As Christian publishing house BPK Gunung Mulia approaches its 80th anniversary on October 31, Indonesian author Anton Sulistiyanto shares both his journey into publishing and the ways the Lord has been working through the faithful ministry of local Christian writers and publishing staff over the last eighty years.
Please share the story of how BPK Gunung Mulia came to be—how things got started, key milestones in your history, significant ways the Lord has provided and led.
BPK Gunung Mulia was founded on October 31, 1946, just one year after Indonesia declared its independence. It was a time when the country was rebuilding, not only physically but also socially and spiritually. Our founders believed that books could make a meaningful contribution by nurturing faith, education, and character. They saw books as one humble way to participate in God’s work.
Over nearly eight decades, Indonesia has changed in many ways, and so has publishing. We have experienced political transitions, economic crises, technological change, and the move into the digital age. Each generation has faced different questions about how best to serve the Church and society.
Looking back, what stands out most is not a list of achievements but the many people God has brought into this journey—authors, readers, churches, educators, ministry partners, and colleagues who have faithfully served, often behind the scenes. Their dedication has sustained this ministry through changing times.
As we approach our eightieth anniversary, we simply hope to remain faithful to the purpose for which BPK Gunung Mulia was founded: to partner with the Church in sharing the Good News through literature.
How did the Lord lead you personally to serve with BPK Gunung Mulia? What excites or encourages you about your ministry?
I think my journey into publishing began long before I joined BPK Gunung Mulia. I grew up in a family and education where books were always part of my life. Reading encouraged me, and many of those books helped shape the way I think, learn, and understand the world.
Over time, I discovered that publishing is not only about producing books. It is about connecting authors, ideas, and readers, often in ways we never fully see.
One of the most encouraging parts of this work is hearing from readers who say that a particular book arrived at just the right moment in their lives. Those stories remind me that books often do their work quietly, one reader at a time.
I am grateful to play a small part in that process alongside many colleagues whose dedication makes every publication possible.
What are some key lessons the Lord has taught you and your team? Please share your top three tips for publishing houses that are just starting out.
One lesson we continue to learn is to stay focused on the people we hope to serve. Every publisher needs to be sustainable, but it is always worth asking, “How will this book help its readers?”
A second lesson is that publishing is always a team effort. Behind every book are authors, editors, designers, marketers, printers, booksellers, and many others whose contributions are equally important.
Third, keep learning. Reading habits, technology, and publishing platforms continue to change, and we need to adapt without losing sight of the values that matter most.
Perhaps the most important lesson is that mission should always be greater than business. Financial sustainability matters because without it, a publishing ministry cannot continue serving. We have learned that holding these two realities in balance is one of the most important responsibilities of a Christian publisher.
Please describe BPK Gunung Mulia’s engagement with local authors.
One of the most encouraging developments in recent years has been seeing more Indonesian authors write from their own experiences and contexts. While translated books remain valuable, we believe local voices also have an important contribution to make.
Our role is simply to walk alongside authors. Sometimes that means discussing an early idea, sometimes providing editorial guidance, and sometimes helping connect their work with readers through book launches, discussions, or writing workshops.
We hope BPK Gunung Mulia can continue to be a welcoming place where both experienced writers and first-time authors feel supported as they develop works that serve the Church and Indonesian society.
How would you describe the greatest opportunities and challenges for Christian publishing in your context?
Indonesia is home to remarkable cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity. That diversity brings both opportunities and responsibilities for Christian publishers. Readers are looking for resources that speak thoughtfully into everyday life while remaining rooted in biblical faith.
Reading now competes with many other forms of media, especially digital content that is consumed quickly. Reaching readers across a large archipelago is also not always easy, and book piracy continues to affect both authors and publishers.
Even so, I remain optimistic. Every generation discovers books differently, and that invites us to keep learning and experimenting. The format may change, but people’s search for wisdom, hope, and meaningful conversation has not disappeared. As publishers, we hope to continue serving those needs in ways that are relevant, thoughtful, and accessible.
What genres do you currently publish, and why this particular focus?
Our list has grown gradually in response to the needs of churches, schools, and readers across Indonesia. Today we publish theology, biblical studies, Christian living, children’s books, family and parenting, church ministry, education, biographies, church history, and academic resources.
They all share the same purpose: helping people grow in faith, knowledge, and wisdom throughout different stages of life. Some books are written for pastors and students, while others are intended for parents, children, or general readers.
If money and time were no object, what would BPK Gunung Mulia seek to publish in the next 80 years?
We would love to see more Indonesian Christian authors writing books that speak meaningfully to our own context and, perhaps, also contribute to conversations beyond Indonesia. We also hope to continue exploring digital publishing, audiobooks, and other new formats without losing our commitment to thoughtful, well-edited content.
Whatever changes the future may bring, I believe the heart of publishing will remain the same: helping people encounter ideas that inspire faith, encourage reflection, and enrich life. If BPK Gunung Mulia can continue doing that for future generations, we would consider it a meaningful legacy.
How can readers pray for BPK Gunung Mulia and its vision and mission?
We would be grateful if readers would remember BPK Gunung Mulia in their prayers.
Please pray that we will continue to serve faithfully as publishing continues to change. Pray for wisdom for authors, editors, designers, marketers, and everyone whose work contributes to bringing a book from an idea into the hands of readers.
We also hope you will pray for a new generation of Christian writers in Indonesia. There are many important stories still waiting to be told and many conversations that deserve thoughtful Christian voices.
Above all, we pray that every book we publish—whether it reaches thousands of readers or only a few—may encourage people to grow in faith, understanding, and hope. If our work can quietly contribute to that, we will have every reason to be thankful.
Anton Sulistiyanto continues to learn the art of writing, even though books have shaped his life since his youth. He has worked in the publishing world for many years, beginning as an editor at Tira Pustaka and Bhuana Ilmu Populer (KKG), before joining BPK Gunung Mulia in 2007, where he serves to this day. His journey in literature and faith has nurtured a quiet conviction—words, when offered sincerely, can carry light into uncertain places.