Max Lucado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Max Lucado
|
|
|---|---|
Lucado in 2019
|
|
| Born | January 11, 1955 San Angelo, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Author, Minister, Speaker |
| Education | Abilene Christian University |
| Genre | Inspirational Christian Living, Children's |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Notable awards | Gold Medallion Book Award |
| Spouse | Denalyn Lucado |
| Children | 3 |
Max Lucado is a well-known American author and church leader. He was born on January 11, 1955. Lucado has written dozens of popular books for both kids and adults. He has served as a preacher at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. Millions of people around the world enjoy his friendly storytelling style. His inspiring stories often teach kindness, faith, and hope.
Contents
Early Life and Growing Up
Max Lucado was born in the city of San Angelo, Texas. He was the youngest of four children born to Jack and Thelma Lucado. His father worked as an oil field worker. His mother cared for sick people as a nurse. Max spent most of his childhood growing up in Andrews, Texas.
As a young boy, Lucado enjoyed normal activities like sports and school. He was very curious about the world around him. He learned important lessons about hard work from his parents. His family had deep roots, and his father was of Italian descent. Max loved to listen to great stories while growing up in West Texas.
Education and College Adventures
When he finished high school, Lucado went to Abilene Christian University in Texas. At first, he thought he wanted to become a lawyer. He studied hard and earned an undergraduate degree in Mass Communication. While attending classes, he worked a sales job to pay for his college tuition. He sold books door-to-door through the famous Southwestern Advantage program. This job taught him how to speak clearly to people.
During college, Lucado took a required class about the Bible. He also went on a special volunteer trip to help other people. These experiences changed his heart and made him rethink his future career. Instead of law school, he decided to serve as a Christian teacher. He stayed at Abilene Christian University to earn a master's degree in biblical studies.
Life as a Missionary in South America
After finishing his college studies, Lucado moved to Miami, Florida. He became an associate minister at the Central Church of Christ. His job included helping young adults and writing articles for the church newsletter. During this busy time, he married his wife, Denalyn Lucado.
The couple soon decided to go on a big adventure across the ocean. They moved to the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In Brazil, they worked as full-time missionaries helping local communities for five years. While living there, Lucado learned Portuguese and wrote letters to friends back home. Sadly, his father passed away from Lou Gehrig's disease in 1987. After five years in South America, Lucado moved his family home to Texas.
Becoming a Famous Author and Preacher
In 1988, Lucado was invited to lead a church in San Antonio, Texas. This community was known as the Oak Hills Church of Christ. Later on, the congregation changed its name to simply Oak Hills Church. Lucado preached sermons there every week for many years.
By 1990, Lucado was selling many popular books across the country. Because his writing was so successful, he decided to stop taking a church salary. He wanted the church to use that money to help other people instead. He led the large congregation as senior minister for nearly twenty years. In 2007, he stepped down from full-time leadership due to a heart condition called atrial fibrillation. He continued writing books and preaching part-time alongside other leaders. Later, he also agreed to teach at Gateway Church near Fort Worth.
Lucado on Television
Lucado has made several guest appearances on television over the years. Max and his wife appeared on the popular home renovation show Fixer Upper. Their daughter Sara and her husband Jeff had bought a fixer-upper house. Famous designers Chip and Joanna Gaines remodeled the home for the young couple. Max wrote a special poem for the couple's wedding. Joanna had the poem turned into beautiful wall art for the new house.
Books and Stories by Max Lucado
Max Lucado is one of the most famous Christian writers in modern history. He has written nearly 100 books. More than 150 million copies of his books have been printed worldwide. His work has appeared many times on the famous New York Times Best Seller List.
Lucado writes in a warm, gentle voice that is easy to understand. He often uses simple comparisons and real-life examples. He wants readers to know that they are loved and never alone. Magazines like Christianity Today and Reader's Digest have praised his speaking and writing. He has spoken to large audiences at events like the National Prayer Breakfast.
Children's Books and Movies
Lucado has created many delightful stories written specifically for children. One of his most beloved children's characters is a caterpillar named Hermie. In the animated film series Hermie, A Common Caterpillar, Hermie learns that God made him special. The animated cartoons became huge hits with young viewers and families.
Another famous children's book by Lucado is called You Are Special. This story takes place in a magical wooden village of Wemmicks. A little wooden person named Punchinello learns that other people's opinions do not define him. Lucado also wrote The Crippled Lamb, a sweet story about a lamb during the first Christmas. Another festive holiday book called The Christmas Cross was turned into the movie Christmas Child. His book The Christmas Candle was also made into a full-length feature movie.
Major Awards and Honors
Lucado's work has earned many major honors in the publishing industry. He won the prestigious Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year award three times. He won this top honor for his titles:
- When God Whispers Your Name
- In the Grip of Grace
- Just Like Jesus
He has also appeared on many national news broadcasts. Programs like NBC Nightly News, The Fox News Channel, Larry King Live, and newspapers like USA Today have interviewed him. He created a mobile app based on his book God's Story, Your Story for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.
Beliefs and Personal Life
Lucado holds traditional Christian beliefs that guide his personal life and work. He believes in the idea of trusting the Bible as a true guide. He practices baptism for people who choose their faith. He also teaches the Christian view of the three-in-one God.
Lucado believes strongly in showing respect and kindness to all human beings. He teaches that every single person is created by God and deserves love. He has spoken out against cruelty, bullying, and gay bashing. He reminds his readers that religious words should never be used to hurt others. Instead, he encourages people everywhere to help their neighbors and live in peace.
Selected Works
Lucado has created a huge library of written work through many major publishing companies. He has worked with companies like Thomas Nelson, Crossway Books, Multnomah Press, Tyndale House, Doubleday Publishing, and Zondervan.
Here are some of his most famous and widely read publications:
- On the Anvil, published by Tyndale House in Carol Stream, Illinois (1985)
- No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, published by Doubleday Publishing in New York, New York (1986)
- Six Hours One Friday, published by Multnomah Press in Portland, Oregon (1989)
- The Applause of Heaven, published in Dallas, Texas (1990)
- Just In Case You Ever Wonder, published in Nashville, Tennessee (1992)
- Tell Me the Story, published in Wheaton, Illinois by Crossway Books (1992)
- The Crippled Lamb (1994)
- The Great House of God (1997)
- You Are Special (1997)
- Grace for the Moment (2000)
- Hermie, A Common Caterpillar (2003)
- 3:16: The Numbers of Hope (2007)
- Fearless (2009)
- You Are Never Alone (2020)
Lucado continues to write, speak, and share positive messages with readers of all ages.
See also
In Spanish: Max Lucado para niños
