Dear Friends,

I’m writing today with a grateful heart and deep anticipation for the next season of the James Dobson Family Institute. God has been extraordinarily faithful to this ministry. For decades, He has used Dr. James Dobson’s voice and biblical teaching to strengthen marriages, equip parents, protect children, and encourage families to stand firmly on the truth of God’s Word.

Dr. Dobson brought faithful people alongside this ministry every step of the way. That includes you. Your prayers, generosity, encouragement, and belief in this mission have helped Dr. Dobson’s transformational work reach families around the world. Our team is grateful for your partnership and for the important role you continue to play in the JDFI family.

Today, we believe God is calling us into an important new season. The culture surrounding marriage, parenting, children, and families continues to change rapidly. The attacks on God’s institutions continue to grow. Throughout his ministry, Dr. Dobson equipped families with biblical truth, wisdom, courage, and compassion to face their challenges. We must be equally committed to carrying that forward.

At the same time, the ways people receive information have changed dramatically. A new generation of parents is searching for answers in places and through platforms that did not exist when much of Dr. Dobson’s groundbreaking work was first shared. That presents JDFI with an extraordinary opportunity. We are committed to reaching today’s parents and families with Dr. Dobson’s timeless biblical teachings in ways that meet them where they are. As Dr. Bart Brock has often said, “We’re going to fish where the fish are.”

We are working to significantly accelerate a digital transformation while thoughtfully stewarding the remarkable body of teaching God has entrusted to this ministry. Under Dr. Bart Brock’s leadership, important groundwork has already been laid, and the early results are encouraging. We are now positioned to take the next bold step.

JDFI is working on a design for a new technology platform, including the careful use of tools powered by artificial intelligence. These tools will help us to efficiently organize, preserve, and make Dr. Dobson’s decades of trusted teaching more accessible. Imagine a parent facing a difficult issue being able to quickly find relevant, specific, biblically grounded wisdom from Dr. Dobson’s own body of work, delivered through the platforms and tools today’s families are already using. With thoughtful and appropriate safeguards and human verification in the loop, these new capabilities can extend the reach of Dr. Dobson’s teaching without changing the biblical truth at its foundation.

This work is about far more than technology. It is about legacy, stewardship, and reach. We want to preserve Dr. Dobson’s extraordinary library of biblical teaching, make it increasingly accessible to today’s families, and carry it forward so that children and grandchildren who may never have heard Dr. Dobson on the radio can still benefit from the truth and wisdom God entrusted to him. In fact, we have a goal of reaching billions of people across 130 countries and sharing this gospel hope leading millions to salvation.

Recently, the Board asked me to join them to assemble a team and develop a plan to accomplish the goals outlined above. As part of that process, the Board invited two very capable leaders, Jay Snyder and Wayne Mihailov, to also join the Board. Their experience, wisdom, and commitment to the mission will be tremendous assets as we prepare JDFI for this next chapter.

It was a great honor that Bart asked me to serve as Chairman of the Board. Having walked for many decades alongside Jim, Shirley, and the Dobson ministry, accepting this responsibility is both humbling and deeply personal. Our family cares greatly about this ministry, the legacy entrusted to the Board, and the opportunity before us to faithfully steward that legacy and carry it forward for generations to come.

We are very grateful for Bart’s capable and faithful leadership, particularly during the transition following the loss of Dr. Dobson. In recognition of the Board’s tremendous respect and appreciation for his service, the Board unanimously voted to name Bart Chairman Emeritus. His experience, wisdom, and steadfast commitment to Dr. Dobson’s mission have served JDFI well, and we are thankful for all he has done to help position the ministry for this next season.

While leadership roles may evolve and the ways we communicate may change, who we are and what we believe is constant. JDFI will remain firmly committed to strengthening marriages and families, advancing biblical truth, equipping parents and grandparents, and helping the next generation build their lives on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Dobson captured that calling beautifully when he said: “There is nothing more important than parents passing on a generational legacy of faith and values to their children.” Our goal is to extend and champion that legacy.

In the weeks and months ahead, we will describe more about this vision and introduce some of the people who will be helping us move forward. We will also share more about the digital and AI initiatives being developed to bring Dr. Dobson’s timeless teachings to new audiences, strengthen our ability to serve families when and where they need help, and ensure this ministry remains a trusted biblical resource for generations to come.

Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for believing in JDFI. And thank you for standing with us as we seek to faithfully steward what God has entrusted to this ministry and share it with the next generation. We are excited about what God is doing and where HE is leading us together.

With gratitude,

Jon Gibson
Chairman of the Board
James Dobson Family Institute