Our Daily Bread is distributed around the world and is translated into more than 50 languages. Each month, millions of readers turn to the pages of this beloved devotional for inspiration, comfort, peace, and hope. Visit odb.org for more information.
With his wife, Cari, James Banks (D.Min, Gordon-Conwell) makes his home in Durham, North Carolina, where James is the founding pastor of Peace Church. James’ desire to write goes back to reading Christian devotional books at age 12. He loves to encourage others to draw close to God through a heartfelt relationship in prayer and a fresh understanding of Scripture. James’ books have been translated into several languages and include Prayers for Prodigals, Praying Together, Praying the Prayers of the Bible, Prayers for Your Children, Praying the Prayers of the Bible for Everyday Needs, Praying the Prayers of the Bible for Kids, and Hope Lies Ahead, which he coauthored with his son, Geoff. James is also the author of several magazine articles, is featured in the weekly Encouraging Prayer radio broadcast and podcast, and is a popular speaker for churches and retreats. You can find out more by visiting JamesBanks.org.
Elisa Morgan (MDiv) was named by Christianity Today as one of the top fifty women influencing today’s church and culture. She has authored more than twenty-five books including The Beauty of Broken, Hello, Beauty Full, When We Pray Like Jesus, You Are Not Alone and Christmas Changes Everything.
For twenty years, Elisa served as CEO of MOPS International and now is President Emerita. She speaks internationally, writes for Our Daily Bread, and co-hosts Discover the Word and God Hears Her for Our Daily Bread Ministries.
You can find more about Elisa, book her to speak at your event and sign up for her blog, Really, which reaches thousands at www.elisamorgan.com. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram (@elisamorganauthor).
With her husband of more than forty years, Evan (Vice President of Online Learning for Our Daily Bread Ministries www.odbu.org), she has two grown children and three grandchildren who live near her in Denver, Colorado. Her constant companion is Mia, a rough-coat Jack Russell Terrier.
Xochitl (So-Cheel) Dixon is author of
Waiting for God and the 2021 ECPA Christian Book Award finalist
Different Like Me. Serving the Lord with her beautifully diverse family and her service dog, Callie, Xochitl crosses generational and cultural boundaries. She reaches international readers through writing, speaking, the Christian apparel and accessories she designs, and her contributions to the devotional booklet
Our Daily Bread. She enjoys connecting with readers on social media and her blog at
www.xedixon.com.
Dave Branon retired in 2021 after a 40-year career as a writer and editor with Our Daily Bread Ministries. With more than 1,200 articles so far, Dave continues to write for the Our Daily Bread devotional. He has also written 20 books, which include Beyond the Valley: Finding Hope in Life's Losses and Lands of the Bible Today. He and his wife, Sue, have four children and eight grandchildren, and live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Bill Crowder joined the Our Daily Bread Ministries staff in 2001 after more than 20 years in the pastorate stretching from West Virginia to southern California to west Michigan. Over the years, Bill has spent much of his time in a Bible-conference ministry around the world, serving ODBM offices and their outreach to their local communities.
Bill is a contributing writer for the Our Daily Bread devotional and has written many Bible study booklets for ODBM’s Discovery Series. He has also published a number of books with ODB Publishers, the latest being Wisdom for our Worries and Gospel on the Mountains. Bill also serves as a co-host with Mart DeHaan, Elisa Morgan, and Daniel Ryan Day on the "Discover the Word '' podcast and daily radio program, heard nationwide.
On the personal front, Bill is now semi-retired and, with his wife, Marlene, lives in North Carolina. They have been married for over 45 years and have five adult children and a growing legion of grandchildren. To relax, Bill enjoys playing golf whenever possible, and follows sports, especially the English Premier League’s Liverpool Football Club.
As a "third-culture kid" (parents from one culture who raised him in another), Tim Gustafson attended eight different schools in his first nine years of schooling, plus a "semester at sea" that comprised first grade. His adoptive parents were missionaries who traveled several times by ship. The penchant for traveling didn’t stop with adulthood, and it’s served him well as he continues his career as a writer and editor. A military veteran of three deployments, Tim and his wife, Leisa, have eight children—seven of whom are boys—and a granddaughter.
