$64,910,282 USD^[3]Expenses (2023)$66,043,558 USD^[4]Websitehttps://odb.org/Detroit Bible Class, Radio Bible Class, RBC Ministries^[1]

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 Oceania.

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

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

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

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.^{[citation needed]}

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

Our Daily Bread Ministries have 35 offices world-wide:^[19]

Notable teaching staff

As of June 2020, the following scholars have authored courses:^[20][21]

References

External links

• Official website