Biographical Information on the
Walker Family

Bill was born on February 22, 1969 to Ron and Mary Ann Walker, in Sullivan, Indiana. He was the first baby born into the then newly founded Emmanuel Evangelical Methodist church. His parents were called to the mission field even before this “blessed event”! He was born again in the Spring of 1977 while his parents were attending language school in San Jose, Costa Rica. Moving to Bolivia in March of 1979, Bill lived with his parents in Bolivia for over 9 years. He was himself called by God to be a missionary when he was 17. God used Matthew 28:19-20 to get his attention. Following high school graduation in 1988, Bill left home and attended Vennard College to train for missionary service. There he served as president of the campus missions association and as also as Resident Assistant in the men’s dormitory. He pastored Tilton Evangelical Methodist Church during his junior and senior years.

Lisa was born on June 22, 1969 (exactly four months after Bill) in Adrian, Michigan. Her parents were commissioned as officers in The Salvation Army and so she grew up as a PK (preachers kid). The oldest of 3 children, she often was called upon to teach Sunday school or be the “youth pastor.” She was saved at an early age and like so many of us, struggled against peer pressure as a teen. She “left home” following high school graduation in Joplin, Missouri, where her parents were ministering. Lisa attended Missouri Southern State College for a short time. However, God had other plans for her and the following year, she enrolled in--you guessed it--Vennard College! Lisa thought she had to be a Salvation Army officer, but the Lord would eventually change all that.

Bill and Lisa met right away (before classes began) and soon became good friends, but romance didn’t start until later in the school year. While attending Vennard, Lisa joined the EMC that Bill was pastoring, and they were partners in ministry even before they were partners in marriage. They prayed and struggled together, rejoicing in victories and learning through failures. During their Freshman year at Vennard, both completely surrendered themselves to the Lord and were sanctified by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Lisa was called of God to missions during the summer between her freshman and sophomore years, while she was touring with the college summer music team. Rev. John Kunkle (Uncle Kunkle) was preaching at a youth camp, and God used the message one night to pierce her heart. She yielded again to the Spirit’s urging and testified to having accepted the call to missions.

Lisa and Bill dated all four years of Bible college and were married on May 16, 1992. Following their wedding, they lived and worked in a Oskaloosa, Iowa--a small town near Vennard College. Together, they would come to learn the difference between the plans that people make and those of the Lord. They now understand Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Feeling led of the Lord, they moved to San Diego, California in January of 1995 and pastored the EMC there for just over 3 years. While they were in San Diego, the Lord gave them the desire of their heart and they were able to adopt their two sons, Donovan and Josiah. They were 1 and 2 years old at that time. How the Walkers’ lives were turned upside-down!! Much changed, but now their home was full of joy (and noisy boys!) (Birthdays: Donovan--October 16th and Josiah--October 15th)

The EMC Board of World Missions placed the Walkers (now a family of 4) under full appointment in April of 1998 and they moved to Lansing, Michigan, where they lived while making final preparations for fund-raising. In July of 2000, they started full-time deputation and finally reached Mexico in July of 2001. The Walkers spent August of 2001 - April of 2002 studying Spanish at the Harvest Language Center in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Walkers served six years in Mexico, primarily involved with the Life and Truth Bible Institute, but also with other ministries including ministry among English-speaking “foreigners” in Mexico.

After serving in Mexico since 2001, the Walkers have returned to the U.S. due to international security issues resulting from the war between the Mexican federal government and the Mexican drug cartels. They presently (Sept. 2008) reside in Georgia and are serving as multi-cultural missionaries on the Southern District of the Evangelical Methodist Church.