Our History
Greater Love History
Greater Love was begun by Elder Gethry Walker. He was saved under the leadership of Superintendent W.B. Houston and Reverend Elijah Lee in 1952. During his time under their leadership, he became Assistant Pastor of The North Tyler Church. Greater Love began as Swans Temple Mission. Elder Walker and Raymond, his brother, initiated a morning prayer service, where people would become converted Christians. As the Prayer Mission folded, God led Elder Walker in a different direction. He found a small house, where the church was renamed by one of the first members, Sister Zora Jenkins. While this small establishment had its struggles and troubles, the pastor desired to expand and grow the church. There were already two lots purchased at the current location, and God instructed for Elder Walker to deed them to the church and build GOD a church. Despite the few members, little money, and big struggles, Elder Walker and the members served a GREATER God, who was with them every step of the way. Therefore, the Greater Love Temple was truly started, and has been going strong since 1979. The Church continues to stand as a prime example of Faith.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Elder Shawn Walker
Elder Shawn Walker grew up what is known as a “Preacher’s Kid” or PK, instilled with a valiant, hard-work ethic. He showed tremendous love and appreciation for his parents, Elder Gethry and Sister Betty Walker, and always took great care of them. Elder Walker also exhibited a great love for caring for the senior neighbors, loved ones, friends and general population. Soon, his love for this care would become his career. Elder Walker began playing drums at Greater Love Temple Church Of God In Christ around the age of 6 or 7. Later, this gift was transitioned to the organ, and he began to allow God to use him. Persisting with the organ, Elder Walker grew his talent, and has faithfully served in his church. After high school he pursued his love of music at the Dallas Art Institute, but God had other plans for Elder Walker. When he returned to Tyler, he met a beautiful, intelligent, quiet young lady by the name of Tracy. Elder Walker and Tracy married April 24, 1997, and had two intelligent, gifted, funny, and beautiful children, Juston and Jada. During their marriage, Elder Walker continued caring for the seniors around him, and pursued his career path through Tyler Junior College. He became a Respiratory Therapist and gained employment with Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital, beginning in General Care, the emergency room, the Mobile ICU, Surgical ICU, Neuro ICU, Lewis and Peaches Heart Hospital and eventually landed in the Neonatal ICU working with the precious Angels of God. Elder Walker enjoys combining his gifts and passions of taking care of both physical and spiritual mind and body and spreading the word of Christ. He holds the opportunity to place the word of God at the beginning of life and sometimes before untimely demise. Elder Walker’s life has led to the time of hm being saved and filled with God’s precious Holy Spirit in 2005. He and Tracy have served in various capacities at the Greater Love Temple until Elder Walker was called into the ministry in 2013. He attended Bishop Charles Harrison Mason Bible College and ordained on July 7, 2015, with his father, Gethry standing with him. Since then, Elder Walker has served his church the Greater Love Temple Family Worship Center and has dedicated his life to living by example and encouraging men and women how to live up to their FULL potential in Christ. Elder Walker continues to be effective in communicating God’s Word and infuses a practical teaching style to help others apply truth of Scripture to their everyday lives.