CHICAGO, IL (May 15, 2018) – North Park Theological Seminary conferred ECC president Gary Walter with an honorary doctorate of divinity on Saturday during graduation ceremonies.
Walter is a 1979 graduate of the seminary. He served three churches, then as director of church planting, executive minister of church growth and evangelism (now Start and Strengthen Churches), and president, a position he has held since 2008.
Dave Kersten, dean of the seminary, said Walter was “the architect of the church planting movement in the ECC” that was re-imagined in 2006 under his leadership. He also pointed to the launch of Covenant Kids Congo powered by World Vision, a ministry that has helped more than 10,000 people in the city of Gemena, DR Congo.
Noting that Walter earned a journalism degree from the University of Berkeley-California, Kersten added, “He has written well for the church. He has spoken well for the church.”
Walter preached the message at graduation, telling the audience that “God’s not looking for people with superhuman power to serve him.”
After receiving the degree, Walter said, “I do believe that North Park is positioned to be the leading seminary for theological missional education.”
