thousands of students.

"I'm all choked up this morning trying to talk, because this is a high moment for me. You just don't know how deeply moved I am," Roberts said during the sermon.

What you didn't see was a surprise visit to a small Native-American Church, two days later.

"Everyone was just taken aback; you could see it on their faces," Pastor Negiel Bigpond said.

Oral Roberts was a fan of Bigpond's book on Indian women, called Women Warriors.

He wanted to meet privately with Bigpond to discuss their ancestry.

"He was proud of his blood; he kept saying I'm very proud of my bloodline, my Cherokee blood," Bigpond said.

But Roberts changed his mind and traveled to Morning Star Church in Hectorville for regular Sunday services.

His visit was unannounced.

"When I entered the building, the presence of God filled my soul," Roberts said.

Pastor Bigpond was hoping Oral would talk for an hour, He stayed for three.

"It was just like was unloading volumes and volumes of experience and motivation. Not a speech, but wisdom and knowledge.

The Morning Star congregation honored Oral Roberts by presenting him with the Warrior's Robe.

This is what we call a Warrior's Robe. There's no greater Warrior than what you've done for Christ, the Congregation told Roberts as they gave him the gift.

For the members of this Native-American church, it is an experience they'll never forget.

"Him coming here was an honor, him coming here was a way of thanking the native people," said Bigpond.