We want to take the opportunity to get to know some of the members of our congregation and staff who serve in different ways. This month we are featuring Tony Walker, our Facilities Manager. You have most likely seen Tony serving in a variety of ways here on Sunday mornings. Tony’s journey to becoming baptized, confirmed, and serving on staff at The Falls Church Anglican has been a long and winding journey, with God’s fingerprints all over his life and those God placed around him.

Tony was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and he was raised by his grandparents. His grandparents’ faithfulness gave him a foundation of faith. They were both very active in their church. His grandmother was considered a “Mother in the Faith.” From an early age, Tony developed asthma. In the midst of his struggles to breathe, he experienced the healing touch of Christ through his grandmother. Eventually he was completely healed.

This left a legacy of gratitude to God in all things. Tony’s grandmother always reminded him that every good gift is from God, and not our own.

In 1989, Tony came to the United States and trained to become a chef. His career path was winding as God led him in different directions, but he was continuously building his skills. Tony gained experience as an executive chef. Apart from that, he also spent time learning skills related to building management and maintenance. The different experiences and skills he learned have helped bring him to the role he is in today.

Although Tony worked his way up to become the Regional Chef for Compass Group, the pressure of the hours away, travel, and intensity, made him consider stepping back into a more steady role and he became Executive Chef of a private high school in Virginia.

Serving the Church with Gratitude and Joy

Tony’s connection to The Falls Church Anglican began many years before he was hired on staff. In the days when TFCA met at Bishop O’Connell High School for services, Tony was the Executive Chef for the school. Tony was beloved there creating and serving everything from scratch. The relationships he developed with the students and staff at the school were lasting and he developed traditions there that made students feel at home.

In his role at the school, he would support various TFCA events through the food he would provide. Eventually that led him to work for a time supporting the church’s set-up at the school on Sundays. Tony was truly inspired by the faithfulness of the volunteers who worked before the sun came out to set up in that space every Sunday. The heart of those who served is a testimony to the faithfulness of the body of Christ and service to the church. When you see Tony today, you can see the joy and gratitude in his heart as he now serves TFCA. Tony was married to his wife, Sherril in 2021. She is also an active member of the congregation and serves the church in a variety of ways.

There is not an event held at TFCA that Tony is not involved with in some way. He leads an incredible team of young men who serve on Sundays in addition to many volunteers. He is full of gratitude for those he works with on a daily and weekly basis. They come together to ensure the safety of those gathered here to worship.