Our Pastor
The Biography of Reverend Dr. Joseph D. Turner
Reverend Dr. Joseph D. Turner was raised in Chicago, Illinois, in a large family by parents Deacon Johnny Turner, Sr. and Ms. Margaret Weeden Turner. As a member of Chicago’s Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. Turner evolved as a leader early on, under the mentorship of his Pastor, Dr. William R. Lott Sr., accepting his call to ministry at the young age of 15. He served as Mt. Sinai’s Children’s Church Minister from 1983-1986 before pursuing his education at Bishop College of Dallas Texas and Florida Memorial University (Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, 1991); Virginia Union University School of Theology (Master of Divinity, 1994); and United Theological Seminary in Dayton Ohio (Doctorate in Ministry, 2003).
Dr. Turner is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., continues to mentor aspiring Christian leaders, and pursues goals of fostering community partnerships, developing congregational health, through family, group and individual Christian counseling, and publishing of related audio and written materials. One of his most popular publications to date is The Family Matters series, which looks at family dynamics from the perspective of wives (I Need You to Love Me), husbands (I Need You to Respect Me), parents (I Need You to Obey Me), children (I Need You Not to Frustrate Me), and the widow/widower (Before You Say I Do Again).
In April 2018, Dr. Turner became the newly elected Pastor of Matthews Memorial Baptist Church in Washington, DC. Prior to coming to Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, Dr. Turner was the Senior Pastor of Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Perrine, Florida for 14 years. Pastor Turner has served 34 total years in ministry.
Dr. Turner is a loving husband and father. He has been married to Ms. Eugenia (Cheatham) Turner, of Richmond, Virginia, for 23 years and they have three beautiful children, Jaelin, Joseph II and Jordyn, who are currently pursuing their post-secondary education.