Betty Gardner

Austin Gardner • August 18, 2022

49 wonderful years

I could never imagine life without you. From our first date till today, you have been my everything. 


As my everything, you challenged me to be all I could for the Lord. You loved me through the most trying of times. You have never faltered or failed in all the time I have known you.


I still remember dreaming of having children together and then God gifting us the four most wonderful children any parent could dream of.


You have lived in so many different houses, in three countries, various ministries that most would never believe. You have served and loved people all over the world. 


Today, I want you to know that I am the most blessed man ever. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend, wife, mother, grandmother, and most of all, colaborer in the Lord's work. Thank you for it all. I love you.


I am looking forward to more life together with you.

Dream-Chasers and Coat-Givers: How to Encourage Your Child's God-Sized Dreams

By Austin Gardner • March 17, 2026
Jacob’s coat of many colors was more than a gift; it was a symbol of belief. Are you nurturing the "weird" dreams God puts in your children? Learn how to be a safe harbor for their calling.
Austin Gardner in China

No One Gets a Pass: Why Everyone Is Responsible for the Great Commission

By Austin Gardner • March 16, 2026
Stop thinking the Great Commission is only for "special forces" Christians. Whether you are called to go or called to give, everyone has a role in God's mission. Explore the biblical mandate from Ezra to Acts.

Faith in the Face of Pompe Disease: The Canfield Family Story

By Austin Gardner • March 15, 2026
Facing Pompe disease, the Canfield family shows how faith, grace, and courage hold a family steady in suffering and reveal the quiet strength of God's love.

The Reuben Trap: Why Half-Hearted Bravery Isn't Enough

By Austin Gardner • March 15, 2026
Learn from Reuben's mistake in Genesis 37. Half-hearted courage fails every time. Discover why real leadership requires backbone, boldness, and the willingness to stand alone. By W. Austin Gardner.
A signature logo of W. Austin Gardner, representing a lifetime of ministry and leadership mentoring

I Have Decided: The Foundation of the Austin Gardner Story

By Austin Gardner • March 14, 2026
Discover how a simple decision at age 11 became the foundation for the Austin Gardner Story: 50 years of global ministry, church planting in Peru, and a shift to radical grace.
A man reflecting on a bench, symbolizing the internal struggle with the

Austin Gardner Reviews: Life Lessons from the Johnson Grass

By Austin Gardner • March 13, 2026
In this edition of Austin Gardner Reviews, Austin explains how the stubborn "Johnson Grass" on a farm mirrors the legalism in our souls—and how only God can deal with the roots.
Austin Gardner sharing his story of growing up in a shack and finding 50 years of ministry through G

The Austin Gardner Story: From a Shack on the River to 50 Years of Ministry

By Austin Gardner • March 12, 2026
Discover the true Austin Gardner Story: a journey from a humble shack on the river to 50 years of global ministry, highlighting a father’s sacrifice and God’s radical grace.
Austin Gardner, survivor of Stage 4 Cancer and COVID-19, sharing his journey of faith and resilience

Three Brushes with Death: The Austin Gardner Faith and Resilience Journey

By Austin Gardner • March 11, 2026
After 50 years in ministry, Stage 4 cancer and 21 days on a ventilator didn't just test Austin Gardner's pulse—they dismantled his theology and rebuilt it on radical grace. Read the full Austin Gardner story of faith and resilience.

The Counsel of Destruction: Who Is Whispering in Your Ear?

By Austin Gardner • March 10, 2026
Is the noise of the world drowning out God's voice? Austin Gardner shares a powerful lesson from King Ahaziah on the legacy of "wicked counsel" and how to find rest in the grace of Jesus.

The Leader's Secret Weapon: Why Forgiveness is Your Greatest Power Move

By Austin Gardner • March 9, 2026
The leader who can't forgive won't last. Discover why forgiveness isn't weakness—it's strategic leadership gold. Learn from Joseph’s story how to lead with grace and mental clarity.