My Pilgrimage to Missions: Part Three
This is article three of a series on the missions heart of J. Herbert Walker, Jr.
Another strong influence at Bible school for missions was our president, the Rev. Zeno C. Tharp. He had been a member of the World Missions Board. Until a full-time executive missions secretary was appointed in 1942, Brother Tharp had served in that role at the same time he was serving as president of the Church of God Bible Training School.
Because he was the one who corresponded with our missionaries around the world, he was able to bring into his chapel messages current events from world missions. On occasion, he arranged for missionaries to speak in chapel. A number of students felt the call of God in their lives and believed that one day they would serve on the missions field.
Preparation for the Field
Lucille and I agreed that we would not get married until we had both graduated from college. I finished at Vanderbilt in June 1947. She finished at Scarritt on August 24, 1947. We married August 29 and went for a honeymoon in the Smoky Mountains.
During our last year in college, the Missions Board talked with us about the possibilities of our going to El Salvador as missionaries. Thus, we were making those plans along with our marriage plans. In July1947 the Executive Missions Secretary, the Rev. Stewart Brinsfield, informed us that there were not sufficient funds for the Missions Board to send us to the field at that time. It would be necessary for us to wait another year. I had already been evangelizing that summer, so I began scheduling more revivals. We went ahead with our plans to marry and then do evangelistic work until we could be sent to the field.
Would You Like to go to Haiti?
On a Sunday morning following our honeymoon, we met Brother Brinsfield and Brother Paul H. Walker, chairman of the Missions Board, while walking down the steps of the North Cleveland Church. They asked if we would like to go to Haiti as missionaries. I replied, “Sure, we are ready.” In a teasing way I asked, “Where is it?” I vaguely knew it was in the Caribbean but I really did not know much about it. Brother Paul Walker said, “We are serious.” I laughed and said, “We are serious, too. We are ready to go.”
On Tuesday afternoon Lucille and I met the Missions Board members, who said, “You are appointed to Haiti for three years and are to leave as soon as possible.” I immediately cancelled my revivals. The following Sunday we left for Miami. On Monday, September 15, we began our missionary service in Haiti.
The late J. Herbert Walker, Jr. is a former director of Church of God World Missions.
(Taken from The Pentecostal Minister written in 1987)
To read the first two installments of this series or for more articles like this visit the new World Missions Centennial web site: www.wmcentennial.org.
© 2009 Church of God World Missions
