JOSEF WALKER has been named Community Chaplain for CRES, a Kansas City area community resource for exploring spirituality in all faiths. In announcing the appointment, the Reverend Vern Barnet, DMn, president of the organization, said, "Josef's skills in listening to others, in accessing and enhancing the spiritual resources of the community, and in networking, are simply unparalleled in the Heartland. We are grateful to add Josef to the CRES staff and encourage religious leaders and laity to call upon him as we all seek to strengthen interfaith understanding."

Walker has long been active in religious affairs and has received numerous acknowledgments, most recently sharing the 2007 Vaisakhi Community Service Award from the Midwest Sikh Community with former Kansas City Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Brooks. His leadership includes service on many committees including the Ecumenical Commission of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and the Independence Heritage Festival.

Walker said, “It is really an honor to be formally associated with CRES which has done so much to nurture the interfaith spirit in metro Kansas City. I whole-heartedly embrace the vision of Kansas City as a model for other communities. To me that means continuing to invite participation in pioneering prayer, dialogue, and educational opportunities. I want to help individuals and congregations grow in deeper appreciation for each other's faiths as they deepen their own.”

Walker joins the Rev. David E. Nelson, DMn, (Associate Minister), Maggie Finefrock (Chief Learning Officer), and Ed Chasteen, PhD (Amity Shaman) on the CRES volunteer staff.

"I am thrilled to have Josef a partner in CRES. I always have considered him one of our team with the gifts of pluralism for the community, and I celebrate formalizing this very special relationship," Nelson said.

As a lay pastoral minister in the Catholic tradition for many years, Walker directed adult and youth formation and evangelization. His parish experience informs his new work with congregations and neighborhoods building relationships of trust and solidarity and discerning and achieving goals. Walker offers classes and workshops on religious pluralism and social justice issues.

A native of Kansas City, Walker is married to Susan Walker, Director of Development at Avila University.