Worthy, Integrity, and Beyond
The Inspirational Journey Of Byron Williamson In Christian Publishing
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that count."– Winston Churchill
In the vast world of consumer book publishing, few stories resonate with the depth, resilience, and unwavering commitment of Byron Dale Williamson. Born on January of 1946, Williamson's journey from a farmhouse in rural North Texas to becoming a stalwart figure in the field of global religious book publishing is nothing short of remarkable.
Early Life and Education
Williamson's formative years laid the groundwork for a life devoted to faith and the development of compelling spiritual content. Completing his M.S. in ministry and church history from Abilene Christian University in 1974, Williamson honed his intellectual prowess under the guidance of esteemed professors from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Duke, the University of Chicago, USC, and St. Andrews in Scotland.
A Vision for Children's Books
In 1983 the seeds of entrepreneurship were sown as Williamson founded the first iteration of Worthy Publishing; an endeavor fueled by a vision for impactful children's books. Along with books by noted Christian music artists Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, he conceived and developed the groundbreaking International Children’s Bible (ICB), which read at a third-grade reading level. The subsequent creation of an easy-toread adult translation, the New Century Version (NCV), further solidified his commitment to making the Bible accessible to readers worldwide.
Executive Leadership at Word Publishing
The year 1988 saw Worthy Publishing merge with Word, Inc., a CapCities/ABC company, now a division of Walt Disney, catapulting Williamson into the role of executive vice president and group publisher of Word Publishing. During this tenure, he orchestrated successful publications featuring luminaries such as Billy Graham, Max Lucado, Charles Colson, Nolan Ryan, and Charles R. Swindoll. His contributions extended beyond individual works, encompassing the completion of significant series like the Communicator’s Commentary series and the Word Biblical Commentaries.
Now President of Thomas Nelson
The acquisition of Word by Thomas Nelson in December 1992 marked a pivotal moment in Williamson's career, leading to his appointment as President of Thomas Nelson and Word. Shortly thereafter the company achieved a milestone with its listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 1995. And the transformation of WordKids into Tommy Nelson children’s books and the launch of J. Countryman gift books showcased Williamson's strategic acumen with heavy distribution through mainstream retailers such as B. Dalton, Walden Books, and Walmart. Nelson became the 8 th largest consumer book publisher in North America.
Founding Integrity Publishers
In fiscal 1999, driven by an unwavering vision, Williamson resigned from Nelson/Word to found Integrity Publishers in 2001. Nashville-based Integrity swiftly rose to a leadership position in the Christian book industry, leaving an indelible mark with publications like Sarah Young's Jesus Calling and Max Lucado’s It’s Not About Me. In 2007 Integrity was acquired by Thomas Nelson, setting the stage for a subsequent chapter in Williamson's journey.
Worthy's Renaissance
After the Nelson acquisition, Williamson resigned and revived the Worthy Publishing brand in 2011. A testament to his enduring commitment, among many others, he signed and published The Jeremiah Study Bible, novels by Jerry Jenkins, and 17-week New York Times bestseller from John Hagee, Four Blood Moons, as well as forging an imprint agreement with the new Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC. Then in 2018 Worthy was acquired by Hachette USA.
Legacy and Recognition
Over four decades Byron Williamson has significantly contributed to Christian publishing, earning him the prestigious ECPA Chair’s Award in 2021 for a lifetime of achievements. His legacy spans thousands of books, representing hundreds of millions of copies sold worldwide in over 50 languages.
Byron Williamson's journey is not just a narrative of entrepreneurial successes, but a testament to resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to the transformative power of Christian literature.