Back to the Bible began in 1939 with a simple idea—share a nourishing meal of God’s Word daily rather than expect people to survive the week after a Sunday feast. The goal was simply to proclaim the powerful Word of God so that hearts, minds and lives would be transformed on a daily basis. And thankfully, countless numbers were impacted.
However, as the years progressed with rapid cultural and technological changes facing Christ Followers and the church, it was becoming more and more clear that radio was only reaching the already reached. Armed with Center for Spiritual Fitness research and much prayer, Back to the Bible today focuses on the spiritual strength and fitness of those who need Jesus the most using the technology that saturates their lives. Today’s digital natives and the generations to follow will only continue to consume information at astonishingly faster rates and in ever newer, exciting ways.
In light of these realities, Back to the Bible continues to honor its founding directive to use the best technology available to share the Gospel and God’s living Word. The staff and leadership are thankful for a Board of Trustees who envision a world in which every individual has the personalized resources to move closer to Christ daily while helping others do so as well.
At its November 2024 annual meeting, the Board of Trustees welcomed two new members.
Jon Ruybalid grew up in central Nebraska and southern Colorado in a family that listened to Back to the Bible radio programs. He attended Grace University (BA) and Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM) which fueled his passion for God’s Word, before attending the University of Minnesota Law School (JD) and Western Governors University (MBA). He is a partner with the Phoenix, Arizona, based law fi rm Schmitt Schneck Even & Williams, P.C. He has been representing and advising religious ministries, churches, nonprofit tax-exempt organizations, social enterprises, and businesses for more than 27 years. Jon has built and sold several businesses, helped entrepreneurs start others, and served in leadership roles with Starbucks Coffee Company, BandPage, and Google. He lives in Henderson, Nebraska with his wife Leslie.
Matt Kleager grew up in Scottsbluff , Nebraska. After attending college in Texas and a four-year stint as a U.S. Army officer, putting down some more permanent roots in Nebraska sounded very appealing. Through a winding road that was instrumental in Matt’s faith journey, he began working in the financial services industry in 2001. Now over 23 years later, Matt’s team at D.A. Davidson works with individual investors, foundations, and corporate retirement plans around the Midwest. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Matt’s team utilizes a comprehensive approach to wealth management by factoring in each client’s tax and estate planning, oftentimes in collaboration with the client’s existing professional advisors. Matt has served as a leader within his company in various capacities and he feels very blessed to get up every day to do something that he loves! Matt and Angela have attended and served at First Evangelical Free Church for more than 20 years. They are the parents of Emme and Cale.
Please pray for these men and their future years of service along with Dale Michels, Sylvana Airan, Cara Whitney, Harold Berry and Arnie Cole.