Before formally commencing his recent sermon at South L.A.’s Crenshaw Christian Center (CCC), Dr. William M. Wilson closed his eyes in deep concentration and appealed for divine guidance. The president of world-famous Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma pleaded so passionately, his voice quavered with emotion.
“Please Lord, soften this message,” he said in reference to the sermon he was about to deliver, “it’s a tough message.”
The subsequent “tough message” was a powerful and superbly paced discourse on how to remain principled in a corrupt and ever-tempting world. It was an evangelical speech that struck all the right chords, from sage scriptural quotes and illustrative parables to gentle humor and fever-pitch exhortations. Entitled “The Power of Integrity,” Dr. Wilson’s sermon prompted everything from old-style whooping and testifying, to approving applause and hysterical laughter from CCC’s congregation.
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Dr. Wilson’s appearance was the latest unforgettable experience to result from CCC’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee Celebration, and the visiting pastor/administrator was all but afforded red carpet treatment. “Our speaker today is so amazing that he needs two people to introduce him,” CCC pastor Dr. Frederick K. Price said, who joined CCC President and CEO Angela Evans in welcoming Dr. Wilson. Pastor Price went on to reveal how, as a child, he was first exposed to Dr. Wilson through the university president’s frequent appearances on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. “I guess I was being prepared (for the ministry),” Pastor Price said.
He couldn’t have picked a better mentor. The fourth president of Oral Roberts University (ORU), Wilson has overseen the largest campus expansion in ORU’s history. Since assuming office in 2013 ORU enrollment has exploded to over 6,000 students during his decade-long tenure. Represented by students from 150 nations, ORU ranks today among the top 25 most diverse universities in America. Mrs. Angela Evans recently completed eight (8) years of service as an esteemed ORU board member and high-level contributor to its success.
Throughout his CCC sermon, Dr. Wilson demonstrated the leadership mentality that has made him a global evangelical dignitary. Dressed in a crisp blue suit and striped tie, he started off by offering several quotes from the Book of Proverbs, including verse 10:9 which states: “Whoever walks in integrity, walks securely. Whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
From there, Dr. Wilson borrowed lessons from the Bible and beyond. He related the Biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, devout Christians from the Book of Daniel who refused to bow before King Nebuchadnezzar’s image because it would violate their loyalty to God. Thrown into a fiery furnace for their defiance, the three emerge unscathed because God had rewarded their faith. “When everybody else bowed, they remained standing…because they had integrity,” said Dr. Wilson.
The university president offered more illustrations of integrity, including the Chinese folktale “The Emperor’s Seed,” in which a young man named Ling becomes heir to a throne by demonstrating his incorruptibility. Dr. Wilson also referenced Gnosticism, the ancient religious idea that belief in God alone is enough to earn one eternal salvation.
“We have a lot of people who believe that as long as I believe in Jesus and love him, I can live any old way, and it just doesn’t matter,” Dr. Wilson said. “And so, what happens is that they develop a life of duplicity – living one way around their Christian friends…and another way Monday through Saturday at work, and at home.”
Dr. Wilson explained that having sound moral judgment and character prepares one to be an authority. “Integrity allows you to carry the burden and pressure of leadership without crumbling,” he said. “In worldly leadership, leaders go up the ladder…and most of the time, they do anything they can to get to the top…but Christianity’s not that way. Jesus said if you want to be a leader among God’s people, you’ve got to be servant of all.”
Dr. Wilson prefaced his sermon by honoring late CCC founder, Apostle Frederick K.C. Price, along with his son and current pastor Dr. Frederick K. Price and Lady Angel Price. “Many ministries look really good until you get close to them,” Dr. Wilson said. “After you’re with them awhile you go, ‘not so good.’ But I want to tell you…the closer you get to the Price family, the better they look. Give God praise for such a life of honor, and grace, and integrity.”
Dr. Wilson saved some of his warmest words for CCC co-founder and matriarch, Dr. Betty Price, who was sitting in the sanctuary’s front row. The ORU president suggested that Dr. Betty should be called “Saint Betty” in acknowledgement of her lifelong service to God and people.
“I’m an old white guy, and you’ve adopted me into your family here,” Dr. Wilson joked, before sincerely concluding: “it’s such an honor.”
Earlier in the service, Pastor Price updated the congregation on his health. A recent doctor’s visit revealed that his back pain was treatable – “The doctor said, ‘your spine and your back look great…almost flawless,’” Pastor Price reported. He joked that before visiting the physician, he had suffered “40 days and 40 nights of pain,” a reference to Noah’s Ark from the Book of Genesis.
Crenshaw Christian Center’s 50th Anniversary Celebration concludes with a November 26 visit and message from guest speaker, Bishop Wiley Jackson. The service will also include a special Remembrance Celebration of Apostle Frederick K.C. Price. All are welcome.
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