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John Walker

Shepherd
jwwlker@gmail.com

 John Walker family photo_1.27.23

I was blessed to grow up in a home that made church a priority in our lives. Whether we were attending church in Anthony, KS with my father, or in Hutchinson, KS with my mother - both of my parents made church a priority since as early as I can remember. I know as a child I felt conviction, knew what was right and wrong, but I chose to do what was wrong. I can remember clearly as a child being fearful of hell, and spending eternity in separation from my brother, sister, and parents. My fear led me to asking Jesus to save me over and over again as a child and teenager. I had a very "works-based" approach to my salvation, and did not have a proper understanding of the Gospel. Throughout high school my idol was football. I did nothing but pursue this world and football. My freshman year in college I had a bit of an identity crisis since my identity had been rooted in this world and in football. As I sought to better define who I was, I spent too much time pursuing this world and got to the point where at age 19 I was completely and utterly broken. By God's grace, Jesus saved me. The Lord used my (now) wife to gently remind me of Biblical truths, and at age 19, I recognized that I was a sinner in need of saving, I repented of my sin, and I resolved to follow Christ. Even though I had heard the Word of God taught since a child, I had not heeded God's Word - I had not obeyed God's Word. I recognized the fact that my foundation had been built on sand, not the firm foundation of Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:24-29). I recognized the reality that all of my life up until that point, I had been like the rest of the crowd surrounding Jesus who were simply "amazed", rather than recognizing that they were sinners, repenting of their sin, and resolved to follow Jesus. 

By God's grace, He has continued His sanctifying work in my life to make me look more like Christ. The Lord used Kansas Bible Camp in my early days, months, and years as a new believer to help equip me with Biblical truths that I am eternally thankful for. I certainly recognize the fact that I am not perfect, I do not make perfect decisions, but my desire is to honor and glorify Christ in everything that I say and do. "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all for the name of the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" Colossians 3:17. 

Sarah and I were married in 2010, and in 2012 we had the opportunity to attend Emmaus Bible College where I was blessed to complete my Bachelors degree in Biblical Studies. It was there, at Emmaus, that the Lord helped equip and train me for whatever lay ahead. It was also at that time that the Lord laid the work of Christian education on my heart. Since graduation from Emmaus, I have been blessed to work in Christian education both in the K-12 and higher education sectors as a teacher, coach, professor, and administrator. Nothing beats the work of investing into the lives of young people, and pointing them to the truths found in God's Word. We are blessed to have four beautiful children who we now seek to train in Biblical truths. We have been a part of Grace Bible Church since 2018, and appreciate the reality that there are many other men and women who are seeking to train their children in Biblical truths, and who seek to do the same in the lives of our children. Not only this, but the fellowship centered around God's Word is such a blessing. It is a joy to serve the Lord at Grace Bible Church in this capacity.