Because he could only take classes on Tuesday nights, it took Perry Walker nearly 14 years, but he finally earned his advanced diploma from Samford University’s extension division.
“I’ve been going on and off again since about 1990,” Walker said, who is pastor of Pruitt Springs Baptist Church, Moundville, and drives a garbage truck for the city of Northport.
Walker attended classes at the Tuscaloosa Bible Institute (TBI), a ministry of Tuscaloosa Baptist Association.
“I’m thankful for the extension for men like me who don’t have the resources to go to Birmingham to take classes,” said Walker, 47. “We work full-time jobs, pastor churches and can’t afford to go and travel.”
Gary Bonner, associate director of missions for the association, said TBI is the local name for the extension program through Samford in Birmingham.
“We use their curriculum and program,” Bonner said. “We help bivocational pastors receive education. This is for people who want to study and prepare for ministry or for personal growth.”
Bonner said he has known Walker for about 30 years and has enjoyed watching him succeed in the program.
“I taught Perry 12th grade government and economics in high school,” Bonner said. “I was also a bivocational pastor — I taught school and was a principal.”
“He’s a fine preacher and man in every regard,” Bonner said. “He has done this over 14 years while holding a job, pastoring a church and raising a family. That’s faithfulness. He really wants to be trained to do the Lord’s work.”
Although Walker completed his certificate, he said he still plans to attend classes and is signed up for a course this fall on great biblical preachers.
“I want to learn more,” Walker said. “I couldn’t walk with [the apostle] Paul but the Lord has let me walk with great giants like Dr. Covington.”
Robert Covington, an emeritus missionary, taught seminary overseas during his career with the International Mission Board. Now, in his retirement, Covington teaches at the Institute each year.
“Rev. Walker’s story is thrilling,” Covington said. “I have a great deal of admiration for him and what he’s done.”
Covington, who has taught Walker six classes, said he’s been impressed with his student.
“He’s always had perfect attendance and is always so cooperative,” Covington said.
Walker, who with his wife, Rosie, has five children and eight grandchildren, said the encouragement of the teachers at the extension encouraged him to continue.
“They understand how it is to pastor and have another full-time job and family,” he said. “They know what we’re going through and they’re there to give support.”
Walker also said the extension teachers’ experience and knowledge kept him coming back for more.
“I’m eager to learn,” Walker said. “God allowed me to walk alongside these men who share their knowledge with me. They don’t mind sharing what they know with me.
“It’s a blessing to me to have men of that caliber to teach me,” he said. “If I could just tote their briefcases it would be a privilege to me.”
Although Walker has been pastor at Pruitt Springs, a National Baptist church, for 10 years he has been in ministry for 21 years.
“Taking these classes has made me a 100 times better pastor,” he said. “They taught me how to research and find the best books to help me grow in the ministry and pastorate.”
Although taking classes through the extension is inexpensive, Walker said sometimes he had to ask for help.
“It’s affordable but if you’re running short, they don’t mind helping you with tuition,” he said.
Bonner said scholarships are usually available for pastors whose incomes fall under a certain amount and students can benefit from donated money.
“Over the years people have donated money for men and women who need help paying for the classes,” Bonner said. “Coming up with the money to pay each time may be hard,” he noted.
Besides the good teaching, Walker enjoyed interacting with other students.
“It’s good to be with other ministers like me,” he said. “We understand each other — some were black, some white — and we learn from each other.”
He said he wants to learn more about preaching.
“I want to learn as much as I can.”
“I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it and didn’t know I could do it,” he said. “The Lord gave me the ability to go."
For more information on the Samford extension division, call 205-726-2731.
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