You’re probably familiar with Our Daily Bread for its inspiring stories that draw on the life-changing wisdom of God’s Word. But do you know about how and when this popular devotional started, and how it has evolved over the years? Rick DeHaan, the former President of Our Daily Bread Ministries, tells us a little more about how this little booklet that has encouraged many over the years was born and how it and the ministry have changed (and not changed).
(1) It all began with a radio program . . . in the basement.
Our Daily Bread Ministries had its beginnings in a very different format—on the radio. It all began in 1938, when a physician named Dr. M. R. DeHaan started teaching from the Bible from the basement of his own home. With his gravelly voice, the 30-minute radio program, called “Detroit Bible Class”, quickly captured the attention of listeners and soon, the program was airing on national networks throughout the United States and Canada. The program was later renamed “Radio Bible Class”.
In 1956, the first Our Daily Bread devotional was published to complement Dr. DeHaan’s teachings. This devotional became so popular that Radio Bible Class (which later became RBC Ministries) was renamed Our Daily Bread Ministries in 2015.
(2) Three generations of the DeHaan family served the ministry.
After Dr. DeHaan passed away in 1965, his son Richard took over the ministry, helming it until 1985, when his grandson Mart took over. Mart’s younger brother Rick took over in 2011 and served as President and CEO until his retirement in 2021.
Rick remembers listening to his grandfather teach when he was five years old. “He was a very passionate teacher. He believed in what he taught, and people’s lives were changed as a result of his teachings, both in the local area and around the world,” he says. “On the day that my grandfather passed away, he got up in the morning, recorded a message in his home studio, played a game with my uncle in the afternoon, and passed away quietly in his chair. He was faithful in preaching the Scriptures till the day he died.”
Rick DeHaan (left) and Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific, Tan Meng Poo.
(3) Different gifts are needed in ministry work.
With three generations running the ministry – though not all at the same time – conflict can happen over differences in personality, style, or methods. The DeHaan family were no different. “My grandfather was a strong, flamboyant and larger-than-life character, while my father had a more soft-spoken and gentle personality,” recalls Rick. But by God’s grace there was reconciliation in the end.
“At the beginning, my father felt that he didn’t necessarily have all the giftings for the ministry, but he knew and believed he was called to the work. He faithfully obeyed, and I saw how God blessed us and grew the ministry tremendously.” God used Richard’s gentleness, integrity and trustworthiness to reach many people, just as He is using Rick’s management, operational, administrative and human resource skills today.
In 2013, Rick (seated, second from right) was in Malaysia for a meeting with directors from around the world.
(4) The ministry has adopted new formats over the years.
Our Daily Bread Ministries has adapted to the times by evolving over the years. By the time Dr. DeHaan passed away in 1965, his radio program had expanded to 600 stations worldwide. But when Richard took over, he ushered the ministry into the television era, starting a weekly TV program in 1968 that explored topics of faith. “My father had a real passion and desire to get into television,” says Rick of the beginnings of Day of Discovery.
And when the Internet era began, Our Daily Bread Ministries was quick to join the online platforms and meet readers where they were. Rick recalls the story of how a student at Calvin College (now Calvin University) posted Our Daily Bread material online, and it “went viral”. Today, our resources are available not just in print, on radio, and on television, but also on websites, podcasts, mobile apps, and social media like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Rick visiting the Malaysia office in October 2019 and meeting with our co-workers.
(5) Our Daily Bread is now available in 150 countries.
From a small radio program in a basement in Detroit, Our Daily Bread Ministries has grown to become a global ministry. Today, the ministry has over 37 offices around the world distributing more than 6 million resources in 150 countries. We remain a non-denominational, non-profit organisation relying on donations from churches and individuals.
God has enabled the ministry to reach out to people in every corner of the world, and to encourage, comfort, and strengthen millions of people daily with His Word. May He continue to guide and lead us to be a blessing to many more!
Volunteers are the backbone of our ministry, helping to pack and distribute our resources to spread God’s Word to as many people as possible.
“Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.” (Psalm 48:10)
