Bush Memorial Baptist Church, Troy
Salem-Troy Baptist Association
Favorite Verse: Matthew 28:18–20
Favorite Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”
Hobbies: Hunting; riding horses
Family Status: Wife of 28 years, Priscilla; children, Livvie, Schyler, Madison, Chad and Michelle Walker; three grandchildren
Alvie Walker, 51, has taught a Sunday School class, is a deacon and, with his wife, instructs a Wednesday night children’s class at his church. During major events at Heart of Dixie Trail Rides in Troy, Walker preaches at a cowboy church. He also has worked with cowboy churches in Idaho. A sergeant first class in the Army National Guard, Walker is retiring from active duty with 26 years of service. Including his prior Marine Corps service, he has a total of 32 years in the military. Currently he and his wife are raising financial support for the work they will do after they move to Idaho in the future. There the couple will minister alongside North American Mission Board (NAMB) church planters David and Sue Kite and NAMB cowboy church-planting catalyst Jim Ballard.
Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?
A: My parents — they brought me up in church — and my grandparents too. I was 8 years old when I accepted Christ. One day, I heard the preacher say that if you don’t accept Christ and die, you don’t go to heaven. I realized that day that just going to church and being a good person wouldn’t save you. I realized I was a sinner and I had to accept what Christ did.
Q: When and how were you led into this ministry work?
A: About four or five years ago, I turned my life over to Christ and said, “Wherever You want me to go, whatever You want me to do.” When I set foot in that cowboy church in Idaho, God just burdened my heart that this is where He wants me to be. My wife fell in love with the people. She felt the need in Idaho also. The hunger for the gospel out there is so great.
Q: What does this ministry work demand?
A: It demands a lot of time: a lot of travel time, a lot of study time, a lot of ministry time. The greatest need for my wife and me is to get support, people who will sponsor us while we’re out there.
Q: What do you get from this ministry work?
A: I get the satisfaction to know that I am a part of God’s plan, of being the voice, the hands, the feet of Him, to share Jesus with the people in Idaho who have never heard who He is.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: I’m hoping to be involved in it for a long time. I hope to continue to build churches in Idaho and continue to share the gospel.
Q: What difference will this ministry make for you in the future?
A: It will give me the feeling that I am doing God’s will, what He wants me to do and not what I want to do. I feel God has called me to do this. And I’m willing to do this for Him.
Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?
A: Oh my. Following Christ in my life has changed everything … the way I think, everything. Christ has changed who I am.
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