In this episode, Dr. G reflects on what he believes was the single most significant turning point in Multnomah’s biblical mission — a moment he witnessed firsthand from inside the room. While many small decisions shape a school over time, this one marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new direction. With the retirement of longtime leadership, the Board faced a defining choice: which vision would guide Multnomah forward? Two distinct models were presented. One followed the historic path of the traditional Bible college — the model shaped by Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Willard, and the very vision Dr. G had been recruited to serve. The other proposed a new hybrid identity, positioned somewhere between a Bible college and a Christian liberal arts institution, reimagined as a “biblical university.” Dr. G candidly shares how the question wasn’t really about survival strategies or guarantees of success. No one could know what would work long-term. The real issue, for him, was faithfulness. His conviction was simple but costly: keep the mission exactly the same — or die trying. He made it clear he had no interest in leadership unless the school was committed to that path. When the Board made its decision, Multnomah turned. Enrollment rose, structures changed, and a new chapter began — one that would define the school’s trajectory for the next 25 years. This episode offers a sober, thoughtful look at how institutional decisions ripple across decades, shaping not just policies, but identity itself.

In This Video
• The leadership transition that marked the end of an era
• Two competing visions for Multnomah’s future
• The tension between Bible college and liberal arts models
• Why “faithfulness over certainty” mattered most
• How one decision shaped the next 25 years

About This Series
This video is part of a collection celebrating the story, ministry, and legacy of Dr. Garry Friesen (Dr. G), honoring the heritage of Multnomah School of the Bible / Multnomah University and the continuing work God is doing through new ministries around the world.

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If these stories encourage you, feel free to like, subscribe, and share with others who knew and loved Multnomah — and with believers growing in faith in Rwanda and beyond. Videos are also available at https://www.youtube.com/@ABCMultnomah.

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The production of these videos was provided by the Multnomah Family Team, if you would like to help sponsor more videos like this, please contact us here.