"Lin" has been an Episcopal priest since 2000. He is a cradle Episcopalian who grew up in Falls Church, VA, although both his parents were from Washington State.

He received a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from Gordon College in Wenham, MA; a Master of Theological Studies from Duke University; a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary; and he is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry degree at Emory University.

 Before being called to the priesthood, Lin was a research assistant for a Harvard-affiliated research project in the area HIV/AIDS prevention and is a trained counselor by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For the last eleven years Lin has been the Director of Spiritual Life at a large Episcopal retirement community in Asheville, NC called Deerfield. Previously, he served a wide variety of churches in Maryland, Florida and North Carolina; and was also a lecturer in Ethics at the University of Belize, Central America, for four years. He has done short-term relief work in Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

 Lin is fortunate to be married to the Rev. Christie Olsen Walton, who is also an Episcopal priest; and they share two lovely children, Sophie and Jeremiah. While away from church, Lin is an avid scuba diver, Appalachian Trail backpacker and a lifelong aspiring herpetologist. Lin and Christie are profoundly thankful for the privilege of joining St. Philip’s and the Southport community and can't wait to see what God will do next.