By RYLEE SORRELLS ’27
Updated 11:50 a.m. EDT, 21 Nov 2025
Rev. Dr. Andrew Walton is a beloved professor on campus, known for his deep biblical insight and unwavering passion for guiding students. As the Old Testament professor in the Bible and Theology Department, Walton brings Scripture to life in ways that captivate his students. “I hope to get others excited about reading God’s word,” Walton shared, “recognizing there’s so much that can come to life from the texts when you actually start studying.”
Holding a B.A. from Houghton College, an M.A. in Biblical languages from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Ph.D in the Hebrew Bible from Harvard University, Walton emphasizes the importance of reading God’s word, studying it, and understanding it to the best of one’s ability. “One thing people don’t often realize,” Walton noted, “is that we read God’s word because it is God’s word, and He wants to use it to change us and shape us.”
Over a year ago, Walton was featured in the STAR for being named the Willard J. Houghton Library’s Faculty Model Reader for 2024. Yet his influence extends beyond the classroom. Walton serves local congregations, preaching at churches in need of pastoral support. His passion for teaching God’s word is evident in both his lectures and his sermons. “I have preached at Caneadea United Methodist Church, Houghton Wesleyan Church, Fellowship Wesleyan Church in Buffalo, and Rushford Baptist, and several others. Just all over the area, whenever a church is in need of someone,” Walton explained.
Walton took a step further in his passion for ministry this year as he was ordained in the Wesleyan church on Oct. 19. Although previously ordained in Massachusetts, Walton sought ordination within the Wesleyan denomination to align with his theology and his role at a Wesleyan Institution.
While Walton was in college, he once insisted that he would never be a preacher or a pastor, feeling his personality did not fit the role. “I remember doing an internship in a church while in college. And I told myself that I would never be a preacher or pastor,” Walton recalled. But his journey towards ministry was far from predictable. “I do remember the pastor telling me to be careful about what I say,” he added.
Everything changed during his Ph.D program at Harvard, as Walton began to see the divide between his academic study of Scripture and his personal spiritual life. That tension led him to accept an opportunity to work in a church. “I started working at the church part-time during the Ph.D, and that’s when my academics and spiritual life came together. I realized that teaching and studying this stuff can have a great impact on people’s lives,” Walton stated. Though he was initially hesitant, he soon recognized how deeply studying and teaching God’s word could transform lives beyond the academic setting.
This revelation reshaped his calling. Walton began to view his scholarship and ministry as inseparable, a conviction that continues to shape his teaching. Today, Walton encourages this same perspective with ministry students at Houghton University (HU), offering them opportunities to preach in local churches while continuing their studies on campus.
Michael Carey ‘27, a Bible and Theology major, recalled Dr. Walton’s impact on his exploration in ministry. “The opportunities that Dr. Walton has given me and many other students to preach is one example of the ways that he demonstrates Houghton’s commitment to training up ministers who are equipped to carefully handle the Word of God, and prepared for practical ministry in our changing world.”
Balancing his many roles—professor, preacher, researcher, husband and father of four—Walton still finds time to connect with students outside the classroom. A former member of HU’s men’s soccer team during his undergraduate years, he continues to join intramural soccer matches on campus. His approachable personality and willingness to engage in campus life make him a familiar face beyond the lecture hall.
Ryan Kullander ‘27, a Childhood Education major, expressed his gratitude for Walton’s impact outside the classroom. “It was an absolute pleasure getting to play with a professor who I look up to as a teacher, but who was also willing to meet me in the campus-wide activities outside the classroom. Dr. Walton serves as a role model to me and others on campus as we endeavor to become better Christ-followers in the community.”
Earlier this semester, Walton surprised students by showcasing an unexpected secret talent during the SPOT event, where he participated in a lightsaber duel. Although he ultimately lost the battle, he laughed about the experience. “I admit that I lost the duel, and that I had to change my ways a little bit—to make sure that I don’t make my tests impossible. It really changed me,” Walton joked.
Since the showdown, playful rumors have circulated among students suggesting that Walton channels “the dark side” when crafting his famous challenging exams. He takes the teasing gracefully. “I don’t mind having the reputation that my tests are hard,” Walton said, “I give tests that make people work and study. And if that’s the definition of hard, then I am proud of that label. My tests are not dark. They are fair.”
Whether in the classroom or the pulpit, there is no doubt that Walton cares deeply about his students, inspiring those around him to pursue excellence—not only in academics but also in spiritual growth. Through his example, Walton continues to remind the campus community that studying God’s word is not merely an intellectual exercise but an invitation to encounter the Divine. ★
