Max Lucado (born January 11, 1955) is an American author
"Lucado set a record by concurrently placing seven different Word titles on the CBA hardcover bestseller list in March and April 1997. In 1994, Lucado became the only author to have 11 of his 12 books in print simultaneously appear on paperback, hardcover, and children's CBA bestseller lists. A-Max Lucado title has appeared on the CBA hardcover bestseller list every month for the last seven years." and minister at Oak Hills Church (formerly the Oak Hills Church of Christ) in

San Antonio, Texas San Antonio ( ; Spanish for "Anthony of Padua, Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Greater San Antonio. San Antonio is the List of Texas metropolitan areas, third-largest metropolitan area in Texa ...

Life

Lucado was born in

San Angelo, Texas San Angelo ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Tom Green County, Texas, United States. Its location is in the Concho Valley, a region of West Texas between the Permian Basin (North America), Permian Basin to the northwest, Chihuahuan Desert ...

, the youngest of four children to Jack and Thelma Lucado. He grew up in

Andrews, Texas Andrews is the county seat of Andrews County, Texas, Andrews County in the Permian Basin of West Texas. Andrews sits to the far southwest within the Texas Panhandle's plains, about 30 miles east of New Mexico. Andrews was incorporated on Februar ...

. His father, of Italian ancestry, was an oil field worker, and his mother served as a nurse. Lucado attended

Abilene Christian University Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a Private university, private Christian research university in Abilene, Texas, United States. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an R2 (High Research Spending and Doctorate Production) institutio ...

where he received an undergraduate degree in

Mass Communication Mass communication is the process of imparting and exchanging information through mass media to large population segments. It utilizes various forms of media as technology has made the dissemination of information more efficient. Primary examples o ...

. While a student at Abilene Christian, Lucado worked to pay his way through college by selling books door-to-door with the

Southwestern Advantage Southwestern Advantage (formerly known as Southwestern Company), is an education material sales company based in Nashville, TN. The privately owned company recruits college and university students as independent contractors to sell educational b ...

entrepreneurial program. Initially he wished to become a lawyer, but has said that a required Bible course at the university and a mission trip made him change his mind, deciding instead to become a missionary. However, this required that Lucado get a graduate degree in Bible and Biblical Studies, and have at least two years experience ministering to a church. Lucado graduated from Abilene Christian University with a master's degree in Bible and Biblical Studies. After graduation, Lucado became an associate minister at Central Church of Christ in

Miami, Florida Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...

. His responsibilities initially included overseeing a singles' group and writing a column for the church's newsletter. After two years in Miami, the now newlywed Lucado and his wife, Denalyn Lucado, moved to

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the sixth-most-populous city in the Americas. Founded in 1565 by the Portuguese, the city wa ...

to become full-time missionaries. In 1987, Lucado's father died from

Lou Gehrig's disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND) or—in the United States—Lou Gehrig's disease (LGD), is a rare, terminal neurodegenerative disorder that results in the progressive loss of both upper and lo ...

. After five years in Brazil, he brought his family back to the United States to be closer to his mother. Max and his wife appeared on '' Fixer Upper'' (S3 E9 which aired January 26, 2016) when his daughter Sara and her husband Jeff Jones purchased a home that was to be remodeled by Chip & Joanna Gaines. Max asked that a quote that he had written for his daughter's wedding when he officiated be incorporated in some way into the new home without the couple knowing ahead of time. The quote was "Would you take these two of dust and bone, born of flesh, then would you make them one? Would you speak again the words you spoke when Adam slept and Eve Awoke? Would you let your wine replace our water and look with grace on this son, this daughter? Oh Lord of Eden in your majesty create again your tapestry. One heart where there were two. This is the prayer we lift to you." Joanna asked Clayton Thompson to make the wall art and it was placed in the "moffice" (the mudroom and office combined).

Oak Hills Church

In 1988, he was hired as a minister to the Oak Hills Church of Christ in

. He stopped taking a salary from the congregation in 1990 because he was already an established successful author. During his tenure, Oak Hills began using musical instruments in worship services and held the belief that baptism isn't required for salvation (things not in accord with two key doctrines of the

Churches of Christ The Churches of Christ, also commonly known as the Church of Christ, is a loose association of autonomous Christian congregations located around the world. Typically, their distinguishing beliefs are that of the necessity of baptism for salvation ...

); ultimately Oak Hills dropped its affiliation with them in 2003, calling itself simply "Oak Hills Church". After serving as the senior minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, for 20 years, Lucado announced in early 2007 that he was stepping down due to health concerns related to

atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation (AF, AFib or A-fib) is an Heart arrhythmia, abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) characterized by fibrillation, rapid and irregular beating of the Atrium (heart), atrial chambers of the heart. It often begins as short periods ...

.Lucado stepping down for health reasons
''Christian Chronicle'', May 2007, accessed March 3, 2014. Lucado has since resumed the more limited ministry role of writing and preaching minister alongside current lead minister Travis Eades
Oak Hills Church

Gateway Church

Following the resignation of Pastor

Robert Morris Robert or Bob Morris may refer to: :''Ordered chronologically within each section.'' Politics and the law * Robert Hunter Morris (1700–1764), lieutenant governor of Colonial Pennsylvania * Robert Morris (financier) (1734–1806), one of the Foun ...

from Gateway Church, located near Fort Worth, Lucado agreed to serve as interim teaching pastor there, a non-administrative position. He says he will not be leaving Oak Hills Church and plans to preach in both locations.

Views

He believes the Bible to be

infallible Infallibility refers to unerring judgment, being absolutely correct in all matters and having an immunity from being wrong in even the smallest matter. It can be applied within a specific domain, or it can be used as a more general adjective. Th ...

. Lucado is a credobaptist. Lucado adheres to a

trinitarian The Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the Christian doctrine concerning the nature of God, which defines one God existing in three, , consubstantial divine persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, three ...

view of God. Lucado has stated that he believes in “the traditional biblical understanding of marriage” as between a man and a woman, and argues that

same-sex marriage Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage of two people of the same legal Legal sex and gender, sex. marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 38 countries, with a total population of 1.5 ...

sinfully goes against God's original design. This said, he has strongly expressed disapproval of

gay bashing Gay bashing is an attack, abuse, or assault committed against a person who is perceived by the aggressor to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ+). It includes both violence against LGBTQ people and LGBTQ bullying. The te ...

, stating that, "LGBTQ individuals and LGBTQ families must

till image:Geschiebemergel.JPG, Closeup of glacial till. Note that the larger grains (pebbles and gravel) in the till are completely surrounded by the matrix of finer material (silt and sand), and this characteristic, known as ''matrix support'', is d ...

be respected and treated with love. They are beloved children of God because, they are made in the image and likeness of God." He adds: "Faithful people may disagree about what the Bible says about homosexuality, but we agree that God's holy Word must never be used as a weapon to wound others."

Accomplishments

Lucado has written almost 100 books with over 150 million copies in print. He was recipient of the Charles "Kip" Jordon Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year award three times (for his books ''Just Like Jesus'', ''In the Grip of Grace'' and ''When God Whispers Your Name''), and has also appeared regularly on several bestseller lists including the ''New York Times'' Best Seller List. Lucado was named "America's Pastor" by ''

Christianity Today ''Christianity Today'' is an evangelical Christian media magazine founded in 1956 by Billy Graham. It is published by Christianity Today International based in Carol Stream, Illinois. ''The Washington Post'' calls ''Christianity Today'' "eva ...

'' magazine and in 2005 was named by ''Reader's Digest'' as "The Best Preacher in America."Tiffany Taylo
"'Reader's Digest' honors alumnus: Max Lucado named Best Preacher in America in magazine,"
''The Optimist'' (Abilene Christian University), April 29, 2005 He has also been featured on The Fox News Channel,

NBC Nightly News ''NBC Nightly News'' (titled as ''NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas'' for its weeknight broadcasts ) is the flagship daily evening News broadcasting#Television, television news program for NBC News, the news division of the NBC television network ...

Larry King Live ''Larry King Live'' is an American television talk show broadcast by CNN from June 3, 1985 to December 16, 2010. Hosted by Larry King, it was the network's most watched and longest-running program, with over one million viewers nightly. Ma ...

LLBN Loma Linda Broadcasting Network (LLBN) is a non-profit, community and variety television, Christian broadcasting network in Loma Linda, California founded in 1996. Broadcast can be received via GloryStar Satellite Systems - Galaxy 19, Interne ...

, and

USA Today ''USA Today'' (often stylized in all caps) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth in 1980 and launched on September 14, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headq ...

. He has been a featured speaker at the

National Prayer Breakfast The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., usually on the first Thursday in February. The founder of this event was Abraham Vereide. The event—which is actually a series of meetings, luncheons, and dinners—has ...

Education

*B.A.

(1977) *M.A.

Books

*''On the Anvil: Being Shaped into God's Image'',

Carol Stream, Illinois Carol Stream is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States, and a suburb of Chicago. It was incorporated on January 5, 1959, and named after the daughter of its founder, Jay Stream. Per the 2020 census, the population was 39,854. Hist ...

Tyndale House Tyndale House (also known by its sister organization Tyndale House Foundation) is a Christian publisher in Carol Stream, Illinois. History Tyndale was founded in 1962 by Kenneth N. Taylor in order to publish his paraphrase of the Epistles ...

, 1985. . *''No Wonder They Call Him the Savior'',

New York, New York New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on New York Harbor, one of the world's largest natural harb ...

Doubleday Publishing Doubleday is an American publishing company. It was founded as the Doubleday & McClure Company in 1897. By 1947, it was the largest book publisher in the United States. It published the work of mostly U.S. authors under a number of imprints and ...

, 1986. . *''God Came Near: Chronicles of the Christ'',

Portland, Oregon Portland ( ) is the List of cities in Oregon, most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest region. Situated close to northwest Oregon at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, ...

: Multnomah Press, 1987. . *''Six Hours One Friday: Anchoring to the Power of the Cross''

: Multnomah Press, 1989. . *''The Applause of Heaven'',

Dallas, Texas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...

: Word Publishing, 1990. . *''In the Eye of the Storm: A Day in the Life of Jesus'',

: Word Publishing, 1991. . *''Just In Case You Ever Wonder'',

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

: Thomas Nelson, 1992. P *''And the Angels Were Silent'',

: Multnomah Press, 1992. *''Tell Me the Story''

Wheaton, Illinois Wheaton is a city in and the county seat of DuPage County, Illinois, United States. It is located in Milton and Winfield Townships, approximately west of Chicago. As of the 2020 census, Wheaton's population was 53,970, making it the 27th-mos ...

Crossway Books Crossway (previously known by its parent ministry Good News Publishers) is a not-for-profit evangelical Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on t ...

, 1992. *''He Still Moves Stones'',

: Word Publishing, 1993. *''Tell Me the Secrets'',

, 1993. *''The Crippled Lamb'',

: Thomas Nelson, 1994. *''When God Whispers Your Name'',

: Word Publishing, 1994. *''The Children of the King'',

, 1994. *''The Final Week of Jesus''

: Multnomah Press, 1994. . *''A Gentle Thunder'',

: Word Publishing, 1995. *''The Song of the King'',

, 1995. *''The Inspirational Study Bible''

: Thomas Nelson, 1995. . *''In the Grip of Grace'',

: Word Publishing, 1996. *''The Glory of Christmas'',

: Word Publishing, 1996. *''God's Inspirational Promises'',

: Word Publishing, 1996. *''Walking with the Savior'',

, 1996. *''Alabaster's Song'',

: Thomas Nelson, 1996. *''Life Lessons Bible Study Guides'' 1996–1998. *'' The Great House of God'',

: Word Publishing, 1997. *''You Are Special'',

, 1997. *''Cosmic Christmas: An Angel's Story'',

: Word Publishing, 1997. *''The Greatest Moments'',

: Word Publishing, 1997. *''The Cross'',

: Multnomah Press, 1998. *''The Heart of Christmas'', 1998. *''Just Like Jesus'',

: Word Publishing, 1998. *''The Christmas Cross'',

: Word Publishing, 1998. (the 2003 American Christian film, ''

Christmas Child ''Christmas Child'' is a 2004 American Christian film directed by William Ewing starring Steven Curtis Chapman. The film is based on " The Christmas Cross", a short story by Max Lucado repackaged in 2003 as ''The Christmas Child: A Story of Comi ...

'', was based on this short story) *''Let the Journey Begin'',

: Word Publishing, 1998. *''When Christ Comes'',

: Word Publishing, 1999. *''Just the Way You Are'',

, 1999. *''The Gift for All People'',

: Multnomah Press, 1999. *''Opening Windows'', 1999. *''Because I Love You'',

, 1999. *''Topical Bible Study Series'', 1999–2000. *''He Chose the Nails'',

: Word Publishing, 2000. *'' Grace for the Moment'',

: J. Countryman, 2000. *''In the Footsteps of Jesus'',

, 2000. *''He Did This Just For You'', 2000. *''Small Gifts in God's Hands'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2000. *''Traveling Light'',

: W Publishing Group, 2001. *''Traveling Light Journal'',

: W Publishing Group, 2001. *''America Looks Up'',

: W Publishing Group, 2001. *''One Incredible Moment'',

: J. Countryman, 2001. *''Safe in the Shepherd's Arms'',

: J. Countryman, 2001. *''Just For You'',

: W Publishing Group, 2002. *''A Love Worth Giving'',

: W Publishing Group, 2002. *''Traveling Light for Mothers'',

: W Publishing Group, 2002. *''He Chose You'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2002. *''Just Like Jesus (Devotional)'', 2002. *''A Heart Like Jesus'', 2002. *''What the Cross Means to Me'', 2002. *''Next Door Savior'',

: W Publishing Group, 2003. *''Experiencing the Heart of Jesus'', *''God Thinks You're Wonderful'', 2003.

: J. Countryman, 2003. *'' Hermie, A Common Caterpillar'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2003. *''It's Not About Me'',

: Integrity Publishers, 2004. *''Come Thirsty'',

: W Publishing Group, 2004. *''Everyday Blessings'',

: J. Countryman, 2004. *''The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People"

Zondervan Zondervan is an international Christian media and publishing company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Zondervan is a founding member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). It is a part of HarperCollins, Ha ...

, 2005, 2008, 2011. Various editions, including Teen Edition .'' *''Cure for the Common Life'',

: W Publishing Group, 2005. *''Turn'',

: Multnomah Press, 2005. *''God's Mirror'',

: Integrity Publishers, 2005. *''The Way Home: A Princess Story'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2005. *''God's Promises For You'', 2006. (Updated Edition) *''Your Special Gift'',

, 2006. *''Grace For The Moment II'',

: J. Countryman, 2006. *''Facing Your Giants'',

: W Publishing Group, 2006. *''Every Day Deserves a Chance: Wake Up to the Gift of 24 Hours'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2006. *''3:16: The Numbers of Hope'',

: W Publishing Group, 2007. *''Cast Of Characters'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2008. *''Fearless'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2009. *''You Changed My Life'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2010. *''The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, NKJV'', 2010. *''Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make A Difference'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2010. *''Max on Life; Answers and Inspiration for Today's Questions'', 2011. *''God's Story, Your Story: When His Becomes Yours'', 2011. . *''God's Story, Your Story: Youth Edition'', 2011. *''The Christmas Candle'',

Thomas Nelson (publisher) Thomas Nelson is a publishing firm that began in West Bow, Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1798, as the namesake of its founder. It is a subsidiary of HarperCollins, the publishing unit of News Corp. It describes itself as a "world leading publisher an ...

, 2013. *''God Will Carry You Through'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2013. *''Who Is This Jesus?'',

Worthy Publishing Hachette Book Group, Inc. (HBG) is a publishing company owned by Hachette Livre, the largest publishing company in France, and the third largest trade and educational publisher in the world. Hachette Livre is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lagardè ...

, 201

*''You'll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times,''

: Thomas Nelson, 2013 *''Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2014. *''Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2015. *''Glory Days: Living Your Promised Land Life Now'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2015. *''Because of Bethlehem: Love Is Born, Hope Is Here'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2016. *''Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2017. *''Unshakable Hope: Building Our Lives on the Promises of God'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2018. *''How Happiness Happens: Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment, and Unmet Expectations'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2019. *''You Are Never Alone: Trust in the Miracle of God's Presence and Power'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2020. *''You Were Made for This Moment: Courage for Today and Hope for Tomorrow'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2021. *''Help Is Here: Finding Fresh Strength and Purpose in the Power of the Holy Spirit'',

: Thomas Nelson, 2022. *''What Happens Next: A Traveler's Guide Through the End of This Age'', Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2022.

Other publications

Movies * Hermie and Friends, ''Hermie, A Common Caterpillar'', 2003. the first in a series of Christian videos for children, based on his book with the same title (The series ranked #8 on The Top Christian Cartoon Series list.) * ''3:16: Stories of Hope'', 2007. DVD. * ''God's Story, Your Story'', 2011. DVD *''

The Christmas Candle ''The Christmas Candle'' is a 2013 Christmas drama film directed by John Stephenson (director), John Stephenson. Introduction It is based on Max Lucado's novel ''The Christmas Candle (book), The Christmas Candle''. The film is an Impact and Big ...

'' (2013) Mobile apps *His is Mine, 2011. Based on his book ''God's Story, Your Story: When His Becomes Yours'', and compatible with the

iPhone The iPhone is a line of smartphones developed and marketed by Apple that run iOS, the company's own mobile operating system. The first-generation iPhone was announced by then–Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007, at ...

iPod Touch The iPod Touch (stylized as iPod touch) is a discontinued line of iOS-based mobile devices designed and formerly marketed by Apple Inc. with a touchscreen-controlled user interface. As with other iPod models, the iPod Touch can be used as a po ...

, and

iPad The iPad is a brand of tablet computers developed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple that run the company's mobile operating systems iOS and later iPadOS. The IPad (1st generation), first-generation iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010. ...

Notes

Company to Release Companion CD & DVD to New Lucado Book''

References

External links

Max Lucado Official WebsiteOak Hills Church WebsiteFilm & Media partner of Max LucadoMax Lucado
Unofficial Biography of Max Lucado
Christian Book Previews - Max Lucado Bio3:16 The Numbers of Hope
book review
Max Lucado's Books
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lucado, Max 1955 births Living people 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American non-fiction writers 20th-century evangelicals 20th-century Protestant religious leaders 21st-century American male writers 21st-century American non-fiction writers 21st-century evangelicals 21st-century Protestant religious leaders Abilene Christian University alumni American Evangelical writers American male non-fiction writers American people of Italian descent American Christian religious leaders American television evangelists Evangelical missionaries Ministers of the Churches of Christ People from Abilene, Texas People from Andrews, Texas People from San Angelo, Texas Writers from San Antonio Clergy from San Antonio Promise Keepers Protestant missionaries in Brazil Writers from Texas