Leadership

Reverend James Edward Turner born November 12, 1964 is the 5th child of Curtiss & Odessa Turner Sr..   Rev. Turner accepted Christ at an early age and attributes his relationship with the Lord to his mother for she was great woman of faith & service.    When Rev. Turner was yet a Babe, the Turner family joined Manuel Memorial Missionary Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Dr. Chalmos Mitchell.   With the steadfast guidance of his parents, Rev. Turner grew up serving in many auxiliaries within the church which included but not limited to the Children/Youth/Adult Choirs, the Usher Board, Junior Deacon and Church Musician.   At an early age Rev. Turner was blessed with the gift of playing the piano and it is truly a gift from God because Rev. Turner plays the piano strictly by ear!    

 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord: Proverbs 18:22.    

Rev. Turner often says that he remembers as a young man hearing the Elder Deacons testify that they prayed for their wives and so he prayed asking God to bless him with a wife.  On May 16, 1992, at Manuel Memorial M.B Church, Rev. James Turner married his love, Sis. Stephanie Turner and began to build on a foundation established by God.   They served together at Manuel Memorial M.B. Church as teachers in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Adult Seminars.    To this union they were blessed to raise 3 children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  

 Study to shew thy self approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15. Under the spiritual leadership of Pastor Mitchell in 1993 Rev. Turner was ordained as a Deacon and later elected to serve as one of the youngest Deacons to hold the position as Chairman of the Deacon Board.    As Rev. James Turner humbled himself before the Lord with an open heart, God continued to use him as a willing servant.  Being chosen by God in 2007 Rev. Turner accepted his calling to minister and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and on July 20, 2008, he received his license in the ministry.   In 2013 Rev. Turner received a scholarship to attend Chicago Baptist Institute where he grew in wisdom and knowledge of God’s word.   On December 4, 2016, Rev. James Turner was blessed to become an ordained Minister and faithfully assisted his Pastor Dr. Mitchell in service to the Manuel Memorial M.B Church family & Community.   Rev. James E. Turner was affectionately called  

“Manuel’s own son” by Pastor Mitchell.   After 59 years of ministry, on May 29, 2019 the Lord caused Pastor Mitchell to rest from his labor and on November 23, 2019 the Manuel Memorial M.B Church family voted and elected Rev. James E. Turner as their new pastor.    And now the mantle is passed to Rev. James Turner!  Rev. Turner often speaks of the great ministry God bestowed upon Dr. Mitchell and just like the prophet Elisha (2Kings 2: 9) Rev. Turner has asked the Lord to bestow upon him “a double portion”.  

 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverb 3: 5&6. As Rev. Turner continues to surrender himself as a willing vessel, he looks forward to God directing his path and allowing him serve as the Pastor of Manuel Memorial Missionary Baptist Church “ The Concerned Church on The Corner” .