Tulsa World: Green cites family's faith as ORU gift impetus

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Green cites family's faith as ORU gift impetus

Mardel founder Mart Green sits at the Waterford offices of Saxum Communications in Oklahoma City on Wednesday afternoon. Green, whose family founded Hobby Lobby, has announced a $70 million conditional gift to Oral Roberts University. DREW HARMON / For the Tulsa World

By ZIVA BRANSTETTER World Projects Editor
Published: 11/29/2007 1:14 AM
Last Modified: 1/17/2008 11:26 AM

For more: Read the latest ORU stories, view the lawsuit and other documents and watch slide shows and video.

Mart Green says it was a belief in ‘‘living out faith’’ that led his family to pledge $70 million Tuesday to Oral Roberts University.

‘‘This is a Green family thing,’’ he said in a Wednesday interview with the Tulsa World. ‘‘I have been the face, I suppose, but this is a decision made by my father, my brother, my sister and the spouses to make this gift. We want to see this college go forward, but it needs to come up to 21st century standards.’’

While ORU has already received $8 million, the rest of the funds will be given based on the results of a review of ORU’s finances and oversight, Green said.

ORU also received a separate $2 million gift this week from a donor who asked to remain anonymous.

Green said that as part of his review, he is seeking advice on ‘‘what good governance looks like at universities.’’

ORU is $52 million in debt, and the Green family gift, if completed, could erase that and more.

‘‘We think the biggest issue is not the finances. That’s not the root problem. It is the lack of trust, and that’s a spiritual issue,’’ Green said.

He said his family decided to help ORU after seeing stories in the Tulsa World and other media outlets about its plight. Through a mutual friend,

his father sent word to Acting President Billy Joe Daugherty about the family’s interest in helping.

‘‘Billy Joe called my dad and said, ‘We’re actually having trouble making payroll,’ and we were grieved by that.’’

Business as ministry: At age 9, Green went to work for his father, gluing picture frames together for 7 cents apiece in the family living room.

The humble picture frame business grew into what Green jokes was a ‘‘20-year overnight success.’’

The Hobby Lobby chain his father founded now has 350 stores nationwide.

In church every Sunday and working with his father in Oklahoma City, Green learned how to integrate faith and work from an early age.

He said his father, David Green, is a preacher’s son who believed that ‘‘his ministry was his business.’’

‘‘We always see business as our ministry. That’s our gift. . . . As you succeed, it does give you a voice,’’ Green said.

Concerned about the millions of people who can’t read the Bible in their own language, Green contributes to a company that translates Bibles.

Worried about the plight of people facing issues such as AIDS, Green started a nonprofit film company to tell their stories. He returned last year from Africa, where his company, EthnoGraphic Media, filmed its latest movie.

“Miss HIV,” set for release next year, follows two contestants in the Miss HIV Pageant in Botswana.

For 10 years, Green has gone on fasts of various lengths, including one fast of 33 days on water alone. At Thanksgiving, Green ended a 40-day fast in which he had nothing but juice.

‘‘For me, it gave me a time of clarity. You listen better because obviously you’ve said ‘no’ to something you enjoy doing.’’

A family business: While his father is one of Forbes’ 400 Richest Americans, with an estimated net worth of $2 billion, Green is not a high-profile figure in Oklahoma. There are only a handful of published news stories about him.

‘‘We keep a pretty low profile,’’ Green said of his family.

At Bethany High School, Green said he was the ‘‘shyest kid in school’’ but still managed to catch the eye of a cheerleader named Diana.

The two have been married for 25 years and have three boys and one girl, ages 17-23.

The Greens live in Yukon and attend North Church, an Assemblies of God church in Oklahoma City.

Green attended Southern Nazarene College and Tomlinson College in Tennessee but left school at 19 to start a business.

His father, still trying to make his own business a success at the time, helped Green get a bank loan.

That business, Mardel, is a Christian education and supply chain that now has 26 stores in six states, including two in Tulsa.

Hobby Lobby is a craft store and not overtly Christian, an approach Green calls a ‘‘back door ministry.’’

With the Mardel stores, ‘‘every customer who came in, we could touch their lives through books, through music and pictures.’’

Both stores are closed on Sundays to allow employees time with their families.

Green said he hopes his family’s gift, if the deal is completed, spurs other people to help ORU continue its mission.

He understands that some funds may wind up settling a lawsuit filed by three former professors, but that doesn’t bother him much.

‘‘We need to work through that. We need to do what’s right by the teachers, and that’s part of our process. If somebody is wronged, they need to be right.’’

Ziva Branstetter 581-8378
ziva.branstetter@tulsaworld.com

By ZIVA BRANSTETTER World Projects Editor

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	Report Comment dtaylor, (11/29/2007 1:39:09 AM) awesome
	Report Comment parable of the talents, not tulsa (11/29/2007 2:27:37 AM) This is what happens when ORU starts to live by faith. If they do the right thing, God will honor it. Remember the parable of the talents. Remember the Battle of Jericho. Remember the Battle of Gideon. All stories have a common theme. If you do it God's way, then God will be rewarded, if you do it your way, you will receive your reward. Lets let God get the glory for this one. Now, lets also tackle our athletic recruiting policy. Shouldn't we make the school a training ground, because we have our battlefield. Why would want Satan's warriors fighting God's fight... Lets stop recruiting atheists. Lets find some of God's warriors to fight God's fight. If we don't do that, then I have a feeling it will continue to cut our legs out from under us. Please fix our athletic recruiting practices... Its killing our ministry BIG TIME. something to consider... what happens when we win one NCAA baseball tourney, or basketball tourney. does it end there? do we try to win two? what about three.... What happens when we have ORU grads in the NBA similar to Ron Artest, Rasheed Wallace, and Dennis Rodman... talk about some standard bearers for God's university... what about some other guys who didn't go to ORU... AC Green, Dwight Howard, Kelenna Azibuike... Live your destiny ORU... Fix your athletic recruitment policies... don't be scared... God WILL honor it... just step out in faith. God will get the glory... we missed out on Kelenna, b/c Nonzo said it wasn't even close to a Christian team... I hope thats changed.... somebody do something...
	Report Comment jm, tulsa (11/29/2007 4:25:58 AM) When Mart Green does his review to see ‘‘what good governance looks like at universities’’, he'll find that successful universities don't have Boards of Regents stacked with crooked TV evangelists.
	Report Comment The Oracle, Tulsa (11/29/2007 6:52:38 AM) The money will be wasted if the beggars and con men remain as regents and president.
	Report Comment Jilline, PA, (11/29/2007 6:54:29 AM) #3 Jim...get over it...you really need knowledge about other institutes before you can make such a broad comment...(perhaps you should join the BOR and enhance the system. You seem to know so much.) Regarding the Green family, you are blessed and will continue to be so for believing in the GOOD of ORU. I am going to search out a Hobby Lobby store since there are none in immediate area of PA.
	Report Comment Janie Ferrell, Greenville, SC (11/29/2007 7:10:36 AM) After having lived in Tylsa from 1980-1985, I came to love ORA and what it stood for. I was on campus many times, since we lived only 10 minutes from there. With the pictures I have recently seen of the campus and living conditions of the dorms, I can, indeed, see that the whole campus needs a face life. I applaud Hobby Lobby (my favorite craft store) for coming forth with their generous contribution. I look forward to seeing major change.
	Report Comment Duke, (12/27/2007 8:11:48 PM) I would have rather seen the Roberts family donate their own money to bail out the College. They know where it is. I do believe the Green family will be blessed by the gift and only hope that they will insist on a new name for the University and an election of a new board of Regents, There are a great number of fine preachers and scholars qualifed that have always put Christianity and education above personal gain.
	Report Comment Abraham T.Mathai, Thiruvalla, India. (12/1/2007 7:19:54 PM) PRAISE GOD FOR MR. MART GREEN'S DECISION TO HELP ORU. I DO APPRECIATE THAT MR. GREEN IS A MAN OF GOD WHO FAST REGULARLY, HIS FATHER IS A GOOD BUSINESS MAN AND GRAND FATHER WAS A PREACHER OF GOOD NEWS. I AM EVANGELIST ABRAHAM T.MATHAI FROM INDIA PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL IN INDIAN VILLAGES. GOD BLESS YOU MR. GREEN, YOU FAMILY AND BUSINESS.
	Report Comment ORU Mom, (12/2/2007 7:30:49 AM) As my son, who graduated from ORU last year commented when he told me of this news regarding the Green's help, "maybe now I will one day be able to proudly confess that I'm an ORU graduate in terms of academics." He is currently a graduate student at another highly respected university and had left ORU with a sour taste after experiencing some first hand issues with student government and administration. Although he didn't regret going to ORU, he simply felt he couldn't honestly recommend others going unless the general running of the school changed.
	Report Comment Joe-Allen Doty, Tulsa, Oklahoma (12/2/2007 10:50:31 AM) Be sure to go to the Readers Forum of the Opinion section of the Tulsa World to read Mart Green's self-written article.
	Report Comment qqq, (12/4/2007 4:32:54 PM) Mart Green is going to need all the help he can get to carry through reform at ORU. He will need support especially from faculty, alumni, and current students/parents. . If Hobby Lobby has poor employees, that is a problem, but it is wrong, not to mention illegal, to discriminate based on religion. . That said, it would be interesting to know how the Green's businesses compare to other, similar, businesses in salary and benefits.
	Report Comment Fifty Dollar Fine, (12/6/2007 1:57:05 AM) #78 Wes - " I know for my wife applied there and because she was a Christian she was not given a job at Hobby Lobby." . LOL! Why do Christians expect that people are going to give them jobs just for being Christians? . Come on, people.
	Report Comment Clyde Shearer, Mt. Dora, FL (12/6/2007 9:09:52 AM) Truly, the Green Family is Gods Men of the hour. God still raises men and women to act on His behalf! Forget RR & LR. They will go the way of Jim Baker, who by the way has been restored to a newness of Christianity, like it or not, Richard and Lindsey needs to confess of their "whatever" and walk in a newness of life. I personnely feel "sorry" for Oral and Evelyn also. Evelyn don't have to witness this downfall though.
	Report Comment LP, Tulsa (11/30/2007 7:19:31 PM) 44. 11/29/2007 3:21:01 PM, Kevin, Tulsa a fool and his money are easily parted. Yes, my son, but a tax deduction has just been acquired.
	Report Comment doright, Red Oak TX (11/30/2007 7:57:00 PM) Horray but change the name! The only thing that soulf reamain ORAL is the voice of the sutdents and faculty. Shades of Jim and Tammey Bakker, Jimmy Swaggert were never forgotten and nor will the scandal plagued Oral Roberts. Get rid of the name and move into a true professionl educational mode. The name of man is a curse. Only the name of God can be upheld without possibilty of repute. CHANGE THE NAME. How about Greenway Univ. It's a green world we now live in as our only hope of survival and ORU's. Touche!
	Report Comment Alan, (11/30/2007 8:41:55 PM) To Mr. Mart Green: I respect your intentions and feel your gift will do good things. But, You must do more. You must remove the venomous and pathological Mr. Hagee from the ORU board. Absent that, your gift simply fuels hate in the world. Best Regards,
	Report Comment Someone who knows, (11/30/2007 11:45:34 PM) #57 The only BOR's that were not at the meeting were Duplantis, Hinn, and Dollar.
	Report Comment DJ Clay Clark, Tulsa, OK (12/1/2007 1:32:56 PM) ORU is a great school, I met some great people and my beautiful wife their. I completely agree the LR & RR are completely disengaged with reality...Once Lindsey & Richard are replaced the SCHOOL WILL ONCE AGAIN RISE TO PROMINENCE, because it will be honoring God...I feel so strongly about this that I put together another Parody Song about the latest RICHARD debacle and ORU'S impending return to prominence. You can find it by googling ORU Slim Shady. - DJ Clay 1/2 of the "Original" ORU SLIM SHADY.
	Report Comment Wes, Cleveland,Tennessee (12/1/2007 2:42:10 PM) I am from the City of Cleveland, Tn. where Mr. Green attended Tomlinson College. It was a real good school run by the Church of God of Prophecy. Most people that attended this school were dedicated Christian people. For this I give Mart Green an A +. However what about the treatment of the Hobby Lobby employees? Low wages, few benefits and alot of NON CHRISTIANS working there. I know for my wife applied there and because she was a Christian she was not given a job at Hobby Lobby. This was very sad to think this is a store closed on Sunday so employees could go to church on Sunday when in Fact very few working there went to church. The lady that interviewed my wife as the Store Mgr was NOT a Christian, BAD ATTITUDE. Was it just pressure of her job? I don't think so, Christians are better than this. I hope this decison of the Greens to sit on the Board of ORU works out. Unlike their little control of what goes on intheir Hobby Lobby stores.
	Report Comment Micaiah, (11/30/2007 9:06:37 AM) 2: Yeah ... FAITH. Everybody has faith, but the validity of faith is determined by its object. Charismatism's faith is rooted in greed. It is a religion of ENTITLEMENT--name it and claim it--whether it's for health or money or sex or whatever. Also, their theology is based on selective Scripture, and anyone can make a case for any nutcase religion based on picking and choosing verses. Yes, of course, there was Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. There were the raisings from the dead. But very little is heard about being left sick in Troas. Nothing is heard about suffering, being impoverished, even dying for Christ. The theology of entitlement simply doesn't allow for it--if it's god can't be wrapped around one's little finger, he's not worth the worship. Of course, the Green family are not theologians, and that mitigates against their guilt. So we should point our Berean fingers at ORU's BOR and its Theology department for foisting a false theology upon Christendom. It's bad enough the Green family, like many under the Charismatic industry, gets to part with tens of millions of dollars over its "faith." But think of them and many more who are spiritually bilked because of not hearing the whole counsel of God!
	Report Comment Observer, (11/30/2007 10:09:03 AM) @#67 - Micaiah "Charismatism's faith is rooted in greed. It is a religion of ENTITLEMENT--name it and claim it--whether it's for health or money or sex or whatever." It can be for sex!? Are you kidding? I have never in my life heard any preacher no matter how notorious claiming to be able to name and claim sex! Either you have no idea what you're talknig about or you are trying to build a pathetic strawman that you feel capable of knocking over. Give me a break!
	Report Comment '91 grad, (11/30/2007 10:33:41 AM) Lana… (I hate to single you out… but actually I feel you represent many others of like mind)… you are not even loving the Roberts enough to hold them accountable for their own mishandling of things. A true friend, would have the boldness to point out truth & error to another. I will go as far to say some of the onus must lie in the hands of those who have placed them on such an esteemed pedestal, how could they not feel elite? Certainly we can admire great men & women of God who are using their talents & gifts for the Lord & furthering His kingdom. But don’t be an ostrich hiding your head in the sand, afraid to see the frailties of these humans. Be wise… like a serpent & harmless… like a dove. You are being harmful to turn your blind eye & not acknowledge some severe problems that are doing great damage to the body of Christ as well as the ever watchful “world.” I believe everyone is capable of getting “back on track” through the power of the H.S. But that is where you should be focusing your energies & comments. Pray for personal restoration & humility for the Roberts family. I too appreciate what good they have accomplished, but there is danger that the mistakes could overshadow the good if things aren’t made right. Thank you Mart Green… and thank you Lord for the generous gift.
	Report Comment ~sojourner, Adair (11/30/2007 10:35:59 AM) 68. 11/30/2007 10:09:03 AM, Observer "..I have never in my life heard any preacher no matter how notorious claiming to be able to name and claim sex!" ___ Then you need to go listen to Juanita Bynum. lol
	Report Comment In The Last Days, Tulsa (11/30/2007 12:14:28 PM) In the last days (christian) brothers will betray (christian) brothers thinking they are doing God's service. After all I have read and heard concerning the situation at ORU has made be believe God knew what HE was talking about and the Bible is TRUE.
	Report Comment By Grace Alone, (11/30/2007 6:51:49 PM) Lana, There are MANY colleges that require chapel attendance..on all sides of the religious spectrum. From AG to Lutheran. There are many colleges, even seminaries, and seminaries are places that turn out pastors and other church workers for God's service, that are run efficiently and on budget and have worked diligently to develop sustaining endowments. Some such places even provide free food and clothing for their students who attend. ORU could do much better by it's students and faculty. The reason why you don't see these colleges and seminaries in the news is because they aren't scandal ridden. They just quietly go about turning out workers for God's Kingdom, year after year, decade after decade, worker after worker. Seems like a state for ORU to aspire to, don't you think?

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