LEARN MORE ABOUT DEXTER WALKER & ZION MOVEMENT - CHICAGO, IL

BIOGRAPHY OF ZION MOVEMENT CHORALE

“Zion” was God’s dwelling place in Jerusalem (Ps. 9:11). A “movement” is an active, mighty agitation of resistance, focused on a particular goal. Thus, by definition, Zion Movement is an active assembly of saved individuals in which God dwells, who through music, are focused on setting up resistance to the adversary of this world, for Christ’s sake. Inspired by God; led by the Holy Spirit; sustained through prayer, fasting, and faith; and founded by Min. Dexter D. Walker; Zion Movement Chorale (ZM) was established in May of 2003, in the basement of Walker’s grandparents’ home. Sacredly devoted to God for divine purpose, ZM’s mission includes defying “the norm” and stepping outside of the box of the “community choir.”

God’s dwelling was unquestionable in December of 2003, when at only seven months old, ZM had a membership of 40+, and drew a wall-to-wall congregation at their highly anticipated, debut concert: "The Call of Zion: A Worship & Praise Experience". With their sites set far beyond ministering only through music, ZM has initiated numerous community outreach efforts. They have provided daily necessities to area group homes and shelters via “Zion Care Packages.” ZM has also contributed to many charitable benefits such as Mark S. Hubbard’s United For One Cause “Back 2 School Citywide Outreach", and Ultimately Blessed's Diabetes Benefit. In addition to outreach ministry, ZM also actively practices in-reach activities, which develop and enhance the spirituality of each chorale member. Some of these activities include Bible Meditations, Prayer Partnership, Corporate Prayer & Fasting, Forums, Testimony, Worship & Praise, and encouraged participation in members’ churches. This helps to create a more effective ministry that will uphold its Mission Statement.

Truly on the “move” spreading the love of God and the message of holiness, ZM has been featured and invited to numerous concerts, musicals and worship services. The ministry has been blessed to share the stage with some of gospel music’s finest: Albertina Walker & The Caravans, Dr. Bobby Jones, Chicago Mass Choir, Bishop Walter Hawkins, Dewayne Woods, Ricky Dillard, New Direction, LaShun Pace, Donald Lawrence, Angie Spivey, Clark Sisters, Charles G. Hayes & The Warriors, Darius Brooks, Pastor Marvin Sapp, Evelyn Turrentine-Agee, Byron Cage, The Singletons, and Tye Tribett & GA to name a few. ZM has also traveled to Milwaukee, WI, where they were the featured guests of Jarrell Reed & Anointed Singers for Christ as well as Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA where 7 persons gave there lives to Christ through the ministry of ZM in April 2006. ZM returned to Iowa the following year through numerous request of BVU students. More souls were added and many encouraged.

In December 2005, ZM drew a crowd of over 2,300 as they celebrated their 2nd year in the ministry in their 1st Live Recording, produced by Michael Weatherspoon of SpoonFed Productions. The ministry completed this recording project in Spring 2007 and released through Found Sound Music in June 07, which includes songs written and arranged by Walker. Satan has made several attempts to stop the movement of God through ZM, but to no avail. The enemy cannot dwell where God resides, and through collective prayer and fasting, and invoking the presence of God, the Lord has strengthened ZM to overcome opposition – that His glory may be seen.

Based in Chicago, IL, the 80+ ZM is among the most admired, requested, and favored music ministries in the city. ZM was the 1st place winner in Chicago’s 2005 All-City Gospel Challenge Choir Competition and has made television appearances on Singsation Gospel Show (06, 07, 08), Channel 5 NBC Morning News (06), and Chicago Sky Basketball Halftime Show (06), and Fox 32 Morning News (07) . ZM has also been featured in Gospel Today Magazine's Top 14 Unheard Artist (06), and Nominated "Best New Perfomer"(07) , & "Best Gospel Entertainer"(08) for the Chicago Music Awards.

The ministry travels anywhere its mission calls, ministering from a diverse repertoire of gospel music: from traditional to contemporary works, arranged by Walker. Zion Movement, under the anointed leadership of Min. Dexter D. Walker, is sure to set you in an atmosphere of Worship & Praise. "This isn't the norm, are you ready?"

BIOGRAPHY OF DEXTER D. WALKER

Singing since he was 5, and directing since he was 14, Min. Dexter D. Walker has truly embraced the call and gift of music ministry that God implanted within him. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago (Roseland Community), as a child, Walker was awed by choirs and gospel music. It was through his involvement in the children’s church choir at Mt. Calvary M.B. Church that this interest was birthed. Walker’s love for gospel music grew even more intense upon the insistence of Mr. Willie Barron, who encouraged his involvement and eventual leadership in the music department of Logos Baptist Assembly (Rev. Donald L. Parson).Walker’s music branched outside of the church choir in 1994, when he became a founding member of the Voices of Great Faith (VOGF). Known as “Mr. Great Faith” during his membership within the ministry, Walker served as assistant director of VOGF, and also occupied leadership roles in many of the ministry’s outreach programs. Walker also directed the gospel choirs at both Percy Julian High School (Chicago, IL) and Thornridge High School (Dolton, IL).Walker was a faithful and dedicated member of VOGF for 10 years, and unbeknownst to him, his active involvement in VOGF was God’s preparation for a vision that would later be known as Zion Movement.

Walker was drawn to the love of God early in life. He accepted Christ and was baptized at the age of 6. In addition to his mother and grandmother (“Granna”), who have been great influences throughout his life, Walker has also been inspired by gospel greats such as the late O’landa Draper (The Associates), Ricky Dillard (New Generation Chorale), Walt Whitman (Soul Children of Chicago), Thomas Whitfield, Charles G. Hayes (Cosmopolitan “The Warriors”), Keith Pringle (Pentecostal Community Choir), and the late Rev. Milton Brunson (The Thompson Community Singers).

In 2003, Walker sensed that God was moving him into the next phase of his ministry, and out of obedience and submission to the voice of God, he became the founder and director of Zion Movement Chorale (ZM). This vision furthered in December 2005, when the Lord prompted Walker to lead ZM in their first live recording session, produced by Michael Weatherspoon of SpoonFed Productions. This new debut project "MOVE", includes songs written and arranged by Walker.Having had no formal musical training whatsoever, Walker’s leadership of a music ministry such as ZM is an inarguable testimony of God’s blessing him with the gift of music. Walker joined gospel artists such as Ray Bady, DeWayne Woods, and Tye Tribbett as a fellow-panelist at the 2005 United for One Cause Music & Health Awareness Conference, held in Chicago. He also served as the Choir Workshop Leader for Redemption Way Church of God’s 2005 Youth Conference (Chicago, IL). After being a 14-year member of Logos Baptist Assembly, the Lord allowed Walker to journey which led to Valley Kingdom Ministries Intl. (Apostle H Daniel Wilson) in Nov 2007. Walker currently serves in music ministry as choir conductor to VKMI's "Unity Choir".

A songwriter, arranger, and director, Walker is a true humble servant of God. His testimony is simple: “God turned nothing into something. He has really made the impossible possible in my life.” Min. Dexter D. Walker seeks to continue to follow the voice of God. As God leads him further into his ministry and purpose, Walker will continue to live out his dream through God’s vision.

Visit Dexter Walker & Zion Movement @
www.myspace.com/1zionmovement