The Abundant Life Station, 2013

Mixed media, 72 x 22 x 14 inches. Collection of the artist.

The Abundant Life television program premiered in 1954 with Oklahoma born faith healer, Oral Roberts (1918 – 2009) at the helm. Roberts was a pioneer televangelist who attracted a vast viewership. At the age of 29, according to Roberts, his bible fell open to the Third Epistle of John where verse two read, “I wish above things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” Roberts took this as a sign from God and the very next day he bought a new ragtop Buick and hit the road with a faith healing crusade, traveling the country, plying his craft in a large mobile tent that sat 3,000 on folding metal chairs. In 1947 he began broadcasting his revivals on the radio and later went on to his televised ministry in the Abundant Life, reaching 80% of the United States by 1957.