Trio of Sisters Keep Eye on Literary Vision
Sisters, Oregon -- Maybe realtors are correct and it’s location, location, location: a small-town community work setting that’s nestled among tall Ponderosa pines with a spectacular view of the snow-capped Three Sisters mountains whose peaks are named Faith, Hope, and Charity.
Maybe parents are correct and it’s who you hang out with: James Dobson, Tony Evans, Henry Blackaby, Joshua Harris, Al and JoAnna Lacy, Bill Bright, Bruce Wilkinson, Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson, Andy Stanley. Maybe corporate motivators are correct and it’s what you bring to the table: creative, innovative, self-motivated team players. Maybe my Southwest Louisiana grandmother is correct and it’s just “the good Lord.” Whatever it is, it’s writing a success story at Multnomah Publishers.
In May 1987, Donald C. Jacobson founded Questar Publishers in Phoenix. His vision was to establish a new, bold company that would clearly communicate the Word of God to His people and His church, he explained. Over the next few years, one by one, Jacobson assembled the team that he felt was called to an eternal purpose. His leaders found a community conducive to raising their young families and the company relocated to Sisters, Oregon, in March, 1989.
Jacobson obtained his degree and then worked for Multnomah Bible College and Bible Seminary in Portland. In the ensuing acquisition, many Multnomah Press staff members joined the new company and relocated from Portland to Sisters. The Multnomah name, long associated with high Christian standards, was a deciding factor in the company’s decision to officially change its name on July 1, 1997, from Questar to Multnomah Publishers.
“We’re reminded daily of the glory of God’s creation and of our mission to spread His Word in the world,” President and Publisher Jacobson said, noting the majestic local scenery. “That’s why we’re here—to change lives for the glory of His kingdom.”
The life-changing Word has meant growth for the company: Multnomah recently launched a new vehicle. On the web, Multnomah fans can see what's new in Multnomah Fiction at Fiction.MPBooks.com. The recently launched website features information on all of the latest fiction titles from Multnomah Publishers including downloadable book excerpts and video book trailers on selected titles.
The Christian publishing house produces more than 70 new releases a year and carries more than 300 timeless classics.
“We present spiritual themes in diverse formats ranging from current issues and Christian living to adult fiction,” Jacobson wrote. “Yet we’re much more than that. Multnomah is a company with a heart for God and an eye on the future. Our authors are bold, imaginative, knowledgeable, and in tune with the needs and desires of today’s Christian reader. Our employees are committed to the company’s core values, biblical qualities such as integrity and service.”
Jacobson believes that Multnomah has earned, and he plans to continue to earn, the trust of all its constituencies— authors, booksellers, churches, the media, and of course, readers. That trust, he pointed out, is based on several factors, such as biblical integrity, fresh ideas founded on Christian values, creative design, and a commitment to excellence in every product. “Our pledge to each person who purchases a Multnomah title is: 'Keeping your trust … one book at a time,'” he said.
Multnomah has grown significantly under Jacobson’s 17-year leadership. Today’s staff tops 80, all who are tasked to carry on the purpose of glorifying God as good and faithful stewards of life-changing messages.
Well-known Multnomah authors have names like Evans and Dobson and Gaither, Wilkinson and Harris and Lacy. The company’s authors are in the news, winning awards and bringing attention to their books: Robin Jones Gunn author of the best-selling Sisterchicks series will be on the cover of Romantic Times in September; Russell Cronkhite, author of Return to Sunday Dinner, will have a ten page feature article with color photo’s and recipes in the October issue of Country Living; Gayle Roper’s Autumn Dreams (Seaside Seasons #4) won Romance Writer’s of America prestigious 2004 RITA Award. The RITA is the highest award of excellence in the genre of romance fiction; Mark Buchanan author of Holy Wild won The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Award for the best book in personal growth as well as best single column for Rabbit Trails to God article in Christianity Today; and Linda Hall’s Chat Room won The Word Canadian Christian Writing Awardfor best book in Mystery/Suspense Novel Category.
These writers and their books are some of the 60-70 titles published each year within imprints like Multnomah Books, Multnomah Fiction, Multnomah Gifts, and Multnomah Kidz. Various Multnomah titles have won at least a half-dozen Gold Medallion Book Awards from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, which was established in 1978 to “recognize the absolute highest quality in Christian books. Simply put, they are the finest examples of evangelical publishing. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and significance of contribution, the Gold Medallion Book Awards are among the most prestigious in the industry.”
For years, many of Multnomah Publishers' books have been used to witness, disciple, and edify individuals. You can purchase their books from online sources, or find them at your local bookstore.
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