TULSA, Okla. -- When Oral Roberts dedicates his controversial City of Faith hospital Sunday, at least 10,000 of his followers will be on hand to see the result of what the evangelist has called a vision from God.
The $120 million hospital, which Roberts said is designed to combine prayer and medicine, was financed solely through private contributions from the thousands of 'partners' who support his ministries.
'We expect at least 10,000 people but there's no way of knowing how many more will come,' said Debbie Osteen, a hospital spokeswoman. 'We definitely expect a good crowd.'
The followers will be flocking to see the glimmering three-tower hospital, clinic and research center that make up Roberts' City of Faith.
The structure includes a 30-story hospital tower, a 20-story research center and a 60-story clinic, making the City of Faith Tulsa's tallest building.
Adorning the center's entrance is a 60-foot pair of hands, described by Roberts as 'the hand of prayer and the hand of medicine joined together.'
Country music star Barbara Mandrell will open the dedication ceremony by singing the National Anthem.
Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh, Tulsa Mayor Jim Inhofe and Rep. James R. Jones, D-Okla., will join the evangelist and other Oral Roberts University officials as the day's speakers.
Sunday's dedication marks the end of years of controversy and court battles since the evangelist announced in 1977 that God told him to build the hospital in conjunction with ORU's medical education program.
Opponents said the facility was not needed and the evangelist had to go through the state Supreme Court to have a certificate of need approved.
Roberts told followers a year ago that a 900-foot figure of Jesus came to him as he prayed near the construction site and assured him the hospital would be built.
He was publicly ridiculed, and some people accused him of creating the story to extract additional contributions for the hospital. Some of the criticism came from other Christian ministers.
The medical center Roberts will unveil Sunday has been constructed 'debt free' through private contributions made since Roberts announced he would build the hospital, said hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr. James Winslow.
An Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association spokesman confirmed Roberts received nearly $5 million immediately after he sent out contribution letters.
Initially, the City of Faith will have facilities to serve 294 patients. By 1988 Roberts hopes to have the facility approved as a 777-bed hospital employing 4,000 to 5,000 people.
By then, Winslow said, expenditures for the facility could exceed $240 million, with the hospital utilizing a $100 million annual budget.
