Dr. William M. Wilson
As President of the historic, globally recognized Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK, Dr. William M. Wilson is leading the mission to develop Holy Spirit-empowered leaders through whole person education to impact the world.
With over four decades of executive leadership experience, Wilson is recognized globally for his unwavering ethics in leadership and as a champion for new generations of Spirit-empowered leaders. Through his unique ability to foster global partnerships, Wilson is instrumental in uniting leaders from various cultures, ethnicities, and spheres of influence.
Wilson served on the ORU Board of Trustees as Vice Chair for five years until his election as the fourth President in June 2013. Since taking office, Wilson has piloted the largest campus expansion in the University’s history. Under his leadership, ORU opened the Global Learning Center, a re-engineered 54,000 square-foot television studio that features augmented/virtual reality learning and supports global instruction. Wilson also spearheaded a campus improvement plan that included the contemporary $10 million apartment-style student housing Niko Njotorahardjo Hall. Wilson was responsible for the visionary purchase and transformation of a 100,000 square-foot venue into ORU’s Nursing and Engineering Complex and oversaw the completion of the ONEOK Sports Complex, one of Tulsa’s top collegiate track and tennis facilities. These improvements were funded in part by the University’s $50 million 50th Anniversary campaign, one of the President’s successful efforts to expand ORU while remaining debt-free.
Most recently, President Wilson completed Phase I of the “Whole Leaders for the Whole World” campaign, raising $77 million for scholarships, three new buildings including a campus Welcome Center, Peggy V. Helmerich Media Arts Center, the J.D. McKean Library, and the David and Barbara Green Centre for Global Leadership. An additional $5 million was raised for the new Fenimore & Fisher College of Business which includes a fully operational Capital Markets Trading Floor. In addition, $21 million was raised for the Mike Carter Athletic Center and a substantial renovation of the Mabee Center Arena including new seating, a spectacular concourse, and additional suites.
Phase II of the “Whole Leaders for the Whole World” campaign is underway, raising $50 million for a new dining hall, residence halls (one each for men and women), additional residential renovations, Quest First Scholarships, and Quest International Scholarships.
During Wilson’s tenure, ORU’s enrollment has reached unprecedented and historic numbers. Since Wilson assumed office in 2013, the student body has grown annually, welcoming the largest incoming class in the Fall 2024 semester. ORU’s student body is represented with students from 150 nations, earning the ranking as one of the top 25 most diverse universities in America.
Beyond ORU, Wilson serves as the Global Chair for Empowered21 (E21), an organization influencing the future of the global Spirit-empowered movement. E21 is recognized as the world’s largest Spirit-empowered relational network, bringing together ministry leaders, scholars, evangelists, and next-generation voices who collectively represent over 650 million Christians worldwide. Since 2010, E21 has expanded exponentially with 14 regional cabinets around the world and numerous working groups, including the Global Evangelist Alliance (GEA), Global Prayer Alliance, NextGen Network, Global Network of Spirit-empowered Scholars, E21 Worship Alliance, and the E21 Women’s Alliance.
Wilson has been instrumental in creating and communicating the EveryOne initiative – joining denominations, para-church networks, and evangelistic ministries from around the world, calling on the global church to make every effort to get the Gospel to every person on earth.
EveryOne Asia, part of the effort to mobilize a new era of evangelism and fulfill the Great Commission through the power of the Holy Spirit by Pentecost 2033, was held at the Sentul International Convention Centre in Jakarta, Indonesia. The monumental event united over 11,000 participants from 46 countries across six continents. The conference attracted a young generation passionate to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone. Additionally, over 83,000 unique users joined online, producing more than 900,000 views from 130 nations. The Asian Cabinet of Empowered21 sponsored the conference which inspired attendees to return to their communities with renewed passion and commitment to sharing the Gospel.
Wilson serves as Chair of the historic Pentecostal World Fellowship and as an at-large member of the board of the National Association of Evangelicals. He also holds a leadership position with the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce and is the Chair of the Summit League President’s Council. Wilson served as the executive officer for the 2006 Azusa Street Centennial, which drew more than 50,000 people from 112 nations to Los Angeles. He forged a national ecumenical coalition with more than 250 denominations and parachurch ministries through the Awakening America Alliance, founding the national 9-11 prayer gathering, Cry Out America.
A sought-after Bible communicator, his weekly television program, "World Impact with Dr. Billy Wilson," inspires and empowers viewers from a biblical worldview and can presently be seen in over 150 nations in multiple languages.
Wilson has authored several books, including A-Z Guide: Marriage Recovery, A-Z Guide: Sexual Intimacy in Marriage, The Parenthood Plan, The Exclusive Claims of Jesus Christ, Today’s Church: A Look at Yesterday’s Church to See Today’s Church More Clearly, Foundations of Faith, As the Waters Cover the Sea, (with Dr. Vinson Synan), Generation Z: Born for the Storm, The Power of One, the revised and updated Fasting Forward, and soon to be released revision of Father Cry.
A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Western Kentucky University, as well as a Master of Arts and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Wilson has also participated in numerous ongoing educational opportunities including the Harvard Institute for University Presidents. He is an ordained Bishop with the Church of God, Cleveland, TN.
Wilson and his wife Lisa have two children. Their son Ashley and his wife Jamie have three children, and their daughter Sara and her husband Shaun have four children. The Wilson family resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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