By Kristen Thomason

Faith has always been an important part of Rev. Dr. Cecelia Ann Walker’s life. “I was born on a Monday, and my mother says I was at church on that next Sunday.” Her grandfathers and uncles were all Baptist ministers, a calling that Walker didn’t think was possible for her as a woman. “I used to sit at my grandfather’s feet and listen to him read scripture to me,” she said. “He told me I was going to do great things for God, but I didn’t know what that meant.”  

Many years later, while working as a librarian for the city of Birmingham, Walker felt God calling her to vocational ministry. “I had a conversation with God. I reminded Him I’m a Baptist and I’m a woman. I didn’t think as a woman there would be a place for me in ministry.” Without fully understanding how she would one day serve God, Walker enrolled in Beeson Divinity School at Samford University to earn her Master of Divinity degree.  

Her library supervisor arranged for Walker to work nights and weekends so that she could attend seminary during the day. Her children and friends noticed a change in her as she pursued her degree. “I was certainly finding my voice; pushing against what was expected and moving toward more authenticity; I was becoming more accepting of myself and others and more courageous.” As she neared the end of her time at Beeson, Walker was unsure how she would serve God vocationally. Clarity came after the unexpected death of her husband.  

Years earlier, Walker had had a negative experience following the death of her father. “There was nobody there to support me and my mom. We had to deal with some hard things that nobody should have to deal with when they’ve lost their loved one.” After her husband’s death, however, Walker discovered what it was like to have the support of a caring chaplain. “It was a really sacred time for me and my mother. I was able to say goodbye with dignity.” It was then Walker decided she would serve God as a chaplain. “I want to be there for people — whether they want to pray, whether they are angry and want to scream—to be able to be present and not judgmental and offer a safe place for them to do what they need to do.”  

Hospital chaplains are responsible for ministering to everyone in the hospital setting: the patients and their families as well as the staff. For Walker, being the presence of Christ has meant rubbing lotion on the feet of a patient in pain until he falls asleep and holding the hand of an AIDS patient when no other chaplain would. She also advocates for patients who need family members present to ask questions and hear medical instructions. Walker finds that when doctors and nurses know they have someone they can trust with their own spiritual needs, it has a positive impact on patient care. “Sometimes the work gets hard for them, and we’re right there, able to be present for them.” 

Another person at the hospital who needs care is Walker herself. “I was coming to the hospital to learn how to take care of the patient. One of the first things I learned was about myself. About my limitations and my vulnerabilities.” She draws strength from God’s promises, especially the one 1 Thessalonians 5:24: “The one who called you is faithful, and he will do it.”   

Walker says, “I know that God is in control of this, and this is God’s ministry, so that’s how I go through the day. God has given me everything that I need and if He places it within my heart to speak or to do, that He’s going to give me the strength to do it.” She still encounters those who don’t believe that God would call a woman to ministry, but Walker sees God’s faithfulness as proof of her calling. “I just keep walking in that path that God is opening.”  

This path has led her to positions of leadership in ministry. Walker is currently the executive director of Chaplaincy and Clinical Pastoral Education at Brookwood Baptist Health System in Birmingham. There she teaches other chaplains and students to better care for the diverse populations in their communities. “The goal is for every patient, family member and staff person to experience the love of Christ when they come to our hospitals.” Walker is also the president of the local Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. And, following in her grandfather’s footsteps, Walker serves as the associate pastor at Greater Shiloh Baptist Church in Birmingham.  

During this year’s Spiritual Care Week, CBF celebrates Rev. Dr. Walker for all the great things she has done for God and for her community.