We are pleased to introduce the Rev. Evan Walker, who was formally received by Albany Presbytery in November and whose ministry has been recognized among us. Rev. Walker now serves First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa and West Charlton United Presbyterian. Take a few moments to learn more about his journey to pastoral ministry, his family, and what he is most looking forward to in this new season of shared ministry.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Johnson City, TN, and spent the first 21 years of my life there. My father was the Minister of Music at First Presbyterian in Johnson City. My mother is an organist and spent time in several denominations. I was raised mostly Presbyterian with many other denominations sprinkled in. Church was always part of my life, although to be honest, I initially had no plans of seeking ordination or serving a church.
In high school, I joined band and played the trumpet. I loved the community and friendships formed through that experience. I graduated from Science Hill High School. I then attended King College (now University) in Bristol, TN; it’s a small, Christian, liberal arts college. My intention was to become a high school history teacher. But as they say, if you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans. I graduated with a BA in history and a minor in mathematics.
It was then that I felt the first call to seminary. I compare my initial answer to God’s call to Gideon. I kept throwing out the fleece as a test, and God kept responding. I attended Princeton Theological Seminary. Even then, I spent the first two years at seminary telling everyone, “I’ll work in a non-profit or mission, but I will not be serving in a church.” I thought it sounded like a good compromise. God did not. In my final year at seminary, I interned at Edison Community Presbyterian Church and truly fell in love with pastoral ministry. Since my ordination, I have served churches in Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia, and now New York.
Personally, my wife, Jennifer, and I have literally known each other since preschool. We did not start dating until we were in college (she attended East Tennessee State University). While I was in seminary, she earned a Master’s in musicology from SUNY Stony Brook. We married in January 2011. We moved to North Carolina so Jennifer could pursue her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill). In 2021, we became foster parents, and our son was placed with us. We finalized his adoption in 2023. We have a wonderful dog, Carson, full of energy and life. We moved to Massachusetts in August of 2025 as Jennifer accepted a professorship at Williams College.
We are grateful to God for our family and all the ways God has been faithful in each of these parts of our lives.
Will you share a little about your hobbies with us?
My main hobby is doing anything and being anywhere where I can drink coffee. I enjoy reading. I used to run and bike, and I want to get back into it both for the exercise and the peace of mind it gave me as I worked out stress and cleared my mind. I also enjoy games of all kinds: board games, video games, card games, etc.
What are you most looking forward to in your ministry as pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa and West Charlton United Presbyterian?
I am most excited about building relationships with both churches. I am nervous about navigating two calls, but I trust that God will lead and I will continue to learn. I know God is still active and working in both churches and I look forward to the journey.
