| Our Daily Bread Ministries | |
| Formation: | 1938[1] |
| Formerly: | Detroit Bible Class, Radio Bible Class, RBC Ministries |
| Founder: | Martin DeHaan |
| Founding Location: | Detroit |
| Type: | NGO |
| Tax Id: | EIN: 38-1613981 |
| Headquarters: | Grand Rapids, Michigan[2] |
| Leader Title: | President |
| Leader Name: | Matt Lucas |
| Revenue: | $64,910,282 USD[3] |
| Revenue Year: | 2023 |
| Expenses: | $66,043,558 USD[4] |
| Expenses Year: | 2023 |
| Website: | https://odb.org/ |
Our Daily Bread Ministries is a Christian organization founded by Martin De Haan in 1938. It is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has over 600 employees. The organization produces several devotional publications, which are read in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Australia, and Oceania.
The ministry used to produce radio, television, and an online University program called "Our Daily Bread University".
Originally called the "Detroit Bible Class", the organization would later change its name to the "Radio Bible Class", which was shortened to "RBC Ministries" in 1994. In 2015 it was renamed again, this time as "Our Daily Bread Ministries".[5]
Its founder, Martin R. DeHaan, led the organization until 1965. Richard DeHaan took over in 1965 and led the organization until 1985, when his son, Mart DeHaan, became president. Mart DeHaan served from 1985 until October 5, 2011, when the presidency was passed to his grandson, Martin, and later, Martin's younger brother, Rick. Rick retired in 2021, as the last of the DeHaan family presidents.[6] As of 2023, Matt Lucas is the current president.[7]
Our Daily Bread University (ODBU) is an online learning platform offering a collection of courses provided by ministries. It provides online resources at varying levels for topics such as the Bible, Theology, Leadership, and Christian Apologetics.[8] Its courses provide reflection questions, tests, and completion certificates for each course.[9]
ODBU partners with other organizations—such as the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)—to fulfill the Christian Philosophy of Education, other continuing education requirements,[10] [11] and New Way Ministries. The ministry expands its reach under the name Our Daily Bread University by adding courses from global leaders, translating core curricula into multiple languages, and partnerships with on-site education and training centers.[12] All courses are in English, and the organization has options for several Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic classes.[13]
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.
"Our Daily Bread Ministries" produced a television program, Day of Discovery, which aired on stations throughout the United States and Canada. The founder's grandson and former president, Mart DeHaan, hosted many of the programs. 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]
Our Daily Bread Ministries have 35 offices worldwide, in the following locations:[19]
As of June 2020, the following scholars have authored courses:[20] [21]