Boldly unhindered. These two words frame the mission and the mindset of Our Daily Bread Ministries’ president and CEO, Dr. Matt Lucas.
Matt takes his cue from the apostle Paul about whom Luke penned these words in Acts 28:31, “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!”
“I love this passage. That is my heart’s desire,” Matt said. “It’s how I hope Our Daily Bread Ministries continues to advance its mission.”
This ministry has been gospel-driven from the beginning and has continued a biblical focus as the baton of leadership was handed down three times in the DeHaan family. Matt is the first president without the DeHaan name, and he is humbled by the legacy as he serves.
“Our Daily Bread Ministries has been in existence for more than 80 years and has been very successful in meeting the needs of people around the world. It’s a healthy organization,” Matt said. “My goal is to spend a lot of time praying and listening to what the Holy Spirit is already doing, and join in that work. There are incredible things already happening.”
THE RIGHT FIT
God was clearly preparing Matt for this role. His servant-hearted leadership style, prayer-focused lifestyle, and previous executive experience checked all the boxes for the presidential search committee. Matt and his wife, Tammy, had been praying for God’s direction for the next steps of their journey. Their fervent prayer included four aspects that were important for Matt in his next role:
• Discipleship focus
• Global ministry
• Involvement with devotional writing
• Stewardship of the gifts that God has given him in leadership
Matt previously served four and a half years as chancellor at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global, and before that he was the provost and executive vice president at Corban University for nine years. Matt’s
career in education started as a high school English teacher.
“Executive leadership is an area I was pulled into. I was honestly hoping to be a faculty member for the rest of my life,” Matt said. “I was asked to step into increasing responsibilities around leadership.”
As a person who didn’t seek leadership as the end goal, Matt has learned that depending on God is the only effective way to work. In a previous position, Matt’s philosophy was to pray when facing important decisions. “Each time we did this, incredible things happened that we couldn’t take credit for,” he said. Matt intends to continue this strategy while serving the ministry.
Another area where he has experienced success and will continue to make a focus as president is in creating partnerships that are beneficial for all involved. “We want to share what we have and partner with the goal that we advance the kingdom and not our own agenda,” Matt said. “As we do that, I believe God will take care of us.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS
Serving a global ministry comes naturally to Matt and Tammy Lucas. They understand the importance of welcoming people from all nations into their lives and learning from them.
Throughout 29 years of marriage, they’ve made their home a safe haven for many young women, even inviting two to become a part of their permanent family.
“God’s blessed us with girls. We’ve been passionate about young women and making a space for them,” Matt said. “Many came from difficult backgrounds and they came to us and found a place to blossom as women and not have the cultural baggage which often limits them from becoming who God created them to be.”
Their family includes six daughters, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren. As native Oregonians, they are active outdoors and enjoy camping, hiking, playing and watching soccer, and savoring time on the water.
From outdoor enthusiasts to a passion for serving people, Matt and Tammy are happy to have joined the Our Daily Bread Ministries family. Matt said, “We’re excited to be part of a ministry that has a global outlook, and we want to press into that to the fullest.”
