Reverend Dr. John Richard Walton, Jr.
The Reverend Doctor John Richard Walton, Jr. is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and has served as the senior pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church of Milwaukee for the last 22 years. Pastor Walton is well-respected and sought after as preacher, pastor to pastors, lecturer, and spiritual, biblical, and academic authority in the training and discipleship of deacons and church leadership.
Pastor Walton earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Cleveland State University, Master of Divinity degree from Howard University, Washington, D.C., and his Doctor of Ministry degree from the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois in the area of Leadership through Preaching. In addition, Dr. Walton completed his Certification as a Spiritual Director and Life Coach with Soul Shepherding, Irvine, California and provides soul care primarily to senior pastors and their families. In addition, he has completed the Clergy Clinic in Family-Emotional Process Training with the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center and the Companions In Ministry Program at Marquette University. Currently, Dr. Walton is studying the Bowen Family Systems Theory withThe Bowen Center in Washington, D.C.
Pastor Walton has been an active part of every community where God has planted him throughout his 32 year ministry career. In Washington, D.C., he worked on the readings committee for the African-American Heritage Hymnal. In Boston, Rev. Walton was an active participant in the Black Ministerial Alliance. In Wisconsin, he has served as a past member and Moderator of the Commission on the Ministry for the American Baptist Churches. In addition, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Milwaukee Christian Center, Past Chairman of Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, Minister at Large of the Minister’s Council of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin, and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Oversight Committee. Currently, Dr. Walton serves on the Executive Board of the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee and is a board member on the Board of Housing Ministries of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin.
Dr. Walton has been happily married to the former Lorrie Grace Craig of Hyattsville, Maryland for over 27 years. They are the proud parents of four children.