Reverend Walter Balk grew up in Germany as a son of Dutch immigrants before moving to the United States in his early thirties. An ordained United Church of Christ minister, he holds a graduate theological degree from the Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen. Walter has worked as a chaplain and chaplain educator in a variety of general hospital and mental health settings. He is passionate about exploring how spiritual formation and practices can provide resilience in the face of personal and structural challenges.

Together with his spouse Jill McAllister Walter has three grown children and one granddaughter. When he is not out walking with his Boxer, Johannes, Walter enjoys being outdoors, listening and playing music, and good conversations over a cup of tea (not necessarily in that order).