Nearly two decades after taking the helm of Focus on the Family following the departure of its founder, Jim Daly is preparing to hand the ministry to a new generation.
The president of one of America's most influential Evangelical organizations announced this week that Focus has officially launched a nationwide search for its next leader, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a year- to 18-month succession process ahead of the ministry's 50th anniversary in 2027.
Unlike many recent leadership transitions in prominent Christian organizations, Daly told The Christian Post this one is not being driven by scandal or internal upheaval; rather, the ministry is intentionally choosing to transition while it is healthy.
"My core belief was it's good to get new faces, new energy, younger leadership in to kind of speak to the 30-, 40-somethings now about what they're facing with marriage and parenting," Daly said. "I'm going to be turning 65 here. It's time to start looking for the next-gen leadership. That's really the goal, and to do it well is the other goal."
The search, being conducted with executive search firm FaithSearch Partners, will culminate in a vote by Focus' board of directors. Candidates are expected to begin applying immediately.
Founded in 1977 by psychologist and author Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family grew from a fledgling radio ministry into one of the most recognizable voices in American evangelicalism. Through its daily radio broadcasts, magazines, books, counseling services and public policy advocacy, the Colorado Springs-based nonprofit became a defining force in conversations surrounding marriage, parenting, religious liberty and the sanctity of life.
Today, the ministry says it reaches millions through radio, podcasts and digital media while operating 13 international offices, employing roughly 750 people and overseeing an annual budget of about $150 million.
Daly's own journey to the presidency began in 2005, when he succeeded Dobson after serving in executive leadership roles within the organization. The founder's departure proved challenging, according to Daly, who acknowledged that experience has shaped how he's approaching his own transition.
"So many transitions don't go well," he said. "We had some difficulty in the founder transition, even at Focus with Dr. Dobson, and I took a lot of notes and thought, 'When it's my turn ... I want to make sure I do it as best as I can.' Christians should be leading the way on how to do this well."
Beginning the search while the ministry is thriving, he said, gives his successor the strongest possible foundation.
"There is no crisis, which is wonderful," he said. "We're not under any kind of situation of moral collapse or any other thing. Finances are good at Focus. … If I were coming in as the next leader, it's the kind of situation I'd want to walk into, where things are going well.”
During Daly's tenure, Focus has broadened its mission beyond the media ministry that defined much of the Dobson era. While the organization's flagship radio program continues reaching approximately 6 million listeners, Daly, who grew up in a foster home, said one of his priorities has been moving Focus from simply teaching biblical principles to helping churches and families live them out.
"I've focused ... more on the orthopraxy of our faith," he said.
Among the initiatives he cited are expanded foster care and adoption ministries, respite care for foster families, a nationwide ultrasound program supporting pregnancy resource centers, and Highly Capable Kids, a curriculum designed to strengthen parental involvement in public schools.
"I was a foster child, so that was born out of that pain and that experience that I had," he said.
The ministry has also continued expanding its pro-life work by helping pregnancy resource centers offer ultrasound technology and broader services for women facing unexpected pregnancies.
Looking ahead, Daly said Christian families are navigating challenges that scarcely existed when Focus was founded nearly five decades ago. The ministry tracks counseling requests from families across the country, providing a window into changing cultural pressures.
Where previous generations primarily sought guidance on behavioral issues such as “thumb-sucking, bedwetting and childhood discipline,” today's parents increasingly ask about social media, screen time and gender identity.
"LGBTQ issues particularly would have ranked down in 16, 17, 18 in years past," Daly said. "Now they've ranked No. 4, 5, 6 of the phone call types that we're getting for help."
Many of those conversations, he said, involve parents and grandparents struggling to respond when children identify as transgender, a task his successor will need biblical wisdom to tackle.
"We're looking for someone who is true to those biblical principles that Focus started on almost 50 years ago," he said. "Even if the culture is blowing hard at what we believe, staying true to that — calm, kind, loving."
The ministry continues to affirm marriage as between one man and one woman and contends that, citing both Scripture and social science, children thrive best with both a mother and father actively involved in their lives.
At the same time, Daly believes that how Christians communicate those beliefs matters as much as the convictions themselves. Comparing his leadership style with Dobson's, Daly described the founder as "more of a prophet" while calling himself "more of an evangelist."
"I just see the potential in people," he said. "I feel like that's close to God's heart. That's what Christ communicated to us. … Not that we waver on principle or truth, but be interested in the lives of other people that don't know the Lord.”
As the board searches for a successor, Daly said he expects to remain involved without overshadowing the incoming president. One of the lessons he learned from 2005 is that the departing leader largely determines whether a transition becomes healthy or dysfunctional.
"The outgoing person really sets the tone," he said. "To make it healthy, I think deference is critical. … I'd really encourage the next person not to [try to] be me. You've got to be who you are."
The board has asked Daly to consider remaining involved after the transition, potentially serving in donor relations and fundraising during the new president's first year, but for now, he said his most important contribution will be supporting his successor. Daly stressed his greatest concern is ensuring the transition strengthens the ministry rather than his own legacy.
"It's actually quite troubling to me that we can talk a good game as Christians and talk about very important things," he said. "But if we fundamentally can't do these kinds of things, like transition better than secular businesses transition, then it kind of diminishes our witness."
"I'm very determined to want to demonstrate this in a way that people go, 'Wow, that was really well done.'"
Originally published by The Christian Post.
