Bishop Dr. Thomas. L. Walker
Bishop Thomas L. Walker, is fourth generation Church of God in Christ. He is the first of two children born to the late Elder Taylor and Missionary Darline Gates in Dallas, Texas. His father served as Assistant Pastor to the late Superintendent A. B. Powell in Dallas (Powell Chapel Church of God in Christ) and his mother served as the District Missionary of the Powell Chapel District in Dallas. During which time, they served under the late Bishop R. E. Ranger.
Bishop Walker is the founding pastor of the Straightway Pentecostal Cathedral Church of God In Christ, Dallas, Texas. The church was established January 1, 1977. The church has grown under Bishop Walker’s leadership and spiritual directions. After several locations that were outgrown, in 1995 he purchased an existing church with five acres of land and a sanctuary that seats 850 people and the facility provides a fellowship hall/multipurpose room, 17+ classrooms and several offices for administration.
Bishop Walker has been married for 56 years to the lovely Lonnetta Walker and to that union they were blessed with six beautiful daughters, Genize, Bolivia, Shoroline, Tabitha, Tammy and Tyrone. He has three sons by marriage, Pastor Dennis Burks (New Jerusalem Family COGIC), Mr. Kevin Thomas and Mr. Kenneth McCoy. He is also the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Bishop Walker’s ministry focus is teaching and preaching the unadulterated Word of God and strongly believes 2 Timothy 2:15…” study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that is not ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. He is committed to caring and ministry to all people. His personal disciplines of fasting and praying and meditation in the Word of God has distinguished him among his contemporaries.
Education and Ministry Highlights:
Graduate of James Madison High School, Dallas, Texas (1963)
Call to Ministry – Church of God in Christ (May 1976)
Associate Minister of Deliverance Tabernacle COGIC (1976) served under the late Elder Melvin Armstead.
Licensed as Minister – Church of God in Christ (1976)
Organized the Straightway Pentecostal Cathedral COGIC (1977) 1121 Reynoldston Lane, Dallas, Texas 75232
Ordained as Elder – Church of God in Christ (1979) under the late Bishop J. Neaul Haynes
Southern Bible Institute (1985) studies in Pastoral Ministry
Appointed District Superintendent of Straightway District (1985) under the late Bishop James E. Lee, Texas East Jurisdiction
Holy Land Tour (1985) Church of God In Christ – the late Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson’s Israel Tour.
Baptized in the Jordan River (1985) by the late Bishops W. L. Porter & J. H. Sherman (Church of God In Christ – late Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson’s Israel Tour
Christ for the Nations Institute, Dallas, Texas (1989) studies in Theology
Appointed Executive Secretary to the Office of Bishop Texas East Jurisdiction (1991) to the late Bishop James E. Lee
Appointed Texas East Jurisdictional Secretary (March 1992) under the late Bishop James E. Lee
Christ for the Nations Institute, Dallas, Texas (1994) studies in Theology
Appointed District Superintendent of the South Dallas District (2001) under the late Bishop J. Neual Haynes – Texas Northeast First Jurisdiction
Appointed as the 2nd Administrative Assistant Texas Northeast 4th Jurisdiction (2015) under the leadership of Bishop Nathiel D. Wells
Honorary Doctorate of Ministry Degree (2015), Fellowship Bible Institute, Oklahoma
Special Speaking Opportunities – Virginia Jurisdictional Convocation, the late Bishop S. L. Green
Revival Services – for the late Bishop Levi Willis, Virginia & Bishop F. D. Washington, New York
Auxiliary Bishop – Ordained the 12th day of November 2017, CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST 110th HOLY CONVOCATION
