Oral Roberts’ Empire Lays Off 250 Workers

Oral Roberts’ evangelical empire, besieged by financial problems and declining donations, has laid off more than 10% of its 2,300 employees.

The cost-cutting move is the latest attempt by the Tulsa, Okla.-based ministry to recover from more than two years of financial hardships despite two dramatic fund-raising pleas by Roberts that netted $19 million. Roberts’ son, Richard, said 250 employees, mostly support staff, have been dismissed.

The cuts came as an accreditation team this week investigated the university’s medical school. Seven of 10 department chairmen and the interim medical school dean have resigned or been fired since March. The number of staff doctors at the affiliated City of Faith Medical and Research Center has also dwindled from 118 two years ago to 52 today.