Life

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. After two years in Miami, the now newlywed Lucado and his wife, Denalyn, 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.

Oak Hills Church

In 1988, he was hired as a minister to the Oak Hills Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas.He stopped taking a salary from the church in 1990, because he was already an established successful author. Lucado has been associated with some progressive teaching causing divisions amongst some Churches of Christ. Unlike the typical Churches of Christ, Oak Hills began using musical instruments in worship services and held the belief that baptism isn't required for salvation. Lucado no longer affiliates himself with the Churches of Christ. Under Lucado's ministry, Oak Hills dropped the "Church of Christ" affiliation from its name in 2003, calling itself simply "Oak Hills Church."

After serving as the senior minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, TX for 20 years, Lucado announced in early 2007 that he was stepping down due to health concerns related to atrial fibrillation. Lucado has since resumed the more limited ministry role of writing and preaching at Oak Hills with co-pastor Randy Frazee, formerly of Willow Creek Community Church of South Barrington, Illinois.

Family

The Lucados have three daughters, Jenna, Andrea, and Sara. His daughter Sara recently featured on an episode of Fixer Upper on HGTV.

Accomplishments

Lucado has written almost 100 books with 80 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.

Education

• B.A. Abilene Christian University (1977)
• M.A. Abilene Christian University

Books

• On the Anvil: Being Shaped into God's Image, Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House, 1985. ISBN 978-1-4143-1553-9.
• No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, New York, New York: Doubleday Publishing, 1986. ISBN 978-0-8807-0611-7.
• God Came Near: Chronicles of the Christ, Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1987. ISBN 978-0-8807-0206-5.
• Six Hours One Friday: Anchoring to the Power of the Cross Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1989. ISBN 978-0-8807-0314-7.
• The Applause of Heaven, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1990. ISBN 978-0-8499-1324-2.
• In the Eye of the Storm: A Day in the Life of Jesus, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1991. ISBN 978-0-8499-4325-6.
• Just In Case You Ever Wonder, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 1992. P
• And the Angels Were Silent, Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1992.
• Tell Me the Story Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1992.
• He Still Moves Stones, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1993.
• Tell Me the Secrets, Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1993.
• The Crippled Lamb, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 1994.
• When God Whispers Your Name, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1994.
• The Children of the King, Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1994.
• The Final Week of Jesus Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1994. ISBN 978-0-88070-630-8.
• A Gentle Thunder, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1995.
• The Song of the King, Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1995.
• The Inspirational Study Bible Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 1995. ISBN 978-0-84995-123-7.
• In the Grip of Grace, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1996.
• The Glory of Christmas, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1996.
• God's Inspirational Promises, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1996.
• Walking with the Savior, Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House, 1996.
• Alabaster's Song, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 1996.
• Life Lessons Bible Study Guides 1996-1998.
• The Great House of God, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1997.
• You Are Special, Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1997.
• Cosmic Christmas: An Angel's Story, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1997.
• The Greatest Moments, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1997.
• The Cross, Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1998.
• The Heart of Christmas, 1998.
• Just Like Jesus, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1998.
• The Christmas Cross, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1998. (the 2003 American Christian film, Christmas Child, was based on this short story)
• Let the Journey Begin, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1998.
• When Christ Comes, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1999.
• Just the Way Your Are, Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1999.
• The Gift for All People, Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1999.
• Opening Windows, 1999.
• Because I Love You, Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1999.
• Topical Bible Study Series, 1999-2000.
• He Chose the Nails, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 2000.
• Grace for the Moment, Nashville, Tennessee: J. Countryman, 2000.
• In the Footsteps of Jesus, Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House, 2000.
• He Did This Just For You, 2000.
• Small Gifts in God's Hands, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2000.
• Traveling Light, Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2001.
• Traveling Light Journal, Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2001.
• America Looks Up, Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2001.
• One Incredible Moment, Nashville, Tennessee: J. Countryman, 2001.
• Safe in the Shepherd's Arms, Nashville, Tennessee: J. Countryman, 2001.
• Just For You, Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2002.
• A Love Worth Giving, Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2002.
• Traveling Light for Mothers, Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2002.
• He Chose You, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2002.
• Just Like Jesus (Devotional), 2002.
• A Heart Like Jesus, 2002.
• What the Cross Means to Me, 2002.
• Next Door Savior, Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2003.
• Experiencing the Heart of Jesus,
• God Thinks You're Wonderful, 2003. Nashville, Tennessee: J. Countryman, 2003.
• Hermie, A Common Caterpillar, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2003. ISBN 1-4003-0126-2
• It's Not About Me, Nashville, Tennessee: Integrity Publishers, 2004.
• Come Thirsty, Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2004.
• Everyday Blessings, Nashville, Tennessee: J. Countryman, 2004.
• Cure for the Common Life, Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2005.
• Turn, Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 2005.
• God’s Mirror, Nashville, Tennessee: Integrity Publishers, 2005.
• The Way Home: A Princess Story, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2005.
• God’s Promises For You, 2006. (Updated Edition)
• Your Special Gift, Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2006.
• Grace For The Moment II, Nashville, Tennessee: J. Countryman, 2006.
• Facing Your Giants, Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2006.
• Every Day Deserves a Chance: Wake Up to the Gift of 24 Hours, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2006.
• 3:16: The Numbers of Hope, Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2007.
• Cast Of Characters, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2008.
• Fearless, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2009.
• You Changed My Life, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2010.
• The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, NKJV, 2010.
• Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make A Difference, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2010.
• The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People" Teen Edition, Zondervan, 2010 - 2011. ISBN 978-0-310-72280-9
• Max on Life; Answers and Inspiration for Today's Questions, 2011.
• God's Story, Your Story: When His Becomes Yours, 2011. ISBN 0-310-29403-7.
• God's Story, Your Story: Youth Edition, 2011. ISBN 0-310-72546-1
• The Christmas Candle, Thomas Nelson, 2013.
• God Will Carry You Through, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2013. ISBN 978-1-4003-2311-1
• Who Is This Jesus?, Worthy Publishing, 2013 ISBN 9781936034666
• Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2015. ISBN 978-0-718000882

Other publications

Movies

• 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 Hope3:16: Stories of Hope2007
• God's Story, Your Story, 2011. DVD ISBN 0-310-88986-3
• The Christmas Candle (2013)

Music

• 3:16 Songs of Hope3:16 Songs of Hope2007.

Mobile Apps

• His is Mine, 2011. Based on his book God's Story, Your Story: When His Becomes Yours, and compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]