Dr. Wayne Gardner, President of Toccoa Falls College

I cannot imagine what Richard Forrest felt as he surveyed the smoldering ruins of Haddock Inn. Everywhere he turned he saw charred reminders of the hopes and dreams he once shared with his wife Evelyn. It appeared that the school they had founded was gone. Questions filled his mind: “Was God displeased with his efforts? Did He want the school to close?” Surely not! Then he noticed a thin line of gray smoke rising up from a pile of rubble and walked over to it.

Picking up a stick, he reached forward to separate the ashes, only to discover that what he was touching was all that remained of his books. His heart sank. These were the books he used to study for the classes he taught at Toccoa Falls. How could he continue? Discouragement sought to overwhelm him, but God had a plan.

In His enduring mercy, the Lord spoke to Dr. Forrest’s heart promising him beauty for ashes and a mantle of praise (Isaiah 61:3). The school would continue and grow to be a college—a tree of His planting and the fruit it bore would have no end. Today, Toccoa Falls College remains as a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness and unshakable ability.

Dr. Forrest often said, “The sun never sets on the graduates of Toccoa Falls College.” The fact is: its alumni serve the Lord around the world. Many are in fields of ministry, while others have entered secular work. Regardless, of their vocations, each one is a powerful reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness to the promise He gave Richard and Evelyn Forrest. On a recent trip to Asia, this truth became very real to me as my wife Donna and I were greeted repeatedly by Toccoa Falls alumni, who were in active service for the Lord.

There is no way to calculate the number of lives that have been touched around the world with the gospel message as a result of the ministry of TFC graduates. As we celebrate 100 years of God’s faithfulness, it is my prayer that we also celebrate His work through the lives of those who go out from here to be used for His kingdom work.

Sincerely,

Dr. W. Wayne Gardner
President
Toccoa Falls College

P. S.
If you are an alumnus of Toccoa Falls College, please write and let us know how God is using you for His glory and honor. It is my personal prayer that He will guide you continually and give you the strength and courage you need to serve Him each day, especially in these difficult times. Stand firm and know that He is the One who watches over you.

Related posts:

1. From the President December 2007 Dear Alumni and Friends, I just finished reading Dr....
2. From the President October 2007 Dear Friends, I continue to stand in amazement over...
3. From the President May 2007 (Editor’s note: The following is a portion of a recent...
4. From the President January 2008 Dear Alumni and Friends, I addressed the first chapel...
5. From the President January 2009 Dear Alumni and Friends, We have now embarked on...