Ricky D. Turner

Dr. Ricky D. Turner, a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was born the sixth of ten children, seven brothers, two sisters and raised by his beloved mother Mrs. Luvera Agnew. Mrs. Agnew went home to be with the Lord in May, 2008. Dr. Turner loved growing up in a large family and developed a strong foundation for family and togetherness. He and his siblings were raised by a strong, God fearing mother who was guided by faith and who instilled in them to trust and believe in God.

At the age of eight he made a personal profession of faith in Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized. Dr. Turner accepted his call to the ministry in 1984 and was licensed and ordained under the pastorate of the late Dr. A. G. Woodberry, his father in the ministry and Pastor of Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Pastor Turner served as Assistant Pastor at Mt. Olive while also serving in other key leadership capacities at the church.

Pastor Turner is a firm believer in education. He led the church in establishing the Wallace L. Downs Scholarship Ministry in honor of the former pastor. This ministry seeks to provide educational assistance to every qualified young person who is a member of Oak Ridge who wishes to excel and further their college education. Also by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he was led to establish a church operated and funded summer enrichment program entitled “Lift Them Up”. In 2013, it became the Oak Ridge Youth Development School, a community based program under the Oak Ridge Youth Development Corporation, a 501c3 organization.

Dr. Turner holds an Associate in Human Services from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater; Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Christian Education, Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK; Master of Arts in Biblical Studies and Doctor of Ministry from Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA. He has also been privileged to have studied at the prestigious Oxford University, Oxford England.

In 2004 and 2005, Pastor Turner led the awesome task of being one of the chairpersons for the first Kansas City, Kansas “Unity Day Celebration,” bringing all area churches of all denominations and races together to celebrate our “Oneness in Christ.” In addition to his pastoral duties, Pastor Turner serves on the Board of Directors of Providence Medical and St. John Hospitals and the Board of Directors of The United Way of Kansas City, Kansas. He is the past president of the Kansas City Kansas Baptist Minister’s Union and was recently appointed the Sixth Vice President of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, the educational and teaching arm of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Pastor Turner also participates and supports various other community involvements in the civic area. He has a great passion for the youth of the community and provides outreach to local Kansas City, Kansas schools.