Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a private evangelical Christian university located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, founded in 1963 by charismatic Pentecostal preacher Oral Roberts. The institution was established with a vision to educate 'whole leaders for the whole world,' emphasizing the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority of Scripture. Groundbreaking occurred in 1962 on a 500-acre campus, with classes beginning in 1965. The university's dedication ceremony in 1967 featured evangelist Billy Graham as the keynote speaker, and it achieved accreditation from the North Central Association in 1971. At its peak in the early 1980s, ORU was part of a larger $120 million-a-year organization that included a medical school, hospital, and extensive facilities valued at $500 million, employing over 2,300 people.

ORU has maintained its charismatic Pentecostal roots, focusing on holistic education that integrates faith, academics, and service. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with notable emphasis on business, health sciences, and ministry-related fields. It has been involved in athletics, particularly basketball, competing in conferences like the Summit League, and hosts events at the Mabee Center. However, ORU has faced controversies, including the 2006 arrest of eight peaceful protesters rallying near campus and a 2015 incident where a student was informed she was not welcome back after her marriage to a woman, highlighting tensions around LGBTQ+ issues. Additionally, family members like Ronnie Roberts, son of the founder, have been associated with campus events.

The university continues to operate as a key institution in evangelical higher education, promoting spiritual and leadership development while navigating its historical and cultural context within American Christianity.