Jesus in the Upper Left: They Shut Down Multnomah. Now There’s a $30M Moral Problem | Dr. Gary Friesen
What happened to Multnomah Bible College, its Portland campus, and the legacy built by generations of students, faculty, donors, and churches?
In this episode of Jesus in the Upper Left, Oshawa Hawthorne sits down with longtime Multnomah professor Dr. Gary Friesen to discuss the school’s closure, its transition to Jessup University, the debt attached to the campus, and the moral questions now being raised by the Multnomah Legacy Project.
Dr. Friesen shares why his team believes Multnomah’s community did not receive what it was promised, how private conversations with Jessup developed into an open letter and public campaign, and why the group made a $12 million reconciliation offer despite having no money or formal authority.
They also discuss:
Why Dr. Friesen believes Multnomah lost sight of its original mission
The reported loans secured against the Portland campus
The leadership changes that followed the controversy The possibility of a new Bible college emerging from Multnomah’s legacy
How alumni, churches, and supporters can respond
Dr. Friesen’s work training pastors and building Africa’s largest theological library in Rwanda
Why he believes pursuing justice matters even when success appears impossible
This conversation reflects Dr. Friesen’s perspective and his account of an ongoing situation. Listeners are encouraged to review the available documents and reach their own conclusions.
Learn more about the Multnomah Legacy Project by searching “Multnomah Legacy Project.”
For more episodes, resources, and opportunities to connect with gospel-centered leaders across the Pacific Northwest, visit UpperLeftShow.com.
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