Pastor John Walker (jwalker@ottawafirstpres.org)

Pastor John W. Walker was born in Spokane, Washington, but grew up most of his life in West Lafayette, Indiana. He graduated from Purdue University in 1982 with a B.S. in General Management/Accounting and went to work as an auditor for Arthur Andersen & Co. in its Chicago office. During his first year as an auditor, John sensed a strong call to ordained ministry in the Presbyterian Church, the church of his birth, baptism and spiritual nurture.

He met and married (1985) his wife, Debbie, during his 2 year transition to seminary. He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity in 1988 and took his first church call as an associate pastor in San Jose, California, where he led ministry with young single adults and small groups. Later he moved to Spokane, Washington, where he served as Pastor of Discipleship in a large congregation leading small groups and adult ministries. He and Debbie and their 3 children, Matthew, Sarah and Hannah moved to Ottawa in early 1999 when he accepted the call to be the pastor of First Presbyterian Church.

Pastor John loves serving Christ by serving, loving and teaching people about Christ and his great love for them.