Rev. Gustave "Uncle Gus" Woerner

Dr. Bandy once described Uncle Gus as “a most unusual person in vitality, versatility, and vision.” Those traits led this man of God to pursue a divine call to evangelize the world during a time of great change, world wars, and closed doors throughout Europe and Asia. He then answered God’s call to join the faculty at Toccoa Falls which “became the crowning opportunity of his vision to fulfill the Great Commission . . .” Today, hundreds of students who sat under his tutelage are now around the globe proclaiming God’s love and saving grace.

Uncle Gus’s preparation for ministry began September 1920 which he enrolled in the Missionary Training Institute of Nyack, New York. He was the first student to receive World War I benefits at Nyack. While there, he applied for service to French Indo-China, a foreign field laid on his heart as early as age 15. However, his willingness to go anywhere God led him opened up opportunities of service that he never dreamed. During his ministry, he mastered several languages, served on three fields in the Far East for 20 years, and trained missionary candidates for over 30 years.


In 1975 Rev. and Mrs. Gustave (Pauline) Woerner celebrated 50 years of marriage. This was also the year of his retirement, which coincided with Miss Ora B. Landis’ retirement. It was at this same time that the Gustave Woerner Lecture Series Fund was established by friends of the Woerner’s in honor of his golden wedding and ministry anniversaries. They lived on campus until their deaths.

One of his desires was that provisions for missionaries who had trained at Toccoa Falls College be available for them during their furlough. During the mid to late 1950’s when Hendon Brown was Executive Director for the Alumni Association, a special project was initiated to raise money for such an endeavor. That construction project launched an on-going building project that produced several missionaries homes built in the area of campus named “missionary hill.” Friendly Martin Lumber Company agreed to construct a three-bedroom house for an initial payment of $2,000 and then accept monthly amortized payments for the balance. That building was named the “Alumni Missionary House.”

Following that project was the Fred Woerner Missionary house which was named for Gus’ brother who helped raised his children. Funds came from Fred’s 14 brothers and sisters, many of whom attended Toccoa Falls College.

The third house was the Carlisle Missionary house funded by Janie Carlisle Hargraves (Miss Janie), a graduate of Nyack, who was a close friend of Dr. Forrest and Kelly Barnes.

The fourth house was the Gus Woerner Missionary Home which was funded in part by friends of the Woerner family. By 1978 five missionary homes were built on the college campus, all occupied by missionary families on furlough.

Uncle Gus wrote the following hymn in 1923 while he was a student at Nyack Missionary Training Institute. This was adopted as the class song. A fellow student, Robert Gilley, wrote the music. This hymn is reflective of Uncle Gus’ lifetime motto.

Not I, But Christ

Not I, but Christ, shall be exalted,
Not I, but Christ, be lifted up;
Not I, but Christ, shall have the glory,
'Twas He who drank the bitter cup.

Chorus:
Not I, but Christ: not I but Christ.
My constant prayer shall be,
Oh, crucify each vain desire,
And live Thy life in me.

Not I, but Christ, has wrought salvation,
Not I, but Christ, shall have the praise;
Not I, but Christ, can save the sinner,
And fill his soul with joyful lays.

Not I, but Christ, shall rule my being,
Not I, but Christ, direct my ways:
Not I, but Christ, the new life living,
Of constant victory day by day.

Not I, but Christ, our glorious motto,
Not I, but Christ, our only theme;
Not I, but Christ, till ev'ry creature,
Shall own Him Lord and King supreme.

Editor's Note:

Although Rev. Gustave Woerner was not a true alumnus of Toccoa Falls Training (he went to the "other" school), he was the head of the Missions Department of Toccoa Falls Institute for many years, 1943-1975. Therefore, we grant him "honorary" status. Excerpts are taken from "Uncle" Gus Woerner by David J. Fant, Litt. D., 1978.