For decades, The Word for Today has been a source of daily encouragement for millions, helping people grow in their faith and deepen their relationship with God. Behind these devotionals was Bob Gass—an ordinary man with an extraordinary calling. His life’s work continues to impact people worldwide, even after his passing in 2019.

This is the story of Bob Gass, his journey of faith, and the incredible legacy he left behind.

Bob Gass was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1944. Life was not easy—his father passed away when he was just 12, leaving his mother to raise him and his two siblings alone. But despite hardships, Bob’s mother was a woman of strong faith.

“She came into the Kingdom at a hundred miles an hour and never slowed down,” Bob once recalled. She ensured her children were immersed in God’s Word, taking them to multiple Sunday schools, church services, and prayer meetings every week.

At 12 years old, Bob gave his life to Jesus at a mission meeting. Soon after, he felt an undeniable calling to preach. At just 13, he delivered his first sermon. By 18, he had left Belfast for the United States with nothing but a suitcase and 25 pence in his pocket.

A kind pastor and his wife took Bob in, mentoring him in ministry. Bob never attended Bible school, but through the pastor’s guidance, he learned to preach, memorise Scripture, and minister effectively. This one-on-one discipleship shaped his future.

But even with a growing preaching ministry, Bob never saw himself as a writer—until a prophetic word on his wedding day changed everything.

When Bob married Debby in 1991, a prophetic word was spoken over them:

“The Lord says that you will reach more people through your writing than you will in all the years of your preaching.”

Bob dismissed it at first—he didn’t consider himself a writer. But Debby held onto those words.

A few years later, Bob met Ian Mackie and a small group of volunteers working to launch Christian radio in the UK. Their biggest struggle? Spreading the word.

Bob had an idea. He noticed that the most-read section of newspapers was often the horoscopes—not because people believed in them, but because they craved guidance and encouragement.

“Thank God we don’t need horoscopes,” Bob said. “But people want direction. They need answers. So I said to Ian and his team, ‘I’ll write a daily devotional for you.’”

That was the birth of The Word for Today. The first edition in 1994 had just 3,500 copies in the UK. Today, it reaches millions globally every quarter, including over 150,000 people in Australia.

Bob’s goal was simple:

“To whet your appetite so much that you’ll say, ‘Wow! I didn’t know that was in the Bible! Maybe I’d better go and read it for myself.’”

Bob had a deep love for Australia and visited often throughout his ministry. He connected with Vision Christian Media in its early days, helping shape the ministry’s mission.

One incredible story of God’s provision involves Australia. Years ago, Bob’s ministry had fallen $27,000 behind due to their work rescuing children in Romania.

One night, after preaching in Ohio, Bob received a $2,000 honorarium—but God immediately told him to give it away to the widow of a pastor who had died in the Oklahoma City bombing.

Bob wrestled with the decision but obeyed. Then, for three months, nothing happened.

Then, out of the blue, a cheque arrived from Australia—for $23,000. It was from a woman who had been touched by Bob’s ministry. She had received an inheritance and felt God prompting her to tithe a portion to Bob.

The next day, another cheque arrived from New York for $5,000.

In 24 hours, God cleared Bob’s $27,000 debt—with an extra $1,000 left over.

Bob’s connection to Australia remained strong, and his final visit here was in 2010, where he was warmly received by Vision’s supporters.

On June 5, 2019, Bob Gass passed away peacefully at his home in Atlanta, Georgia. His wife, Debby, shared the news with the Vision family, knowing how deeply his ministry had impacted so many.

But Bob had planned for this moment.

Knowing that one day he would go to be with the Lord, Bob had spent years writing devotionals in advance so that The Word for Today could continue long after his passing.

Today, a dedicated team continues his work, ensuring that believers worldwide are still ministered to through his words.

Bob always said:

“It’s not about me. It’s about getting people deeper into the Word of God.”

His legacy is not just a book. It’s millions of lives changed.