Robert Alander Walker, Founder of Christian Life Missions, is considered by many to be the “Pioneer of Christian Publishing.” Mr. Walker went to be with the Lord on March 1, 2008, at the age of 95.
This web page is designed to honor his life and legacy that has impacted thousands of lives around the world for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please make certain to visit here again as there will be updates, tributes from friends and colleagues, and other media added such as pictures and video.
In lieu of flowers, you are asked to contribute a donation to the Robert Walker Scholarship Fund. Please click this link to contribute to the Scholarship Fund or send addressed to: CLM, Robert Walker Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 952248, Lake Mary, Florida 32795-2248.
In 1996, Robert Walker (along with his wife Barbara) was interviewed by Steve Strang, Founder of Charisma and President of Christian Life Missions. Watch this never-before seen video to hear Robert Walker discuss his family, faith, and career in Christian journalism. You will be inspired and challenged by his life and testimony.
Here is what close friends and colleagues are saying:
"He was one incredible man. There was an Old Testament quality to him, like I was talking to a modern Gideon or one of the patriarchs."
- Pat Boone, the popular entertainer whose 1970 book, A New Song, sold 2.5 million copies after Walker helped him shape his story.
“When evangelical communications struggled to grow out of its infancy, [Robert Walker] led the advance by publishing Christian Life Magazine… [He] raised Christian journalism to a new level of effectiveness in communicating Jesus Christ cross-culturally! He led the way in inaugurating a new era in print communication of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ when he founded Christian Life Magazine... The consequences are seen in the Christian Life interns who created new Christian journals in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the islands of the seas, as well as developing leadership in journalism programs in the United States.”
- Will Norton, Sr., Classmate at Wheaton College ’36, Former CLM Board Member
“In the 1950s and 60s, Robert Walker was the most powerful Christian journalist in evangelical circles. He was always on the cutting edge, looking for the latest thing that God was doing in the world.
I wrote for Christian Life Magazine from 1966-82 as the Sunday school editor. I will forever be grateful for Robert Walker teaching me how to be a better journalist. Every time he edited one of my stories, he sent me back the original copy of his editing showing me what was weak and what I did wrong. I learned journalism by trial and error method, thanks to my teacher Robert Walker.
During the 16 years I wrote for Christian Life I met with Robert Walker monthly to plan articles for the magazine, (I wrote three articles each month). We always began with prayer committing the articles to God. From those sessions I went away with a deep conviction that we were doing more than writing articles, we were serving God and molding the future church. It was a great honor to know and writ for Robert Walker and Christian Life magazine.”
- Elmer Towns, Co-Founder Liberty University, Dean School of Religion
“I have known Bob Walker for more than 17 years. I worked with him at Christian Life Missions. He was a man of great integrity. The love of God shown through him in his professional and personal life.
Although Bob was a serious person, he also had an awesome sense of humor. He was a great storyteller. I envision the angels gathering around him as he is telling them some of his stories.
Bob, we will miss you, but we will see you again!”
-Dottie McBroom, CLM Board Member
“I am so grateful to Bob for giving me the opportunity to be a part of
Christian Publishing. He has always been one of my mentors and an example of a Godly man.”
- Murray Fisher, Friend
“Bob Walker, more than anyone I have known during the past 50 years I have been working in publishing, has been my mentor.
Bob hired me straight out of college in 1959, and then poured his life into training me in the various aspects of publishing for the next 5 years at Christian Life magazine in Chicago.
He taught me and showed me how to deal with editorial, advertising, sales and financial aspects of magazine publishing. Then when I moved to Brazil as the first missionary sent out by Christian Life Missions (which Bob headed up) in 1964, Bob continued to support me in the publication of a Christian Life type of magazine in Brazil.
My years working with Bob served as the base for my working in publishing for all my adult life - in Brazil, in France, and now in various other countries. I owe a debt of gratitude to Bob Walker.”
- Peter Cunliffe, Publisher/Consultant, CLM Board Member
Bob hired me straight out of college in 1959, and then poured his life into training me in the various aspects of publishing for the next 5 years at Christian Life magazine in Chicago.
He taught me and showed me how to deal with editorial, advertising, sales and financial aspects of magazine publishing. Then when I moved to Brazil as the first missionary sent out by Christian Life Missions (which Bob headed up) in 1964, Bob continued to support me in the publication of a Christian Life type of magazine in Brazil.
My years working with Bob served as the base for my working in publishing for all my adult life - in Brazil, in France, and now in various other countries. I owe a debt of gratitude to Bob Walker.”
- Peter Cunliffe, Publisher/Consultant, CLM Board Member
“Among all of Bob Walker's many accomplishments, one stands out to me -- his encouragement of writers. He was a mentor, critic, instructor, and go-out-and-do-it "pusher."
I should know. I was a baby Christian when I joined the Christian Life/Christian Writers Institute staff--and very shy. In fact, I was awestruck by the seasoned staffers--especially by the imposing editor/publisher known to most as MR. WALKER.
My feelings of inadequacy heightened when I attended staff meetings. One day after an especially whiz-bang meeting, Mr. Walker asked me to step into his office. There he gave me a no-nonsense lecture on why I was at CWI/CL, how I could contribute, and what most likely would happen if I didn't.
You can guess how I "spoke up" in the following meetings (sometimes to Bob's consternation, I'm sure). But that prod helped me throughout my career as a writer and editor.
So today I thank the Lord for Bob Walker's life and ministry. I also give thanks on behalf of the thousands (CWI alone graduated more than 25,000 students) whom he pushed, prodded, encouraged and taught. All of Christendom has benefited...and will continue to benefit through his Robert Walker Scholarship fund.”
"Back in 1978 I was fresh out of college and looking for a job. I didn't particularly want to work in the Christian publishing field but God had other ideas in mind for me. Bob Walker was my first full-time boss. What an amazing gift I received from the Lord! He mentored me, pushed me, coaxed the best out of me and set me on a course for a lifetime of ministry and service in the Christian products and ministry field. I will be forever grateful for the time, attention, care and love that this great man of God showed to a young, wet-behind-the-ears college kid who didn't know half as much as he thought! Over the years I have had the privilege of working with Bob on the board of Christian Life Missions and seeing the incredible Kingdom fruit that has blossomed from all his visionary, risk-taking, pioneering years of dedication, hard work, prayer and faith. Surely, the angels in heaven are rejoicing!"
- David W. Welday III, President, A Higher Life Development Series - Next Generation Institute, CLM Board Member
Please click here to leave a tribute and view comments of people around the world who have been impacted by the life & legacy of Robert Walker.
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