Walker, Paul Haven
Paul Haven Walker (1901-1975) arrived at BTS for the fourth term beginning in November 1919 and attended for two terms. He was born on a 900-acre ranch in North Dakota at the turn of the 20th century.
His childhood was filled with playing with his Native American friends and riding a saddle horse by age 5. He was in all respects a rancher— learning how to handle livestock, mine coal, and operate farming machinery. During his youth he became a Christian and soon joined the Church of God.
In 1919 his father sold the ranch and the Walker family journeyed in two cars from North Dakota to Tennessee to attend the Church of God Assembly. The first day they broke down and the repair bill was $40, but they kept moving forward. They had another breakdown and the repair bill was over $200. Still, they kept moving forward. They traveled more than 2,800 miles over rough roads, many under construction, battling heavy rains that washed out bridges. They were detoured through mountains that tore up the tires. At one time, a tire cost them $87. Still, they kept moving forward. For 12 days the sun never appeared once from behind the clouds and overcast sky. They traveled more than 1,900 of those miles through continuous rain. The cost of the trip was more than $2,000… but they finally made it.
Soon after they arrived, Paul H. Walker and his brothers had great spiritual experiences that transformed them and set them on their new mission in life. Paul H. Walker then enrolled at BTS for its fourth term when Nora Chambers was still the teacher. While a student, he preached his first sermon at the local Mt. Olive Church— walking in the rain to make that preaching appointment. His next sermon was at the local Kinser Tabernacle, and he also walked to that appointment.
At the end of the term in 1919, he began preaching in Maryland and through his efforts established a church at Princess Anne, which he pastored the following year when he also was appointed as administrative bishop for the Church of God in Maryland. In 1922 he married Margaret Virginia Holloway (1904-1992).
During his ministry, he helped establish Northwest Bible College in the Dakotas and Church of God congregations in the Dakotas, Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, Saskatchewan Canada, Washington, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Wisconsin, and even overseas in England. He ministered in 64 countries total, established 64 churches, and saw 40 ministers accept their calling during his ministry.
He, along with his sons Paul Laverne Walker and Donald Walker, have served the Church of God in some of its top leadership positions. At Lee, the Paul Dana Walker Arena is named in memory of his grandson, and the Walker Lecture Hall is named in honor of his son and daughter-in-law, Paul L. and Carmelita Walker. Since 2020, his grandson, Mark L. Walker, has served as president at Lee University.
His childhood was filled with playing with his Native American friends and riding a saddle horse by age 5. He was in all respects a rancher— learning how to handle livestock, mine coal, and operate farming machinery. During his youth he became a Christian and soon joined the Church of God.
In 1919 his father sold the ranch and the Walker family journeyed in two cars from North Dakota to Tennessee to attend the Church of God Assembly. The first day they broke down and the repair bill was $40, but they kept moving forward. They had another breakdown and the repair bill was over $200. Still, they kept moving forward. They traveled more than 2,800 miles over rough roads, many under construction, battling heavy rains that washed out bridges. They were detoured through mountains that tore up the tires. At one time, a tire cost them $87. Still, they kept moving forward. For 12 days the sun never appeared once from behind the clouds and overcast sky. They traveled more than 1,900 of those miles through continuous rain. The cost of the trip was more than $2,000… but they finally made it.
Soon after they arrived, Paul H. Walker and his brothers had great spiritual experiences that transformed them and set them on their new mission in life. Paul H. Walker then enrolled at BTS for its fourth term when Nora Chambers was still the teacher. While a student, he preached his first sermon at the local Mt. Olive Church— walking in the rain to make that preaching appointment. His next sermon was at the local Kinser Tabernacle, and he also walked to that appointment.
At the end of the term in 1919, he began preaching in Maryland and through his efforts established a church at Princess Anne, which he pastored the following year when he also was appointed as administrative bishop for the Church of God in Maryland. In 1922 he married Margaret Virginia Holloway (1904-1992).
During his ministry, he helped establish Northwest Bible College in the Dakotas and Church of God congregations in the Dakotas, Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, Saskatchewan Canada, Washington, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Wisconsin, and even overseas in England. He ministered in 64 countries total, established 64 churches, and saw 40 ministers accept their calling during his ministry.
He, along with his sons Paul Laverne Walker and Donald Walker, have served the Church of God in some of its top leadership positions. At Lee, the Paul Dana Walker Arena is named in memory of his grandson, and the Walker Lecture Hall is named in honor of his son and daughter-in-law, Paul L. and Carmelita Walker. Since 2020, his grandson, Mark L. Walker, has served as president at Lee University.
