Bishop Joseph Walker’s Love Story~ to Wed Dr. Stephaine Hale
By Gospel Fab • May 5th, 2009
Bishop Joseph Walker and fiancé Stephanie Hale
I have been getting letters and emails about this story in particular and finally have all the information that you have been asking for.
Bishop Joseph Walker has found love again in that of Dr. Stephaine Hale. The two are set to wed on May 23, 2009 and GospelFab! has the COMPLETE story of how these two met, dated and how he popped the question!
“I was married for 11 years and dated my wife for two and a half years before hat. I actually enjoyed being married! We had a great friendship ad I understood the importance of friendship within marriage. My wife got ill and passed away [three years ago]. When she passed away, moving into this domain of single life was scary to me,” Bishop Walker told GospelToday Magazine in April 2008.
Now at 41, Bishop Joseph Walker is the Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in White Creeks, TN. “In the church, everybody is hearing from God… Women who watch me on television have written me letters telling me, ‘God is saying that you’re my husband,’” says Bishop Walker. He continues, “When I met [my late wife], I was in the lobby of a hotel, and God blessed us to go to the Penthouse (I speak metaphorically). I [now] want somebody on the club level. I am not going back to the lobby. I am not looking for a parasitic relationship. I am not looking for someone to cling to me for her very existence or survival. I am looking for someone who loves the Lord and understands the demands of Ministry.”
He has found that in none other than 33 year old, Dr. Stephaine Hale. This Los Angeles, California native, Dr. Stephaine Michelle Hale, a Harvard Medical Faculty Physician, is a Neonatologist at Beth Israel Deaconess MedicalCenter and an Instructor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Pediatrics. Her research interests focus on disparities as they relate to neonatal outcomes in the U.S., as well as equitable care and quality improvement within the neonatal intensive care unit, with emphasis on those centers serving vulnerable populations. Dr. Hale’s goal is to be an advocate for the healthcare of all children and to develop successful programs and policies that will improve the health and survival of infants in underserved communities across the nation.
How did they Meet?
They were introduced via telephone by Dr. Hale’s pastor, Rev. Dr. John Borders of Morningstar Baptist Church in Boston, MA. “He informed me that he had someone he wanted me to meet. He went on to say that he had discerned this to be my wife. I had a great deal of skepticism because I had heard this so many times before. After we talked, I knew what God had told him was true. The following month, I was scheduled to preach at his church, so this provided an opportunity for us to meet face to face.” says Bishop Walker. “I loved her before I had even met her in person. This was truly what Adam experienced in Genesis. She was presented to me and I was blessed to see her inner beauty “bone of my bone”, before I saw her outward beauty…”flesh of my flesh”.
How did Bishop Pop the Question? Dr. Hale tells it best!
The Walkers Engagement Photos
“My Birthday is September 17th…The day before, Joseph had 33 beautiful long stem roses delivered to my home with a card that said “33 roses for the 33 years God has blessed this world with you” – simply beautiful!”
“The next day, my birthday, he was speaking at a church in Atlanta so I flew down after work to have dinner with him, the pastor of the church, and his wife. After dinner, we took a drive and Joseph had cake and other deserts waiting for us. Then out of nowhere he starts pulling out HUGE boxes for me to unwrap.The best birthday I’ve ever had, right? Wrong, because unbeknownst to me, it wasn’t over yet.”
The next day, Thursday, we flew down to Shreveport to visit his mom who was in the hospital. Friday we flew back to Atlantabecause we had planned to drive back to Nashville…We continued onto Nashville, arriving in the city at around 10:30 at night. We walked in the house and out of nowhere, “SURPRISE!!!!” – a surprise birthday party. I couldn’t take anymore! More tears!!! I looked around and there were new friends and old friends alike. He even managed to have family and friends from all over the country, some as far as the Virgin Islands, fly in for the festivities. I had no idea!”
“As I walked around and greeted people (still in tears mind you) I realized the music I was hearing was great and would you believe, I looked up and there was a singer and a live band playing from the balcony. I walked into the kitchen – a chef cooking food for everyone! Still spinning, someone came up behind me and whispered in my ear that they didn’t want me to pass out, but to turn around because behind me on the bookshelves surrounding the fireplace were “33 gifts for 33 years”. I know. Unbelievable! I can’t say it enough.”
“The next morning was Saturday, and to my surprise more of my friends flew in! Joseph had really outdone himself! He, my sister and friends, and I went to breakfast at one of our favorite restaurants. We then took them on a tour of the city and hung out for the remainder of the day. For those who stayed we went out to dinner that night at one of Nashville’s best steakhouses. When we arrived we had a private room where there were roses and candles everywhere. It was beautiful. We had a wonderful dinner…”
“Then suddenly he turned to me and said, “I also spoke to your father today.” I stopped short and sort of looked at him sideways and asked him “Why did you speak to my father today?” His reply: “To ask for your hand in marriage.” All I remember after that was hearing my sister and girlfriends start screaming on the other side of the table. At this point I could not see anything else in the room, my eyes were fixed solidly on Joseph and the rest was slow motion – I saw him stand up, walk around his seat, reach into his bag and pull out a blue box! He then got down on one knee and asked me if I would marry him. Of course, crying by this point, I shouted “ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY,” concludes Dr. Hale.
Bishop Joseph Walker will wed Dr. Stephaine Hale on May 23, 2009 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in White Creeks, Tennessee. Congrats Bishop on finding love again!!! From GospelFab! Girl.
The Walkers Engagement Photos
For more pictures from the couples events, look below.
-
- Bishop Joseph Walker and fiancé Stephanie Hale
-
- The Walkers Engagement Photos
-
- The Walkers Engagement Photos
-
- The Walkers Engagement Photos
-
- The Walkers Engagement Photo
-
- Dr. Stephaine crying
-
- Dr. Stephaine at Bridal Shower
-
- Shower Favors
[ May 6th, 2009 at 8:54 am ]
This is the sweetest story I have ever heard. I want to wish the happy couple best wishes and many blessings. “CONGRATULATIONS”
[ May 7th, 2009 at 5:15 pm ]
Congrats to you Bishop Joseph Walker and to DR. Stephanie Hale, this is so beautiful and it is definitely a testimony to the Church world at large that they can still find love again or in deed at all. Therefore, they do not have to go way out of bounds to create a ficticious love affair wherein they are eventually ruined by unequal yoke and demonic influence. Thank God for Bishop Joseph Walker, Dr. Stephanie Hale and all of the great Pastors who made this thing happen..
oh, and definitely a shout out for Dr. Hale’s sisters for being celebrators and not haters. God cause you both to laugh together till your sides hurt; dance together till your feet hurts; walk together till your legs hurt; and stay together till your love story takes an effect on every likeness of your challenges which Almighty God has cause you to both overcome.
Effective by His Spirit,
Authenticated Triple “A” Preacher
Apostle Donald Thompson
[ May 18th, 2009 at 6:26 pm ]
Congrats Bish and Steph. Make it happen. God bless your marriage. Call me if you guys ever need any marital advice!
LOL!
[ May 19th, 2009 at 8:26 am ]
Best wishes to Bishop Joseph Walker and Dr. Stephanie Hale. May God bless your union
[ May 19th, 2009 at 8:55 am ]
WOW!!!!!!!!! This is a blessed relationship, and God is all in it! I pray that you to will be joined to gether until death worhipping God together in every way possible. You are blessed and your children will be blessed as well. Always remain in Gods bowels and he will keep you prosperous in him. This is where all his peace, joy, love, and power to defeat the enemy lies.
I am soooooooooo excited about your relationship! God is so marvelous and his favor is fair in my eyes!
Love,
Your sister in Christ
[ May 20th, 2009 at 11:13 am ]
After 3 weeks of being engaged, my fiance’ and I have been listening to the Series “Love Stuff”. Listening to the messages were pure confirmation that God placed us in each other’s life. I praise God for your life together. I pray the blessing of the Lord will continue to be a out-pouring experience like never before over your lives. Bishop, thank you for blessing me by your messages on relationships. God Bless you both.
[ May 26th, 2009 at 9:54 pm ]
Proud of you Bishop. I pray for more blessings in your journey with Dr Stephanie
[ June 1st, 2009 at 6:21 pm ]
Wow! What a surprise!
I am so happy for you Bishop. Maybe I can get my interview now
Can’t wait to read your book. 2009 is your year!
Congratulations to you both and many “Lil Walkers”. Blessings!
[ June 2nd, 2009 at 6:48 pm ]
Congratulations Bishop! You deserve all of it. This is your season.
[ July 21st, 2009 at 12:22 pm ]
CONGRATULATIONS BISHOP, I THANK GOD FOR YOUR OBEDIENCE IN CHRIST JESUS, I THANK YOU FOR BEING A HUMBLE SERVANT OF GOD THAT STANDS FOR REALNOUS IN TODAY’S SOCIETY. I WISH YOU AND FIRST LADY THE BEST THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU GUYS IN THIS LIFE. I PRAY THAT ONE DAY I MIGHT BE BLESSED TO EITHER SET UNDER YOUR MINISTRY OR GOD WILL ONE DAY BLESS ME TO HAVE A PASTOR LIKE YOU PATTERNED FROM GOD’S OWN HEART. GOD BLESS YOU AND FIRST LADY!
[ July 29th, 2009 at 8:12 am ]
I’ll have to find Rev. Borders so that he can tell me who my spouse is also.
[ August 7th, 2009 at 6:02 am ]
Dear Bishop and Dr. Walker,
A big congratulations to the both of you. You know I can remember sitting on my couch after having surgery New Years Eve 2004. I couldn’t go to my own church because doctors orders were to stay off my feet. I really didn’t not want to comply with those orders but my aunt made me so I had to go to watch night service via digital cable and where did I go to Mt. Zion Baptist Church in White Creeks, TN on the Word Network. During that live broadcast it was said that your wife was at home sick. I knew that she had struggled with cancer in the past so I immediately went into prayer. It wasn’t until about April or May of 2005 that I learned that Dr. Diana G. Walker had went on to be with God. I just remember being so sad and I kinda got angry that you had to loose someone so special to you, but I kept you in prayer. Last month I went to you website and saw that God had done something that I’m sure was more than you could have ever asked or thought in blessing you with Dr. Stephanie. The stories of how you meet and got in engaged and the wonderful birthday party are completely fabulous. Dr. Stephanie you are such a beautiful woman of great depth and I am so grateful God choose you for Bishop, you truly are the apple of his eyes. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[ November 16th, 2009 at 10:45 am ]
This story brought tears to my eyes, it is the most touching story I have read in my 47 years. Whenever am felling down I would read this story and it really lifts my spirit
I wish them both God’s richest BLESSINGS.
[ March 13th, 2010 at 6:24 pm ]
No one but God, can take one person from the north and one person from the south and bring them to the point of union as only He has ordained. Look at God, if He made you a promise that He will do. Bless God for your being sensitive to the Spirit to move when He said move and to obey when He said obey. She is a beautiful now “bone of your bone” Let the love that God releases into your marriage (life) be exuded so that the experience of love can be embraced by all. To God be the Glory-for the testimony of waiting on the Lord-to manifest “the promise of a prepared bride for a patient husband. When God brings the two together after graduating from His school of “Ester” it doesn’t take a ;long engagement. May you walk together in wisdom, peace love joy, patience, long suffering and humility. And the grace of God will continue to increase in your lives.
[ May 13th, 2010 at 5:03 pm ]
OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD! CONGRATULATIONS AND MAY THE LORD CONTINUE TO BLESS, KEEP, AND MAKE HIS FACE TO SHINE UPON YOU TWO AS ONE, IN JESUS NAME. I CRIED WHILE READING THIS ON TODAY—I DON’T USE THE INTERNET A LOT AND RAN ACROSS THIS AS I WAS LOOKING UP INFO ON THE CHURCH SO I COULD VISIT DURING MY TRIP TO NASHVILLE FOR A GRADUATION THIS MONTH (THE WORD IS REALLY PREACHED THERE). GOD ORDAINED THAT I SEE THIS LIVING 21ST CENTURY TESTIMONY OF WHAT GOD WILL DO FOR HIS FAITHFUL & PATIENT ONES. I AM A SERVANT OF THE LORD WHO LOVES HIM AND HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR “THE ONE” FOR 26 YEARS NOW (IN TOTAL ABSTINENCE BY GOD’S GRACE ONLY). IN 2001, I BELIEVE IN MY HEART AND SPIRIT THAT HE INDEED SENT MY DREAM MAN TO ME WHILE I WAS A VOLUNTEER AT A CHRISTIAN TV STATION——BUT THE devil……….TODAY, BISHOP WALKER & MRS. DR. WALKER– I REJOICE WITH YOU AND I KNOW THAT ” ‘THERE IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO—WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR OTHERS HE’LL DO FOR ME TOO… LOVE IN CHRIST & THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS Pray for me (” The fervant, effectual prayers of the righteous availeth much” )
[ May 24th, 2010 at 7:46 pm ]
HEEEEEEEYYYY I AM SO EXCITED TO READ ABOUT THIS, THIS IS SO AMAZING TO BE AWARE OF SUCH A GREAT LOVE STORY….CONGRATS WHEEEWWW *TEAR TEAR*
[ June 12th, 2010 at 3:01 pm ]
Bishop and Dr. Walker, I want to congratulate both of you on your new journey together. Reading your story was inspiring, uplifting, encouraging and just an out right blessing. I am even more encouraged to wait on the Lord for what he has for me. My prayer is that the awesome God we serve continue to pour bountifully upon your union.
[ June 24th, 2010 at 5:26 pm ]
Thanks for the information. You have done a terrific job communicating your message. Keep up the good writing.