Norman Howard Walker

Short biography

Born in Reedley, California to a middle class family in a farming community. He attended public schools through college and began to study at Christian institutions as God’s call to ministry fueled his appetite for more training. At the heart of his ministry is 40 plus years of pastoral experience. Laughing, crying, rejoicing, and grieving with the families and individuals God has called him to shepherd. Central to his shepherding is the desire to implement Colossians 1:28, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” The ministry of Spiritual Formation or Progressive 

Sanctification has always been a vital part of Norm’s ministry. Growing up in a Pentecostal home, the work of the Holy Spirit in this process held great fascination. The key question was “how?” Norm says, “I read biblical admonitions like “walk in the Spirit” and I responded ‘YES.’ But then I would almost reflexively say to myself, ‘Yes, but how?” For his whole ministry life but especially in the past 15 years He has been helping his churches answer the question of ‘how.” Through the ministry of The Joshua Institute (the website, printed literature, videos, and audio recordings) Norm is committed to helping believers walk closer to the Lord Jesus. 

As a result of his doctoral studies, and really as an extension of the spiritual formation theme, the subject of whole church revitalization has presented itself as a key step in the process of developing healthy Christians and churches. The blog, "Acts of Community Involvement as Spiritual Disciplines" is a glimpse into this subject.

Norm’s personal life verse is Philippians 3:10 “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

Education:

College of the Sequoias (A. A. Social Science) 

California State University, Fresno, Political Science Major

Los Angeles Baptist College, Biblical Studies Major 

Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, (B. A. Biblical Studies) With High Distinction

Luther Rice Seminary, (M. A. in Christian Studies) With Honors

Corban University, Doctor of Ministry Program (DMin), Anticipated conferment May 2024

Synopsis:

In ministry for 47 years as Sr. Pastor, Assoc. Pastor, Christian School Administrator, and Youth Pastor. President of the Joshua Institute, a Bible teaching ministry emphasizing spiritual formation. 

Former Corporate Vice President, Small business owner, Financial Services and Products, licensed life/health insurance agent, licensed property/casualty broker/agent

Former Candidate for California Assembly, Chief-of-Staff to Assemblyman Tom McClintock (Now U.S. Congressman), Elected to Public Office

Married to Denise for 52 years, 7 children, 21 grandchildren

Norm currently pastors a small Baptist church in the Northern California mountain community of Forest Ranch. He enjoys trout fishing, golf, ranching, and reading among other things. 

Bulleted Highlights: (Past & Present)

• Chairman - Northern California Association of Regular Baptist Churches
• Pastor – Forest Ranch Baptist Church
• Forest Ranch Charter School, Board of Directors
• Forest Ranch Lions Club – Vice President
• National Omicron-Psi Honor Society
• Pastor – First Baptist Church of Menifee, CA
• Board of Directors, Menifee Chamber of Commerce
• Member, Rotary Club of Menifee
• Chairman, Board of Directors Assoc. of Southern Ca. Regular Baptist Churches, Victory Ranch
• Member of California Association of Regular Baptist Churches State Council
• Headmaster, Trinity Christian School
• Principal, Oroville Christian School
• Pastor - Cochran Street Baptist (Simi Valley, CA), Cornerstone Baptist Church (Visalia, CA)
• Elected to Simi Valley Board of Education 1994, 1998 
• President, Board of Education 1996, 1997, 2001
• Seminar Presenter, California School Boards Association
• Graduate, Masters in Governance, California School Boards Association
• Candidate for California State Assembly, March 2000
• AWANA Conference Workshop Speaker
• Recipient, Local Government Council’s Samuel Adams Award for outstanding leadership in local government
• Board of Directors, Simi Valley Education Foundation
• Graduate, Leadership Simi Valley, Chamber of Commerce program
• Recognized as Kiwanis 1995 Clergyman of the Year
• Leader of successful fight to stop the opening of a nude bar in Simi Valley
• Radio and TV program guest, Radio host 
• Conference Speaker
• Member, Ventura Pro-Family Caucus
• Alan Keyes Presidential Campaign, California Manager
• Vice President, Oroville Business Referral Network
• Youth Pastor - Placerita Baptist Church (Newhall, CA)
• Member, International Association of Christian School Administrators