Meet the Pastor

The Reverend Dr. Rob Walters was appointed to serve as pastor at Nampa First United Methodist Church by Bishop Elaine Stanovsky in August of 2021. At the time, the church had recently re-opened after the pandemic of 2020-2021. 

Dr. Walters' vision for local church ministry is that the church should exemplify the love of Christ in the world with passion and energy, and truly seek to see the image of God in everyone. As a result, the church should be open to all persons of every ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or faith background. He believes strongly in creating a church enviroment that welcomes all persons and especially those who have been harmed by church experiences on their faith journey. Those with doubt, uncertainty, and pain are always welcome and will be loved.

Dr. Walters also has a passion for taking our faith into the world beyond the doors of the local church. He and his family helped start the non-profit Tusonge Children's Ministries just outside of Kampala, Uganda. Tusgone provides housing, education, clothing, food, medical support, and love for about 40 children who will graduate and become leaders in their country. These children, many of which are orphans, were abandoned by a US organization that used them to "tour" with their musical skills and left them without resources. As a result, Dr. Walters and parishioners bonded together to create a future filled with hope for these prescious children. You can support Tusonge here.

Pastor Rob comes to us as a "second" career pastor though he has been in part-time or full-time ministry as a church staff member since he was 16 years old. Prior to ministry, Pastor Rob served as a public school band director and later as a police officer. He has also enjoyed over 30 years of refereeing soccer at the youth, high school, college, and pro levels.

Dr. Walters holds the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Kansas in 1995

• Law Enforcement certificate with the honor of class leader from the Johnson County Community College Police Academy

• Master of Music Education from the University of Kansas in 2011

• Master of Divinity with a specialization in prison ministry and restorative justice from the Saint Paul School of Theology in 2012

• Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in 2022 where his dissertation carried the title, "Creating Multicultural Awareness through Adult Education in a Predominantly White Homogeneous Church in Idaho." 

Dr. Walters has served the following churches:

• Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe, KS (music staff)

• United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in the Greater Kansas City Area (music staff and associate pastor)

• Monticello United Methodist Church in Shawnee, KS (lead pastor)

• Louisburg United Methodist Church in Louisburg, KS (lead pastor) 

• Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise, ID (associate pastor)

• First United Methodist Church in Nampa, ID (pastor)

Dr. Walters loves his family including his wife Renee who serves as a Nurse Practitioner and professor, his adult daughter Michelle who works in leadership for a global technology company, and his teen son, Jacob, who loves all things Marvel. Together, they care for their crazy 70 pound dog, "Nays," who thinks she is 10 pounds.