Church of God Honors Spirit-Filled Educator

The Church of God, based in Cleveland, Tennessee, recently recognized Oral Roberts University President Dr. William M. Wilson for his Distinguished Leadership to Spirit-empowered ministry and scholarship.

The International Executive Committee of the Church of God surprised Dr. Wilson and his wife Lisa with the proclamation during a visit to the ORU campus.

Dr. Timothy Hill, general overseer for the Church of God, told Dr. Wilson, “The proclamation comes from the hearts of all the committee members to you and Lisa for all you have done for the Church of God.”

The committee honored Dr. Wilson, an ordained bishop of the Church of God, for his 40 years of ministry as an accomplished leader, pastor, evangelist, author and scholar. They noted his work as a Bible teacher hosting the weekly television program, World Impact with Dr. Billy Wilson, his service as executive officer for the 2006 Azusa Street Centennial and his advisory support as a cabinet member of Mission America Coalition (Lausanne USA), the Pentecostal World Fellowship and the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. They also honored him for launching Empowered21, a global relational network with fourteen regional cabinets from six continents, connecting denominations, ministry leaders, scholars and next-generation voices to give focus on the power and presence of God’s Spirit.

The committee also honored Dr. Wilson for his leadership at ORU as its fourth president. He is credited with completing the university’s Global Learning Center debt-free, launching construction of the ONEOK Sports Complex, also debt-free, and numerous other renovations on campus. He is celebrated for establishing educational alliances with international academic institutions, overseeing enrollment of the largest class in more than a decade, promoting alumni engagement and completing an historical financial campaign by raising $50 million during ORU’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

“I’m honored. I’m grateful and love all of you,” said Dr. Wilson after receiving the recognition. He went on to tell the committee members, “I consider your friendships a treasure on our journey together. God puts people in our lives all along that journey, and all of you have been an important part of mine.”

ORU was excited to welcome the Church of God Executive Committee to campus. Dr. Hill was joined by Dr. Raymond Culpepper, Dr. J. David Stephens, Dr. David Ramirez and Dr. John D. Childers. {eoa}