December 15

Born in 1417 into the powerful Oxenstierna family, Jöns Bengtsson rose to become Archbishop of Uppsala in 1448. He emerged as a key political figure by opposing Danish control over Sweden within the Kalmar Union. He served as regent from 1457 to 1460 and again briefly in 1467, striving to assert Swedish autonomy. During his tenure, he navigated conflicts between the church and nobility while leading military actions against Danish forces. His political career was marked by tension and shifting alliances until his death in 1467. Oxenstierna’s legacy highlights the complex interplay of religion and governance in medieval Scandinavia.

Born in Wakefield in 1642, Hickes studied at Cambridge before entering the Church of England. He served as Archdeacon of Yorkshire and later as Non-Juring Bishop of Thetford. A dedicated scholar, he authored the first comprehensive Anglo-Saxon grammar, "Institutiones Grammaticae Anglo-Saxonicae," and collected valuable manuscripts of Old Norse literature. His work laid the foundation for modern medieval studies. Despite political and religious upheavals, Hickes remained committed to scholarship until his death in 1715.

Born in 1745 in Liozna, Shneur Zalman became a leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism. He established the Chabad philosophy, emphasizing intellectual study and mystical devotion. His magnum opus, the "Tanya," articulates a systematic approach to Hasidic teachings and Jewish law. Zalman served as chief rabbi in various communities and traveled extensively to spread his movement’s ideas. Despite imprisonment and challenges, he secured support for Jewish autonomy under the Russian Empire. He passed away in 1812, leaving a spiritual legacy that continues worldwide.

Wilfred Kitching was born in 1893 and became a Salvation Army officer in 1910. He rose through the ranks, serving in various leadership roles across Europe and North America. In 1954, he was appointed the 7th General of The Salvation Army, a position he held until 1963. During his tenure, he oversaw significant expansion of the church's social services and international missions. He emphasized youth programs and community development. After retiring, he continued to write on theology and organizational leadership. He passed away in 1977, leaving a legacy of spiritual and social impact.

Born in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, Oral Roberts began his ministry in the 1940s, emphasizing faith healing and consumer-friendly sermons. He founded the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association in 1947 and later established Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a center for Christian higher education. Roberts was one of the first religious leaders to embrace television, hosting popular programs that reached millions weekly. His energetic preaching and fundraising techniques helped shape modern evangelical media. Despite controversies over financial practices, his impact on American Christianity endures through ORU and his evangelistic legacy.

Harold Camping co-founded the Family Radio network and built a following through his Christian radio broadcasts. He authored several books on biblical interpretation and became famous for predicting the end of the world in 1994, 2011, and again in October 2011. His most publicized forecast was May 21, 2011, which generated international media attention when it failed. Despite skepticism and criticism, Camping remained steadfast in his beliefs and apologized to his followers in 2012. He passed away on December 15, 2013, leaving behind a controversial legacy in modern evangelical broadcasting.