Salem United Methodist Church welcomed a member of its own church family to the staff as Walt Crocker filled the position of part-time Assistant Pastor on July 16, 2007.

Among his many duties in assisting Dr. Cooke, Walt will be filling in at worship services, as well as visiting members and friends of the church and community. In addition to working for Salem, Walt was recently assigned as Pastor for Taylorville United Methodist Church. So he will be sharing his time between the two churches.

He has been serving as chairperson of the Council on Ministries, coordinator of Salem's Men of Faith, and teacher of the Adult Sunday School Class, Followers of Christ. And, on a number of occasions, you may have heard him strumming his guitar and singing along with our Praise Team or in the choir.

Walt and his wife Elaine, along with Elaine's mother, Dorothy, who lives with them, moved to Ocean City, Maryland, in 2004 after retiring.

“We looked at area churches and decided that Salem was where we belonged,” Walt said. “The people were warm and friendly, and we felt a part of the Salem family. Salem also afforded us the opportunity to serve as well as be served.”

It was in the late 60's, early 70's, that Walt discovered God's call to enter into formal ministry—which includes among his accreditations—completed undergraduate studies at Temple University and completion of his Master of Divinity at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, along with course work in the Doctor of Ministry program at Eastern Baptist.

Walt has previously served in churches in southeastern Pennsylvania as Pastor at Penns Park United Methodist Church; Assistant Pastor, Huntington Valley United Methodist Church; and Pastor at Jesus the Word of Life Ministries.

His favorite Bible verse is Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

In his leisure time, he enjoys sailing, photography, watching football, and reading about history (especially the Civil War era).

Walt and Elaine reside in Selbyville and have two children, David and Colleen, and four grandchildren—Anthony, Amanda, Austin and Ryan.

They met in his senior year of high school just one month before graduation. And, on September 1, they will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. Congratulations Walt and Elaine!