Dr. Thomas L. Walker has been a lifetime advocate for people.  His role as minister of the gospel has afforded him the opportunity to serve humanity at its very basic level.  Since 1970, he has served as pastor of the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church of Rocky Mount, North Carolina.   A native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, he has spent his entire life serving his community and fellow man.  Since his election to Pastor, he has erected a 1,000 seat, community-based church, situated on four acres of land near the heart of the city.

 

As a pastor, he has labored to build a ministry of excellence.  TV and radio ministries, a tutorial program, and ministerial training are just a few of the church’s outreach programs.  In addition, the church has a non-profit corporation called the EBC “ATOM” Project, Inc. (A Total Outreach Ministry), a program aimed at improving the quality of life for lower and middle-income citizens.

 

As a community leader, he is known as a mover and shaker—one who fights for the rights of the common man.  He is a political activist who works diligently to institute changes for the betterment of the people.  He was elected one of the first Black Commissioners for Edgecombe County. He served three consecutive terms as County Commissioner and several years as Field Representative for Congresswoman Eva M. Clayton.  He currently serves as chairperson of the Edgecombe-Nash Political Caucus and P.R.I.D.E. (People Really Interested In Developing Equality).  He is past president of the Greater Rocky Mount Ministers’ Council and the North Carolina Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission.  In November 2010, Dr. Walker was inducted into the Twin County Hall of Fame for his commitment to public service to improve the lives of citizens in the Edgecombe/Nash “twin-county” area. Recently, Dr. Walker received the Board of Preachers at Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. International College of Ministers Award and the TCP Magazine and WIDU Radio Hometown Hero Award for Community Service.

 

As a gospel recording artist, he has had his share of successes.  His anointed messages have caused many to cry, “What must I do to be saved?” while his “gold” recording, “One Day At A Time” continues to inspire the hearts of many across the nation.  His latest release, “Keep Me In Your Will,” is poised to be another golden classic.

 

Dr. Walker is, without a doubt, a man with a mission.  That mission is to save lives, whether spiritually or physically. Dr. Walker has been a lifetime advocate for people.  He has a heart for people and their needs.  Because God wants us to prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers, he is a forerunner in the Christian community on health initiatives.  His book, Brother to Brother—You Don’t Have To Die Of Prostate Cancer and his Project EMPOWER (Empowering Men through Prostate Organ Wellness, Education, and Recovery) seek to empower men and their families through education.  Dr. Walker is now promoting a national program called “Save the Seed,” a campaign which encourages all men over 40 to get an annual prostate cancer examination. 

 

Academically, Dr. Walker is a graduate of Shaw Divinity School of Raleigh, North Carolina, receiving the Bachelor of Theology Degree.  He did further studies at the University of Miami in Miami, Florida.  In 1990 he was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters from United Christian College.  He also received a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity at Eastern North Carolina Theological Institute.

 

He was married to the late Joyce Norwood Walker.  They had two children, the Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Walker and Attorney Teresa Walker Mason.  On June 4, 2022, he married Theresa Arrington Walker. She is the daughter of the late Rev. Melvin L. Arrington and Bonnie Arrington. That union added one son who is another recording artist Melvin Laron Clifton (Yik Dinero). Dr. Walker has eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.