Still Focused ; Focus On the Family's Founder Turns 70 This Month. He Says He's As Passionate As Ever About Children, Families and the Ministry He Founded in 1977.

Summary

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James Dobson grins from dozens of picture frames in the Focus on the Family lobby: Threeyear-old Dobson, wrapped in his father's right arm. Crew-cut Dobson dodging confetti with his new wife, Shirley. Dobson with friends, Dobson with politicians, Dobson with gigantic, freshwater fish. On a basketball court. At a football game. In the studio. Smiling. Smiling.

An estimated 250,000 annual visitors see these pictures, and many linger. These 65 images, personal and professional, are the closest most will get to Dobson -- the man many feel they already know through the radio, books and mass-mailed letters.

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Still Focused ; Focus On the Family's Founder Turns 70 This Month. He Says He's As Passionate As Ever About Children, Families and the Ministry He Founded in 1977.

"Before one-to-one marketing was in vogue, Doc was doing it," Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, said of Dobson. "He's always done it."

The influence of Dobson, who turns 70 on April 21, is felt in every corridor at Focus on the Family, one of the most influential Christian organizations in the world. His words and will formed its foundation.

Even as Focus leaders consider how the ministry will fare in a post-Dobson era -- and even as Dobson himself downplays his own significance -- it's clear that Focus on the Family, for many, is Dobson.

"What happens with these guys (organizations) is it's very hard to find a successor," said Paul Harvey, who teaches religious history at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. "When the charismatic founder goes away, who's going to replace h...

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