Max Lucado (born January 11, 1955) is an American author[1] and minister at Oak Hills Church (formerly the Oak Hills Church of Christ) in San Antonio, Texas.
Lucado was born in San Angelo, Texas, the youngest of four children to Jack and Thelma Lucado. He grew up in Andrews, Texas. His father, of Italian ancestry, was an oil field worker, and his mother served as a nurse.[citation needed]
Lucado attended Abilene Christian University where he received an undergraduate degree in Mass Communication. While a student at Abilene Christian, Lucado worked to pay his way through college by selling books door-to-door with the Southwestern Advantage entrepreneurial program.[2] 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. 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 to become full-time missionaries. In 1987, Lucado's father died from Lou Gehrig's disease. 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.[3] 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
Lucado in 2005
In 1988, he was hired as a minister to the Oak Hills Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas.[4] He stopped taking a salary from the congregation in 1990 because he was already an established successful author.[1]
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); ultimately Oak Hills dropped its affiliation with them in 2003, calling itself simply "Oak Hills Church".[5][6][7]
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.[4] Lucado has since resumed the more limited ministry role of writing and preaching at Oak Hills with co-minister Randy Frazee, formerly of Willow Creek Community Church of South Barrington, Illinois.
Gateway Church
Following the resignation of Pastor Robert Morris 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.[8]
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 sinfully goes against God's original design. This said, he has strongly expressed disapproval of gay bashing, stating that, "LGBTQ individuals and LGBTQ families must [still] 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."[11]
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),[12] and has also appeared regularly on several bestseller lists including the New York Times Best Seller List.[1]
The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People" Zondervan, 2005, 2008, 2011. Various editions, including Teen Edition ISBN978-0-310-72280-9.
How Happiness Happens: Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment, and Unmet Expectations, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2019.
What Happens Next: A Traveler's Guide Through the End of This Age, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2022. ISBN9781400260003
Other publications
Movies
Hermie, A Common Caterpillar, 2003. the first in a series of Christian videos for children,[31][32] based on his book with the same title[33] (The series ranked #8 on The Top Christian Cartoon Series list.)[34]
^ abcCBD Profile - Max Lucado "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."
^Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 6. ISBN9781476672939.
