Turner Shares Chapel Message Feb. 26, Encourages Students

February 26, 2020

Dr. Ricky Turner, pastor of Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas, delivered the chapel message Feb. 26. The service took place in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium on OBU’s campus in Shawnee.

Turner preached from Jude 1:24-25. He shared with students how able God is to supply all of our needs.

“God is able to keep you when you cannot keep yourself,” he said.

Turner wanted students to understand how even though we fall short, God does not, as He is above all things that we may struggle with in this world. He encouraged students to praise him for his ability to meet our needs when we cannot meet them on our own.

Turner earned an associate degree in human services from Oklahoma State University; a Bachelor of Arts in finance and Christian education from OBU; and both a Master of Arts in biblical studies and Doctor of Ministry from Palmer Theological Seminary. He has also studied at Oxford University in England.

Turner accepted his call to the ministry in 1984, and was licensed and ordained under the pastorate of the late Dr. A. G. Woodberry, pastor of Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Turner served as assistant pastor at Mount Olive while also serving in other key leadership capacities at the church.

Turner has been the pastor of Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church since 1998. He led the church in establishing the Wallace L. Downs Scholarship Ministry in honor of the former pastor, which 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 program called “Lift Them Up” which has flourished into the Oak Ridge Youth Development Corporation (Oak Ridge CDF Freedom Schools), one of the largest operating Freedom Schools in the country.

In 2004 and 2005, Turner was 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.”

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.

Turner is the husband of Tinalisa and they are the proud parents of Austin, Shilicia and Addision.