Bishop Joseph Walker, III

“My message to this generation is that every generation has left something of substance on record which extends beyond two to three generations forward. However, this generation has bought into the trappings of this world and currently has nothing of substance to give. No one knows what to do with this generation. And I asked God to build me up to guide them. They need positive and relevant leadership.” – Bishop Joseph Warren Walker III
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, 40-year-old pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church of Nashville, Tennessee is a valiant hope-bearer with the spiritual conviction, moral aptitude and acumen to return a people back to God. Of this mammoth calling, Bishop Walker say “historically, our community has had a voice from the church. This generation does not have that voice. God has given me the ability to capture the hearts and minds of this generation for which there is a call for great stewardship.”
In 1992, at the age of 24, Walker began his pastorate at Mount Zion with 175 members. Under Bishop Walker’s leadership, Mount Zion’s ministry has expanded beyond its original location in the Historic Jefferson Street Corridor to seven weekly services in three locations. In the year of 2001, the church completed a $17 million dollar, state-of-the-art ministry complex that seats 5,000. This second location was the first phase of a $60 million dollar, twelve-year building project. In December 2003, Mount Zion completed a third location in Antioch, TN. Named Mount Zion Plaza, this project consists of a $7 million dollar retail and ministry complex. This now debt-free ministry complex serves as a multi-purpose facility that accommodates 2,000 at one sitting.
Walker’s commitment to moral leadership and unyielding integrity to this generation would be tested during a period Walker describes as “Between Sundays”. “Between Sundays”, the soon to be released book which is authored by Bishop Walker, serves as the voice of reconciliation as Walker discerns the death of his wife Diane to stomach cancer, approximately a year-and-a-half ago. In amazement, his pre and post sacrifice in the continuation of ministry has become a benchmark of his stewardship. Of which he gallantly states, “Through this experience I realize now that I can be trusted, much like Job, with trouble. And when God trusts us he gives us the privilege of suffering so that others would be blessed.”
Since the death of Bishop Walker’s wife Diane, Walker has founded the non-profit organization J. W. Walker Ministries, which has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to deserving college students in her honor.
In fact, Bishop Walker’s firm economic philosophy for the urban community has become a benchmark in his ministry. Regarding the infringement of disparity within the economic boundaries of the African American community specifically, Walker states his work resides in the reversal of economic irresponsibility. “We [the Mount Zion Ministry] are turning over the stone of economic irresponsibility in our community by investing in programs and partnering with outside agencies to bring about a change.” Walker, who currently holds a Governor-appointed post of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, has championed the additional causes of healthcare and multicultural and generation separation. Walker considers the ministry’s civil achievements paramount to the healing occurring within the African American community as a whole.
Beyond the resilient works of Mount Zion, and his facilitation of J. W. Walker Ministries, the savvy businessman presides over the communication company, Exodus Productions. The Production Company harbors video, audio and print production services. Regarding Exodus, Walker believes that the influence garnered from the production company in the area of media is considered a mantle within the realm of his business accomplishments.
Vowing never to abandon the neighborhood where Mount Zion was founded, Walker founded the New Level Community Development Corporation in 2001. Walker serves as vice-chairman of New Level CDC, which is committed to low-and moderate-income families and to community economic development. Incorporated within the assertive listing of Bishop Walker’s activities are his outreach communication services which include a continuous torrent of webcasts via Streaming Faith.com, eight weekly television broadcasts and two daily radio ministries. The broadcasts air across the United States on BET (Black Entertainment Television), the Word Network, and TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) on which he is featured as a regular host and guest.
Bishop Walker, who because of his business acumen was voted in 2004 ‘Top 40 under 40’ by the Tennessee Business Magazine, enlarged his scope of business fairings to include the area of music, under the auspices of his J3 Enterprises, a sublabel imprint of Light Records. Under his directive, the Mount Zion Dove-nominated Choir has recorded three stellar albums entitled “Worship in His Presence”, “Praise in His Presence”, and “Shout in the Spirit”. Most recently, Walker became the visionary behind Mount Zion’s youth choir, Judah Generation, who recorded their debut album, “Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III Presents Judah Generation”.
Uncertain times call for sound guidance. Through his life and ministry, Bishop Joseph Warren Walker, III, has demonstrated a caliber of leadership well beyond his years. He is rapidly becoming the voice of a silenced generation whose cry for substantive national leadership has yet to be answered.
For a complete biography, please read the blog above.
Mount Zion Baptist Church
www.mtzionnashville.org
(615) 254-7296
Exodus Productions
www.exodusproductionsinc.com