Overview

Job, Chapter 40, verses 2-4 reads, “Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. Then Job answered the Lord, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.”

Today we remember and honor the life of a beloved husband and Father, a dedicated brother, a gentle and devoted friend and colleague, and a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Arthur Elijah Walker.  As a Servant of God, Minister Walker lived his life in service to others. He strove in all he did to emulate the Lord as recorded in John 13:7 where Jesus washed his disciple's feet. Peter was astonished at his master’s act and asked, “Why are you washing my feet?” To this, Jesus simply replied, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this”

Bro Arthur, as most call him, was born on January 7, 1963, to Elijah and Rose Eletia Walker. He grew up in the Parish of St Thomas, where as a young man he developed a great love for the outdoors, especially for gardening and fishing. He had a particular fondness for these, as they gave him a calming reprieve, from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and work whenever he needed it.

After losing his father at a young age Arthur took the responsibility to help to meet the family’s needs including being a caregiver, nurturer, and a pillar of strength for his family and friends. Arthur had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He pursued studies in various areas including Accounting before answering the call to pursue studies in ministry. Arthur did not believe in keeping this knowledge to himself. He used his knowledge to serve humbly, faithfully, and loyally in The Jamaica Bible Church in St Thomas for many years. He attended the Jamaica Theological Seminary but migrated to the United States in the middle of his studies. In the US, Arthur continued to pursue his seminary degree while raising his family. He graduated from Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary with a bachelor's and Master's degree in Pastoral Ministry. He wanted everyone, as the scripture declares, to “ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” II Tim 2:15.  Arthur ministered as a teacher in the body of Christ in particular at The Pentecostal Lifeline Church of God which he joined in 2002.  There he also served on the Executive Board of Directors.

Even though Arthur was a St Thomas kid at heart, New York carved a special place in his heart, as the fulfillment of a prophecy regarding Arthur’s future wife unfolded. God said seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Arthur obeyed and based on his repeated testimony, God honored his promise and brought to him, from New York, the love of his life- Nadine whom he affectionately refers to as Nads. He joined Nadine in 2002 and together they have two boys, Arthur (AJ) and Josiah. These were the light of Arthur’s life.

More than anyone, more than anything, more than his own life, Arthur loved his boys.  AJ and Josiah were the absolute joy of Arthur’s life, the apples of his eye. He would do anything for them. He loved his job at Northwell Health System especially the people with whom he worked for over 19 years, He loved the ministry but his family was always his top priority. He would often say of his boss Jim, “Jim says Arthur your family comes first.” He valued his job and it was important to him to meet every given deadline without sacrificing his excellent performance. He loved the ministry and dedicated his life to it, but Arthur knew that his family was God’s top priority and so he made it his also.  As his life closed so unexpectedly, we believe he gave his very life for his family.

It has been a beautiful 20+ years of marriage, and 19+ years of parenting together with Nadine. Although 20+ years are all too short and it is hard to comprehend the shock and utter sadness we all now feel, Nadine considers herself and the boys extraordinarily blessed to have had the time they had with Arthur. Arthur and Nadine were good companions and were looking forward, to growing old together and working in ministry together. but God had another plan. We have learned to trust God’s plan and we praise His name and we give thanks in obedience to his words, regardless of how we feel.

As anyone who knew Arthur would know, Arthur was a man of great personality. He was humble, gentle, and quiet but also outgoing and funny and a great listener and he knew how to make others feel comfortable around him, whether he was at home, church, work, or enjoying life outside. With this friendliness and gentle attitude of service to others, Arthur taught by example, and for that, we are all very grateful.

In our view Arthur could have offered so much more to this world, so much more he could teach his boys, so many more memories he could make with his family and his friends…with his brethren, with his coworkers and his neighbors, with his students and fellow laborers in the ministry, and with each one of you. But the Lord sees it differently. His work was complete and it was time for him to come home and be with him. The words of Jesus from the book of John keep coming to mind: “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” As God said to Job “Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him?” We each respond as Job responded “What shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.”

Maybe we have no right to question why the Lord took Arthur so soon, and in the way that it happened. Why he took a loving father from his young children, a devoted husband from his wife, a dedicated brother from his siblings, a gentle listener from his friends and coworkers, a great Sunday school teacher from his students, a true Minister of the gospel at a time when true ministers are so badly needed. But we don’t have to understand it, as much as we would like to and as much as we want answers. All of us here today-- can only trust and believe in and lean on God for divine comfort and guidance and hope for the future. We stand on the faithfulness of God and his infallible Word, filled with promises. “The Lord giveth and taketh away,” and we trust that one day we will understand why.

Thanks be to God for the life of Arthur, who planted seeds not only in his backyard but in all our hearts. Those seeds will bloom forth with his love, his story, and his memories and through us and his family into generations to come. Arthur gave us memories and love that will sustain us for the rest of our lives.

Brethren, friends, neighbors, coworkers, well-wishers, We want to thank you all for being here today, for joining Nadine, AJ, Josiah, Polly, Ruthlyn, Evelyn, Ronald, and Cecil, and others-. as they lay their husband, father, brother, nephew, and cousin to rest. These past few days have been beyond difficult and on behalf of everyone, I would like to thank you for the prayers, support, sympathy, company, and help you have provided the family. Special Thanks to Northwell Health System and all who have stood with the Family. Arthur is now in the arms of the Savior he loved, served, and represented so well. II Tim 4:7-8 states “He has fought a good fight, he has finished his course, he has kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give him at that day: and not to him only, but unto all them that love his appearing.

Rev 14:13 further declares “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them”

With Arthur’s passing, we are reminded of the brevity of life and why we should redeem time. An Orator once said, “ For death begins with life’s first breath and life begins at a touch of death”. Rest in peace our beloved Arthur, gone but never forgotten. You will continue to live in our hearts.

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