Dear Friends,

Since I last wrote to you on behalf of the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, the world has been bereft of two incredible ministry founders. Grief has assaulted their families, their ministries, and the world.

Our own beloved founder, Dr. James Dobson, departed this life for his eternal home on August 21, 2025, after nearly fifty years of expounding practical biblical wisdom for raising families, living life, and defending righteousness in the culture. We rejoice for his well-run race while mourning the great loss experienced by his family, our ministry, and you.

Long ago, James Dobson, Sr., an influential minister who was deeply concerned with reaching lost souls for Christ, received insight through prayer that the Lord would minister to millions, not through him but through his son, whom the world soon came to know as Dr. James Dobson. His father’s insight was fulfilled and powerfully evidenced by decades of best-selling books and radio broadcasts that promoted solid biblical advice. How many memories could each of us recall of distressing times calmed by Dr. Dobson’s reassuring voice, returning us to this timeless wisdom? His eternal impact is immeasurable by any human standard.

Not even three weeks passed after Dr. Dobson’s departure for eternity before our country was shaken again by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who was perhaps the most prominent evangelical in recent years. He reminded us that proclaiming the gospel and enabling families to live it out in their daily lives often requires engagement with our culture and with the public policies that are formed by it. I recall Charlie sharing that the most important thing is to win souls for Jesus Christ. The second is to make sure we can still do the first thing. He knew the importance of Christian engagement, following the example of Jesus’ own interactions with government and the so called religious systems during his time on earth.

In the midst of mourning our own founder, we join the world in grieving the loss of Charlie. We were honored by his loyal friendship with Dr. Dobson and JDFI, and we stand with his family and Turning Point USA as they have been stripped of a loving husband, father, son, and founder. We have all lost an unparalleled champion of righteousness in our culture.

I believe the assassination of Charlie Kirk is a clarion call for all Christians to recognize that a rising tide of evil is intent on twisting and suppressing the ultimate truth—God’s truth. But is this fact really new? Satan used this same tactic in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5) and again as he tempted Jesus (Matthew 4). Just imagine: Satan twisted God’s own words to suppress the truth in an attempt to deceive Jesus, God incarnate, and the very Word of Life Himself! It’s not a new development, and as the Apostle Peter shared, we should not be surprised by these fiery trials and times (1 Peter 4:12).

Is all now lost, forcing us to retreat? Never! The Lord promised Isaiah,

So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him (55:19, KJV)

I stood on that promise just a few weeks ago when I shared with ministry friends several profound questions that I carefully considered after Dr. Dobson asked me to lead this organization. They were profound because they dealt with the very existence and purpose of this ministry. I would like to share the most existential of those questions in the next few paragraphs.

Should This Ministry Survive?

At the time I was prayerfully considering Dr. Dobson’s request, I was sixty-one and preparing for my second retirement (first, from the corporate world, and this time from academia). I had many adventures planned for the years ahead. But it was never easy to say “no” to Dr. Dobson, so I wrestled with the decision. Could his legacy be carried forward? Would I risk failure now? Should this ministry even survive?

That last question was particularly difficult, but I’ve learned it is better to face the tough questions early since they only get harder the longer I wait.

Then God reminded me of my earlier years.

I remembered my late thirties and early forties. After a delayed start in college, I was finally an established CPA and had developed a promising executive career. For the first time, my wife and I were becoming financially comfortable after both having been raised in near poverty. I recall it so well.

Can you picture the following scenario with me? It’s a dark, early morning in the late 1990s as I’m driving along the expressway in my baby blue Sedan DeVille. I had finally made it!

So why were tears running down my face as I drove? Why was my soul aching? I was realizing that I was broken, and my marriage was breaking. I had been raised deep in the Bible belt, I knew all the rules, and I was adept at quoting Scripture. But I didn’t know how to get that knowledge from head to heart. Daily life and biblical values seemed worlds apart.

Then I turned on the radio, and there was the voice of Dr. James Dobson. Many of you know it so well. That was the start of years of what I’d consider 30-minute counseling and mentoring sessions. Listening to Dr. Dobson’s radio broadcasts changed my life! You can learn more about those times and the personal friendship that developed through a recent broadcast that Gary Bauer and I recorded.

I know that many of you have stories like mine. You’ve shared them on our memorial site for Dr. Dobson. When you have a moment to read a few, I think you will be inspired by what God has accomplished through his ministry.

The countless ways that Dr. Dobson’s timely and relevant messages have changed our lives are compelling reasons for us to continue this work. I also think about the many people in our country and around the world who don’t have the advantage of being raised in the Christian faith. Even with it, I would not have survived without the practical biblical wisdom that Dr. Dobson encapsulated so well. How will those who do not have that foundation and guidance from Scripture make it in our secular culture?

That compels me to know the answer. This ministry must survive. This light must continue to shine brightly.

Passing the Mantle

Dr. Dobson would never think himself worthy of comparison to any of the biblical heroes; yet, it seems appropriate to consider similarities to one of Israel’s greatest prophets. Elijah held a righteous standard for his country and famously challenged its people to make a choice to no longer waver between contemporary correctness and God’s truth (1 Kings 18:21).

Later, Elijah passed the mantle of his work to a successor who continued it with even more miracles.

Dr. Dobson began his own ministry with a very similar call to the church and to our nation as they wavered on the sanctity of life. He stood firm as he called both to account, and in this poignant moment, we can be confident that his work on behalf of unborn children, along with faith, families, and freedom will long endure.

This ministry continues not by a single successor but by the full organization he founded, the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI). He worked diligently over the last few years with the board of directors to help ensure the continued proclamation of the gospel and biblical truth for strengthening marriages, raising families, living the Christian life, and encouraging righteousness in the culture. We are honored to carry on his dynamic legacy.

Thank You for Your Support

The profound question of whether this ministry should survive has been answered. But we know that JDFI cannot long endure without your continuing prayers and support, and we are thankful for the sacrifices you make. Your resources will not be wasted.

Recently, a group of dear friends established a historic matching grant for the JDFI ministry. The Dr. James Dobson Memorial Matching Grant provides matching funds through December 31, 2025, for up to six million dollars! This gift is an incredible memorial and statement of confidence for the only organization entrusted by Dr. Dobson to carry out his legacy and expand his work to new generations and geographies.

Every gift given today will be doubled, advancing faith, family, and freedom for years to come. Please join us in this critical mission—make your secure donation online today.

If you prefer, donations may be made by check, electronic transfers, and stock gifts.

Also, you may be interested in several recent broadcasts honoring Dr. Dobson’s legacy, as well as remembering his friend and ours, Charlie Kirk.

Please let us know how these and other resources are helping you and your loved ones. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. It’s easy to contact us online or by calling Constituent Care at 877-732-6825.

Praying God’s greatest blessings on you and yours,

Bart Brock, Ph.D.
Chairman and President
Dr. James Dobson Family Institute

This letter may be reproduced without change and in its entirety for non-commercial and non-political purposes without prior permission from the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.