ABOUT BETTY RUTH
Betty Ruth Barker Wilkerson, a native of Reidsville, North Carolina
has served in Presbyterian Churches , through the years, as Director
of Christian Education.
A cum laude graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College, she received
her B.A degree in Bible and Christian Education. Active in campus
student life, she was elected President of the Student Christian Association She was a member of the Mathematical Honor Society, Senate, and Student Council. In her Senior Year she was elected to
“Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges.”
She has served the George W. Lee Memorial Presbyterian Church which became Parkway Presbyterian Church after a relocation during her ministry,1962-1968 followed by her work in Children’s Ministry at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C. 1968-1981 and Camp Whip-Poor-Will 1981-2018, a Christian Camp in Charlotte,
founded by Betty Ruth and her husband,Tommy.
The time spent in Winston-Salem 1962-1968 offered opportunities in
Christian Education ministry with children, youth, and adults along with
a building program for the new church which was established on Silas Creek Parkway. Youth Ministry was the highlight of those years along
with curriculum building and training of church school teachers. While
there she also served as Director of the Weekday School which was organized under her leadership, after attending the summer session
for graduate work at Presbyterian School of Christian Education.
Her service extended to the Winston-Salem Presbytery, where she served as Treasurer of the Winston-Salem Presbytery, advisor of the Youth Council, chairman of the School of the Church Cabinet, and counselor in camps and conferences. She served as historian of the Christian Educators’ Association of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.
Often called upon by other Presbyteries to teach in Leadership Schools
In the training of church school teachers, she shared in
assisting lay leaders to become dedicated church school leaders of
children, youth, and adult classes.
For a number of years, she was privileged to serve as a resource person
and guest lecturer for Christian Education classes at St. Andrews Presbyterian College. Upon arriving at her job at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, St. Andrews Presbyterian College offered their
first internship as part of its Christian Education program, sending
their first student to work alongside Betty Ruth in the children’s ministry at Myers Park. Later her interest in Christian Education
continued as an instructor in Worship and Christian Education for
the program at Queen’s College while still serving in Children’s
Ministry at Myers Park, Invited to attend a seminar at Yale on
Ministry and later an Early Childhood Convention on Children’s
Work in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, heightened her pursuit of serving
little children.
Camp Whip-Poor-Will gave opportunity to continue nurturing children,
youth, and adults . In addition, what a privilege to join hands
in Christian ministry with a wonderful husband for almost 40 years.
Drawing from all the experiences of the past to the
establishment of Camp Whip-Poor-Will was a reminder that God’s
plan is always good!
Dedicated to the joys of serving others through these ministries,
Betty Ruth has never felt she has gone to work, rather to the sharing
of life and love with the many surrounding her through the years.
With a hope and a prayer that others have received from this
service, she continues to be thankful for God’s provisions.