Hugh's News & Commentary

A Tribute to Jerry B. Walker by Wesley Peyton

I first met Jerry in Ocala, FL. He was preaching the Florida Camp Meeting. Byon Jones was Conference Superintendent. Jerry was driving a beautiful burgundy Thunderbird. I was eighteen years old and traveling as pianist with the Emmanuel College Quartet. John Noseworthy was our chaperon. During the camp meeting, I learned my father had been in a serious automobile accident in Virginia. The driver of the other car was killed. I could not go home and Jerry took time to pray with me and comfort me. That was the beginning of our friendship.

In later years, he preached a six weeks crusade for me when I was pastor of Reality Gospel Church in Alexandria, VA. I received over one hundred members into the church the last Sunday. People came at 5 p. m. to find a seat. One night he turned the service back to me to close. I prayed and dismissed the people. Much to my amazement, when I looked up, no one had moved. They stood for more than an hour in the presence of God. When we were ready to go home, I could not find my youngest son who was a teenager at the time. He was slain in the power of God under a church pew. We paid Jerry $26,000 (twenty six thousand dollars) for the six week revival. This amount had been received in the offerings. He said “Wesley, you will never miss this” he was correct.

He called me in 2002 to pray with me before my open heart surgery. He shared words of encouragement.

We have lost a great man of God and an outstanding evangelist.

Wesley Peyton