Max Lucado is a preacher with a storyteller’s gift — a pastor’s heart and a poet’s pen. Max’s message is simple: God loves you; let him. Max serves the people of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. He is a best-selling Christian author. He preaches and writes to the hurting, the guilty, the lonely, the discouraged.
Lucado was born on January 11, 1955 in San Angelo, Texas, the youngest of four children to Jack and Thelma Lucado. He grew up in Andrews, Texas. His father was an oil field worker, while his mother served as a nurse.
Lucado attended Abilene Christian University where he received an undergraduate degree in Mass Communication. During his time at the university, he was a member of The Fraternity of Galaxy. 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.
Max is married to Denalyn, now his wife of more than three decades. In 1983, Max and Denalyn moved to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to become full-time missionaries.
During their five years in Brazil, Max continued to write, updating friends and family about their ministry. Eventually Max gathered those newsletters into a manuscript and sent them off to fifteen publishers. One publisher said yes.
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 Lucado’s first book, On the Anvil, was published in 1985. His 32nd book, Glory Days: Living Your Promised Land Life Now (September 2015), offers insight into living a “full throttle” life. “With God’s help you can close the gap between the person you are and the person you want to be,” writes Max.
Accomplishments
Lucado has written almost 100 books with 90 million copies in print, including three recipients of the Charles “Kip” Jordon Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year (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 magazine and in 2005 was named by Reader’s Digest as “The Best Preacher in America.” He has also been featured on The Fox News Channel, NBC Nightly News, Larry King Live, LLBN, and USA Today. He has been featured speaker at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Max serves as Minister of Preaching at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. He has ministered to this church for 25 year
Family
Max and Denalyn have three grown daughters (Jenna, Andrea, and Sara), and two son-in-laws.
His daughter Sara recently featured on an episode of Fixer Upper on HGTV.
See Also. Books By Max Lucado
