Summary
Our Daily Bread Ministries (formerly RBC Ministries) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin DeHaan in 1938. The organization is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread which airs in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Australia and Oceana.
| Formation | 1938[1] |
|---|---|
| Founder | Dr. Martin DeHaan |
| Founded at | Detroit |
| Type | NGO |
| EIN: 38-1613981 | |
| Headquarters | Grand Rapids, Michigan[2] |
President | Dr. Matt Lucas |
Revenue (2023) | $64,910,282 USD[3] |
| Expenses (2023) | $66,043,558 USD[4] |
| Website | https://odb.org/ |
Formerly called | Detroit Bible Class, Radio Bible Class, RBC Ministries[1] |
The ministry used to produce radio and television as well as an online University program called “Our Daily Bread University” (formerly Christian University GlobalNet).
History edit
As a Christian organization, it was originally called the "Detroit Bible Class" when it was founded in 1938. It later became known as "Radio Bible Class." In 1994, the name was changed to RBC Ministries. In 2015, the name was changed to its present name Our Daily Bread Ministries.[5]
Its founder, Dr. Martin R. DeHaan, led the organization until 1965. Richard DeHaan took over in 1965 and led the organization until 1985. Richard's son, Mart DeHaan, was the president until October 5, 2011, when the presidency was handed over to his grandson, Martin, who later handed it to his younger brother, Rick. Rick retired in 2021.[6] Dr. Matt Lucas is the current president as of 2023.[7]
Courses edit
Our Daily Bread University (ODBU), is an online learning platform offering a collection of courses provided by the ministries. It provides online resources at varying levels for topics such as Bible, Theology, Leadership, and Christian Apologetics.[8] Its courses provide reflection questions, tests, and a Certificate of Completion for each completed course.[9]
ODBU partners with other organizations—such as the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)—in fulfilling Christian Philosophy of Education and other continuing education requirements,[10][11] and NewWay Ministries. The ministry expands its reach under the name Our Daily Bread University through additions of courses from global leaders, translations of the core curricula into multiple languages, and partnerships with on-site education and training centers.[12] All courses are provided in English and the organization has options for a number of its courses in Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic.[13]
Media edit
The publishing arm of Our Daily Bread Ministries is called Our Daily Bread Publishing.[14] The ministry publishes one of the most widely read devotional booklets printed, with over 10 million readers per issue, in 37 languages.[15][16] The daily devotionals are also distributed via short radio spots. The same dual publishing method is used for My Utmost for His Highest, a collection of writings by Oswald Chambers. Our Daily Bread Ministries also publishes a series of booklets called The Discovery Series. The ministry's radio show, Discover the Word, originated with Haddon Robinson, Alice Matthews and Mart De Haan.
The ministries produced a television program, Day of Discovery, which aired on stations throughout the United States and Canada. Many of the programs were hosted by the founder's grandson, Mart DeHaan. Originating in 1968, it was one of the longest running Christian television programs in the United States. At first, it was filmed on location at Cypress Gardens, in Winter Haven, Florida, but later used various locations around the world. The Day of Discovery programs are also available online.[17]
Our Daily Bread Ministries also publishes the Discovery Series, a set of booklets focusing on Bible-based topics relevant to contemporary issues.[18]
Locations edit
Our Daily Bread Ministries have 35 offices world-wide:[19]
Notable teaching staff edit
As of June 2020, the following scholars have authored courses:[20][21]
- Craig Blomberg
- Steve Brown
- Henry Cloud
- Paul Gardner
- Douglas K. Stuart
- John Townsend
- John Trent
- Bruce Wilkinson
- Darrell L. Bock
- J. Oliver Buswell
- Harvie M. Conn
- John J. Davis
- John Feinberg
- John M. Frame
- Richard C. Gamble
- John Gerstner
- W. Robert Godfrey
- John D. Hannah
- R. Laird Harris
- Harold Hoehner
- Robert Kolb
- Walter Kaiser Jr.
- William D. Mounce
- Roger Nicole
- Peter Toon
- Bruce Waltke
- John C. Whitcomb
- Leon J. Wood
- Wilbur M. Smith
- John Stott
References edit
- ^ a b "Timeline". Our Daily Bread.
- ^ "United States". 13 April 2011. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- ^ "Charity Navigator - Rating for Our Daily Bread Ministries".
- ^ "Charity Navigator - Rating for Our Daily Bread Ministries".
- ^ "Spread the Word". 16 December 2014.
- ^ "RBC Ministries shuffles leadership roles". 15 October 2011.
- ^ "https://read.odb.org/cbe-press-release/". read.odb.org. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
{{cite web}}: External link in|title= - ^ “Who We Are.” Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- ^ “Subscription Options.” Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- ^ "Options for Completing the Christian Philosophy of Education." Association of Christian Schools International. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
- ^ "How to Earn Bible CEUs." Association of Christian Schools International. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
- ^ “ODBU Brochure.” Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- ^ "Language Options." Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- ^ "Our Daily Bread Publishing". ourdailybreadpublishing.org. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
- ^ "Our Daily Bread devotional". Our Daily Bread.
- ^ "Tyndale House Publishers".
- ^ "Day of Discovery". Day of Discovery.
- ^ "Discovery Series". Discovery Series.
- ^ "Locations". Our Daily Bread Ministries. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
- ^ “Meet Our Professors.” Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- ^ “Meet Our Legacy Professors.” Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
External links edit
- Official website