Every generation has a Daniel, a leader who resurrects the hope of a people who are searching for a reason to believe. Bishop Joseph Warren Walker, III, the charismatic pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church of Nashville, Tennessee, is a shepherd with the spiritual conviction, moral aptitude and old-fashioned wisdom to return a people to God.
Reared in Shreveport, Louisiana in the 1970s, Bishop Walker grew up in a household parented by Rosa and Joseph Walker, Jr. Bishop Walker states that his father was a strong disciplinarian, who owned and operated a janitorial service during his son’s adolescent years. “Our summer days, throughout most of my youth, were spent working with my father. I gained my strong work ethic through that experience.” His father, who is a church deacon, also held the position of Superintendent of Sunday School. Bishop Walker's parents instilled in the family a reverence for God, which meant that his public school education was in company with his having a solid biblical foundation.
Bishop Walker received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He went on to earn a Master of Divinity Degree from Vanderbilt University and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. Particularly, he credits Southern University with giving him the wisdom necessary to hold his current post as Bishop of Senior Pastors within the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship under the leadership of International Presiding Bishop Paul S. Morton. Each university, however, allowed him to commune with some of America's leading academic minds, and these scholarly experiences have proven invaluable to him. Bishop Walker is also a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity.
In 1992, at the age of 24, Bishop Walker began his pastorate at Mount Zion with 175 members. Presently, the ministry has grown to over 22,000 and continues to grow at a phenomenal rate of over 1,800 souls per year. Under Bishop Walker’s leadership, Mount Zion's ministry has expanded beyond its original location in the Historic Jefferson Street Corridor to eight weekly services in three locations.
As a philanthropist, Bishop Walker founded the non-profit organization J. W. Walker Ministries, which has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships, through the Dr. Diane Greer Walker Memorial Scholarship Fund, to deserving college students in honor of his late wife, Dr. Diane Greer Walker. Currently, Bishop Walker is the recipient of numerous awards, sits on noteworthy boards, including the Board of the American Red Cross, and holds a governor-appointed post on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission.
Vowing never to abandon the Mount Zion neighborhood, Bishop Walker launched the New Level Community Development Corporation (NLCDC) in 2001. The NLCDC is committed to low-and moderate-income families and to community economic development. Regarding the many disparities that reside in the African-American community, he states that the Mount Zion Ministry is "turning over the stone of economic irresponsibility . . . by investing in programs and by partnering with outside agencies to bring about a change.”
Incorporated within the assertive listing of Bishop Walker’s activities are his outreach communication services, which include a torrent of webcasts, three weekly television broadcasts and a daily radio ministry. Streaming Faith recognized Bishop Walker with the 2008 "Most Inspirational Person" Award as the most charismatic and inspirational broadcaster whose leadership deeply impacted the hearts and lives of viewers.
Bishop Walker is deeply concerned about American's youth, who are near and dear to his heart. He is the visionary behind Mount Zion's Youth & Children's Ministry, which includes Mount Zion's youth choir, Judah Generation. The choir has recorded their debut album entitled Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III Presents Judah Generation. Bishop Walker is also the visionary behind Mount Zion's KidZone, a youth-centered facility for youth worship, tutorial services and outreach. He says that he has asked God to build him up to guide this generation to spur them "to leave something of substance on record [that] extends beyond two to three generations forward."
Throughout his life and ministry, Bishop Walker has demonstrated a caliber of leadership well beyond his years. Recognized as a man from humble beginnings, he is a teacher, humanitarian, philanthropist, businessman, community volunteer and pastor. Bishop Joseph Warren Walker, III is an anointed man of God, who is rapidly becoming a voice calling for substantial national leadership that enhances the quality of life for all people.
Bishop Walker is married to the former Dr. Stephaine Hale. She is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neonatology at Vanderbilt University.
Karen Clark Sheard is one of the premiere vocalists of our time. As a member of the legendary Clark Sisters and daughter of gospel pioneer Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, she has carved her niche in the gospel music industry as an untouchable songstress.
Karen's powerful, anointed soprano – complete with those singularly stylized multi-textured runs, has often been imitated, but never duplicated. She has provided lead vocals on such classics as "Hallelujah," "Endow Me," "Take Me Higher," and "Praying Spirit." Her musical ministry has given inspiration to legions of followers, including recording artists Kenny Lattimore, Faith Evans, Mariah Carey, Nancey Jackson, Kelly Price and Kim Burrell.
Karen Clark Sheard is one of the premiere vocalists of our time. As a member of the legendary Clark Sisters and daughter of gospel pioneer Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, she has carved her niche in the gospel music industry as an untouchable songstress.
