Dr. Wayne Gardner, President of Toccoa Falls College

Dear Friends,

Years ago, I had the opportunity to take a group of boys from an Explorer Post to Philmont Scout Ranch, which is just outside Cimarron, New Mexico. Our trek was ambitious: for ten days we would hike five to six mountain peaks over 126 miles with the altitude topping out at over 12,000 feet on Mount Baldy.

It was a challenge, but it was one we believed we could do. We realized we would be tested—mentally and physically along the way. This reminds me of how Satan will try anything to prevent God’s children from reaching the goals that He has helped us set for our lives.

We began the journey full of energy and excitement. During the third night out, a bear paid an unannounced visit to our campsite. Our confidence may have been shaken some, but we got up the next morning and headed back out on the trail. By the fourth day, the rations we had carefully packed suddenly seemed very uninviting. And even though it was the middle of July, we woke up each morning feeling cold and stiff. This is when I noticed several of the guys beginning to complain about being tired. They even hinted at quitting. What had seemed like a fun adventure a few weeks earlier was becoming a very tough experience.

On the sixth day, we set up camp at the base of Mount Baldy near an altitude of 10,000 feet. I decided that for us to make it to the top, we would have to get up at 4 a.m. and begin our climb. That next morning as we neared the tree line where we would start our final climb to the top, most of the boys began to grumble, “I’m tired,” one said. “I don’t think we can make it,” another chimed. “I just don’t want to go on,” someone said, followed by a chorus in agreement.

Honestly, I never thought about turning back, because I believe if God gives us a challenge, we must finish the course. Will there be difficulties along the way? Absolutely. This is just one of the principles I share with our students during chapel at the beginning of the spring semester. Often we don’t have the luxury of choosing an alternate or easy route. Jesus faced great temptations—ones that we could never face—but His determination to do the Father’s will kept Him focused and squarely on course. He is our supreme example of victory over possible defeat.

Charles Haddock Spurgeon said, “God never trains His soldiers on feather couches. He trains them by placing them in the heat of the battle with bullets flying past their heads.” The only way we can become more than conquerors is to take the life of Christ as our own and make a “once and for all” decision that we will not retreat no matter what befalls us.

Early that morning as I stood before this group calculating the cost of failure, I realized this one journey—this single event—could become a flag of victory to fly in each one of our lives. But we had to make a choice. We could go on to reach our goal, or we could turn back in defeat and settle for something much less than God’s best.

I turned to my senior patrol leader and said, “I’m going on ahead. When the guys ask where I am, tell them I am going to the top. Let’s see what they do.” Then I added, “Will they let an old man of 28 do something they refused to do?”

I began the climb. It was difficult; but on the way up I discovered that I had a sense of fresh energy. I was no longer focused on the condition of the path or the steepness of the grade or on the fact that I had been doing this for nearly a week. Instead, my eyes were set on the summit. I was consumed with one thing: reaching my goal, running with endurance, and finishing the course. The author of Hebrews admonishes us to “run with endurance the race that is set before [you], fixing [your] eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

I was about 500 feet from the top when I realized there were others with me. I turned around and looked and every member of our group was coming up the trail. I kept climbing.  When I reached the top, my best hiker was right there with me. We had all made it. No one had turned back. No one was left behind, and no one quit, because as a leader I had set an example. There will be times in this life when we are tempted to turn back. But even when the course before us appears difficult from our perspective, we need to remember that from God’s vantage point it is nothing more than a walk of faith at His side. He is our omnipotent Leader.

The students of Toccoa Falls College have a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference in this world. I believe it is our mandate from God to offer the preparation they need to become godly servant leaders, who refuse to give up or abandon their faith and their goals.

People often ask me what they can do for the college. Prayer is essential and one of the first things I mention. Pray that God will give us wisdom as we plan for the future and that we will run the course that He has set before us with endurance and a steadfast faith.

I also want to update you on the reconstruction of Gate Cottage. It is well under way. In fact, we believe it will be completed by mid-April. The new counseling building is also scheduled to be ready for use by the first of that same month. You will remember that we were able to take the insurance money received from the Gate Cottage fire and build these two new structures. I rejoice, as I know Dr. Forrest would, that once again God has proven His faithfulness to Toccoa Falls College by giving us beauty for ashes. Thank you for your prayers for the college and for your continued support through giving. The work we do for the Lord today will have eternal results.

Together in His service,

Dr. W. Wayne Gardner
President
Toccoa Falls College

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