"Take The World, But Give Me Jesus"
By Lois J. Stucky
This month we pay tribute to a former Herald of His Coming worker who was called above on January 12, 2005 – Louise A. L. Woerner. For twenty-five years (1963-1988) Louise served the Lord in the Herald ministry with a faithfulness and a devotion that were outstanding.
Years before she came to the Herald, God’s hand was on Louise for His service. She told us: "After I was saved at the age of 16, I fell in love with Jesus, and I knew that I would one day be in full-time ministry." Her first job after high school graduation was in the office of a church. She was happy serving the Lord there, but that door closed in a few years and she felt it to be the will of the Lord to go to work in the commercial world. For the next eleven years she served in a large business office in Los Angeles.
After Louise had worked in that office for eight or nine years, a Christian lady put her name on the Herald of His Coming mailing list. Louise told us, "I felt the anointing of the Holy Spirit in its pages. Its Spirit-filled messages drew me to my knees in prayer. I spent more time praying for revival and waiting on the Lord. The articles on fasting led me to fast systematically on Wednesday and Friday each week. Through the Herald pages I learned about Sister Moore’s weakness and I prayed for her. As I kept reading the Herald, I had a longing to work there. It seemed every time I prayed for the Herald of His Coming, the glory of the Lord would flood my soul. I read the testimonies how prayer was primary in the Herald work, and the longing continued to increase.
"Though I had hopes of some day working in the Lord’s service, I did not see how I could do it at that time. Still having my father to care for, I thought I had to wait until he passed away, but one morning as I sat at my desk in the large secular office where I was employed, God spoke to me. He said, ‘Why can’t you go now?’ He made me to know that ‘When thou goest, thy way shall be opened up before thee’ (Prov. 4:12, translation)."
Within a month or two, Louise quit her job at the commercial office and became a full-time file clerk at the Herald office, at the same time not neglecting to attend to her aged father, as she had so faithfully cared for her mother and an aunt who lived with them until they were called above. A retired nurse who lived next door to the father checked on him during the day while Louise was at the office. One weekend, while she was at home, he became critically ill and soon passed away. After closing out the family home, Louise moved to a room in the Herald of His Coming living quarters and shared in the family living of the twelve or so of the Herald staff to whom the old former mortuary in downtown Los Angeles was home.
Louise had told the Lord she wanted to serve Him even if she only owned one pair of shoes and one dress. She was not concerned about leaving her former salary for the small weekly offering received by Herald workers in those days, knowing that the Lord had called her, and He would supply her every need. She could later testify, "God has never failed! He has supplied my every need and some surprises thrown in. The important thing is to be in the center of God’s will. Material possessions do not bring happiness, but knowing and serving Jesus gives me peace that passes understanding and joy unspeakable that the world can neither give nor take away. It is music to my ears to hear the workers say, ‘Praise the Lord!’ – so different from a worldly office where there is much swearing. I feel the presence of the Lord, especially in the chapel services. Brother Moore exhorts us to press forward in the overcoming life and to pray for revival."
Louise faithfully participated in the daily chapel and prayer services, as well as in the monthly three days of prayer and fasting being held at that time. Giving first place to praying, laying aside desk work for a time, she found the Lord helped the work to get done, for had He not said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33)? Her earnest prayers of faith and her sacrificial spirit were much appreciated as together the staff looked to the Lord for the supply of funds to keep tens of thousands of Herald papers flowing without subscription price to countries around the world. She could always be counted on as one of the core prayer warriors who held on for God to supply the needs.
The Moores recognized that Louise’s humble, godly life, her high integrity, and her willingness to give her all to the Lord, fitted her to carry important responsibilities. These she willingly accepted at their invitation. Her readiness to work long hours when there was a printing deadline to meet, and her careful attention to details made her a valued worker. Her deep-seated desire for revival, and her willingness to sacrifice to see the Lord move in revival power especially blessed Brother and Sister Moore, for this was the passion of their hearts also.
As Sister Moore’s health declined and she needed care in the evening hours, Louise volunteered to take that on in addition to the load of office work she carried during the day. Louise herself often battled with physical infirmities. She could easily have felt she needed extra rest. However, she had the quiet gentleness and compassion that fitted her well to help with Sister Moore’s care. The two of them treasured the close relationship that developed and the prayer times they had together.
After Sister Moore passed away, and Brother Moore’s health began to fail, Louise relieved his regular caregiver on weekends, meanwhile keeping up her work in the office. After Brother Moore went to be with the Lord at the end of 1980, Louise assumed even more responsibility in the leadership of the Herald ministry.
In 1988 when Herald of His Coming made the move from Los Angeles to Newton, Kansas, Louise remained in her native Los Angeles, where she had long been a faithful member of a local church which was dear to her. There she continued serving the Lord as secretary for the church and for their day school. It was at the age of 80 years that the Lord fulfilled the long-time desire of her heart to be with Him.
The Lord Jesus was the love and the joy of Louise’s life, and we can only rejoice for her that she is now in His glorious presence. The Lord has been glorified through her faithful service here below, and as for all faithful followers, He has rich eternal reward for her above.
There is a way and a place in which each of us can render faithful, loving service to our Lord. Might our ears be tuned to His bidding and our hearts be so captivated by His matchless worth that we have no other thought than to follow as He leads.
"Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name;
But His love abideth ever,
Through eternal years the same.
"Take the world, but give me Jesus,
In the cross my trust shall be;
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see."
– Fanny J. Crosby