Devoted to God's word for 30 years

Christian broadcaster UCB is celebrating 30 years of its popular Word for Today devotional. We explored some milestones in its rich history with CEO David L’Herroux

1991: A reluctant writer

On Bob and Debby Gass’s wedding day, the pastor marrying them gave Bob – an enthusiastic preacher – a prophetic word: “The Lord has told me you will reach more people through your writing than you will in all the years of your preaching.” Bob (pictured above)  didn’t want to write, yet his heart was stirred when he met UCB UK founder Ian Mackie.

Ian was trying to launch Christian radio but had no supporters and the government was refusing to give him air space.

So Bob offered to write a devotional with Scripture and thoughts for each day.

Three-and-a-half years later, Word for Today was born.

1994: Launch and growth

The first issue of Word for Today was published in April 1994 with a run of 3,500 copies.

Bob famously described it as ‘the small book that leads to the big book’.

For non-Christians, it offered an appetiser to introduce the idea of a relationship with God.

For Christians, it acted as ‘a vitamin boost’ for anyone struggling with or looking to deepen their faith.

THIS ISN'T THE END OF THE STORY!

Read the whole article in context in the June 2024 issue of Direction Magazine.

Direction Magazine

Direction is the official monthly publication of the Elim Pentecostal Churches in the UK, and is packed with all Elim's latest news, inspiration, vision and teaching. Find the latest edition and many back issues of Direction here.