Hands were flying, heads were nodding and choruses of "Amen" were resonating through Wiley College Julius Scott Sr. Chapel Tuesday in a Mid-week Convocation that closely resembled Sunday morning church service.

The message, brought by Bishop Joseph W. Walker III of Nashville, Tenn., was simple enough: "I'm too close to quit."

But the delivery, packed with the energy, enthusiasm and knowledge of a pastor - who is head of one of the fastest growing churches in the country - is what touched chords in the hearts of chapel attendees.

"All I can say is, 'Thank you, Jesus,'" said Student Government Association President Vernon Jordan. "A lot of people needed that. I wish the chapel was fuller, so more people could have heard that."

Walker, a Shreveport, La. native, and pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, which grew from 175 members in 1992 to the present number of 19,000-plus, told Wileyites that despite challenges they may face, they must not give up.

"I think that, regardless of whatever obstacle ahead of us, what's beyond that is so precious, no matter what we're experiencing, we have to persevere through it," Walker said in an interview after the hour long chapel service. "...And know these are your potholes along the way and the challenges along the way make us stronger."

Walker told his audience about his own challenges, about being called as a preacher at the tender age of 20 while still in college and how he accepted his destiny.

"When God called me to preach, I asked him, 'Are you sure?' I gave God my name, my social security number...'Lord, are you sure?'" Walker recalled, eliciting laughs from the audience.

In acknowledging his responsibility, Walker said he also realized he had been given a vision.

"Just because nobody is seeing what you're seeing doesn't mean you're crazy," Walker said. "It means that God has has entrusted you with the power of vision."

He went on to say, "Vision is always bigger than your budget. God doesn't give you a vision you can afford because if you can afford it, it's not a vision, it's just a good idea."

While striving toward that vision, or striving toward any goal, obstacles will present themselves, but "if you hang in there, you qualify for your reward," Walker said.

Practicing what he preaches, Walker's church has a $17 million facility built in 201, when in 1995, the building fund was just $3,715, he said.

No stranger to addressing various audiences, Walker ministers in eight weekly television broadcasts and two daily radio ministries. These broadcasts air across the country, including on Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) on which he is featured as a regular host and guest.

Walker holds a bachelor's degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, La.; a masters of divinity from Vanderbilt University in Nashville; and a doctorate of ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. He currently serves on the executive council and is bishop of Senior Pastors for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship.

Also a community leader, Walker is governor-appointed to the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity.

Walker's father is an alumnus of Wiley and Walker said he was incredibly impressed with the campus and the students, calling the campus "beautiful" in his interview after chapel service.

Wiley students seemed to enjoy the service, which came as a pleasant surprise for some.

"I thought it was going to be boring," admitted sophomore Patricia Cooper. "But it was a blessing."

Senior Alord Joseph agreed, calling the entire service "phenomenal."

Director of Student Activities LaDonna Gaut , who set the atmosphere for Walker's message with a moving rendition of "Yes" with the Women of Excellence Choir, said chapel "was a wonderful time.

"I wish the whole city could have been here to hear Bishop Walker," she said.