Inspirational Speaker, Community Leader, Pastor, Board-Certified Coach
Rev. Dr. Robert Turner is a gifted preacher, pastor, community leader, change agent and board certified coach with 35 years of professional experience. Since 1993, Dr. Turner has provided visionary guidance as pastor of St John Baptist Church in Columbia, Maryland. Under his leadership, the Church has grown from a small church with 400 members and a $190,000 to a dynamic congregation of more than 1,900 members and a $2.2 million annual budget. He also led a successful capital campaign to build a new $10 million, 30,000 square foot worship and ministry center in 2009. Howard County Magazine voted him Clergy of the Year in 2012.
Rev. Turner is a well-known religious and community leader. As the Director of Continuing Education, he helped launch the Howard University School of Divinity Distance Learning Program for clergy and laypersons across the country. He is a certified professional relationship and executive life coach. He is also a nationally-recognized speaker, providing inspirational sermons and lectures to churches, denominational groups, nonprofit organizations and conferences. He serves and provides leadership on many local boards and commissions, including the Human Rights Commission, PATH, Columbia Downtown Housing Corporation, Community Action Council of Howard County and the African American Community Roundtable of Howard County.
Rev. Turner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Boston University, a Master of Divinity degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary with a concentration in Church Based Community Development, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary with a concentration in Church Based Community Development.
Rev. Turner began preaching at the age of 16 and began to pastor the Western Avenue Baptist Church in Cambridge, MA in 1982, where he successfully led the congregation for 12 years. During that time, he created a national pulpit for the church, inviting well-known pastors to preach for special occasions with a radio ministry and numerous outreach programs.
Rev. Turner’s passion lies in bringing out the best in people and organizations – helping clergy, churches, and individuals realize personal and professional success, resolve issues and achieve purposeful goals.
As a community leader, Rev. Turner has tirelessly worked for social justice and the strengthening of the broader community. He serves as an advisor to many elected officials and provides a valued, faith-based perspective on the board of directors for several community organizations.
As a board-certified coach, Rev. Turner is trained grief coaching, relationship coaching and executive life coaching. As a relationship coach, he empowers couples to create positive, sustainable change in their relationships. As an executive life coach, he strives to make successful people more successful, knowing that the best ROI comes from working with people who are already good at what they do.
On a personal note…
Rev. Turner approaches his family commitments with a similarly distinct dedication to service. He is married to Dr. Kimberly Moran, Ob-Gyn, and together they are raising their two children. As parents, they model a love for people, and a commitment to excellence. This is evident in Rev. Turner’s passion for his work, and in his proven track record of leading those whom he works to greater success.
Rev. Turner is also committed to his passion for running. He has successfully completed numerous marathons, including the Chicago Marathon, Disney Marathon, Disney 4 Day Dopey Challenge (15 kilometers and 39 miles over 4 days), Atlanta Marathon, New York Marathon, Dallas Marathon, and Baltimore Marathon. He has also served as a pacer for the Charles Street 10 mile race and the Maryland Half Marathon.
Rev. Dr. Ostein B. Truitt has been a member of St John since April 1980. During that time, she has served in a number of ministries, including the Food Buying Club, AIDS Ministry, Sunday School, the Trustee Board, the Deacon Board, first female Deacon chair, and was blessed to become the Assistant Pastor in 2003. Leaving her 22-year career as a college professor of microbiology, she answered God’s call to ministry. In preparation for her call, she received a M.Div. from the Howard University School of Divinity and a D.Min. from Wesley Theological Seminary. As Assistant Pastor, she serves a vibrant and loving congregation in a variety of capacities, including ministry leadership, congregational care, teaching, and preaching. Her greatest supporters are her family (husband Haywood, daughters Jocelyn, Candace, and Lauren), mentor Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Robert A.F. Turner, phenomenal staff, and church family. Forever grateful for God’s call on her life, she enthusiastically embraces continuing spiritual growth because "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor. 2:9 (KJV)
Rev. Rickey Bernard Harvey, Jr. proudly serves as the Youth Pastor of St. John Baptist Church. He is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Accounting. During his undergraduate time at RIT, he answered the call to Christian ministry and has since directed his life towards fulfilling the call of God to serve others. Rev. Harvey has ministered to various groups across the width and breadth of the United States, and is most well-known for his preaching ministry. He is passionate shepherding youth and training them to serve Christ.
Reverend Harvey holds a Master of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, where he has served as President of the Black Student Caucus and Baptist Student Alliance there, among other extracurricular roles that he fulfilled. His ministry is a refreshing combination of both traditional and contemporary worship styles, enabling him to have anointed impact on seasoned saints as well as youth and young adults. Through his ministry, youth and young adult ministries have developed strong infrastructures that continue to grow spiritually and numerically.
Within his call to Christian ministry, Rickey nurtures a passion and appreciation for music ministry. He possesses an enthusiastic appreciation for the hymns of the church and devotional songs as well as contemporary praise and worship. A recording artist, he recently released a 4-song EP entitled “The Best I Can Be”, which includes 3 original songs and a medley of hymns that is available everywhere that music is sold digitally. Considering music a universal language, he uses it as another channel through which to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Rev. Harvey is also a contributing author to the recently released book Empower Now: True Stories from 14 Young Minority Professionals. This opportunity to become a published author expanded his frame of reference for how ministry can be done through various mediums, certainly to include preaching, and also to include the publication of literature. He has since authored a personal blog entitled “Junior’s Journal”, on Manhood, Ministry, and More, which can be found at www.RickeyHarveyJr.com.
Those who know him best note that one of the best qualities about him is his sense of humor. With that, though, comes a seriousness about ministry, showing God’s love, and service to others. He affirms the words of Howard Thurman, that “There is a certain grandeur and nobility in administering to another’s need out of one’s fullness and plenty.” Serving others through his gifts and talents, Rickey Harvey, Jr. believes that the best investment anyone can make is offering others hope through help and life through love.
Leader Eric Byrd has served as Minister of Music or as a Music Worship Leader for over 20 years. On staff at St John Baptist Church since October of 2010 he oversees 7 choirs, 5 praise team configurations, many musicians, worship technology, dance and drama teams; he leads over 125 staff and volunteers. He is a proficient pianist, singer and composer in both the jazz and gospel fields. As a young 20-something he funded, rehearsed and organized a 5 day tour of Vienna, Austria with a mass gospel choir. He is the composer of St John’s new marketing tag line and theme song “Discover Something New Together”. He has a BA in Music, a Masters degree in music and a Masters in Ministry: Leadership Studies degree from Lancaster Bible College. He is a Grammy Award voter, an independent recording artist and has toured all over the world in both gospel and jazz. Along with his many musical responsibilities he is actively involved in leadership training in both faith based and non-faith based organizations. He has recently launched his first consultant company, VIP Consulting: Leadership Done Well. VIP stands for vision, implementation and process – all of which Byrd personally walks each client through.
For further information on his award winning jazz group, The Eric Byrd Trio can be found at Eric Byrd Trio.
For further information on VIP Consulting information can be found at VIP Consulting.
Vera J. Miles joined St John Baptist Church as the Operations Manager in 2007. She has over 20 years combined in the administrative/management fields. Her prior experience in for- profit organizations lends to her expertise in areas of human resources, building management, and budgeting and finance. Vera works closely with the pastors, staff and trustee board to ensure that church policies and procedures are effective and followed. She demonstrates a passion to strive for excellence in what she does and is always willing to assist others to achieve the same. Vera is a dedicated professional and can be counted on to get the job done. In her spare time a few of the activities she enjoys are reading, attending festivals, and spending time with family and friends.
Va’sama “V” Williams is an upbeat Administrative and Production professional that comes from a background of small to midsize minority owned businesses to a scale of Fortune Corporations. She has established herself in a variety of mediums as a line and co-producer, to include Print, Motion, Festivals, Galas and so much more. She has developed and enhanced herself over the course of her career to develop a powerhouse of skills abilities and knowledge that makes the calm and cover of being behind the scenes most enjoyable.
Rev. John West is a man of service and has been serving St John Baptist Church as a member since 1982. During this time he has served on a number of ministries, such as Sacred Arts, the Deacon Board, the Voices of Inspiration, and The Gospel Choir. Rev. West was employed at Howard University as a Procurement Specialist for over 24 years helping to secure vital acquisitions for countless events and University initiatives. Currently John is the Facilities Manager for St John and enjoys serving this congregation in room set up, vendor management, event coordination, and maintenance management. Out of all of John’s accomplishments he is most proud of his marriage to his wife (Valerie) and their three daughters (LaKisha, Adrian, and Christina) two son (in loves), and three adorable granddaughters, and one adorable grandson. John tries to live by the motto “I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again”.
Rev. Sadie Woolford, Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care
TRUSTEE MINISTRY
Michelle RhodesBrown, Chairperson
Martin Johnson, Vice Chairperson
Harland Abraham, Treasurer
Reginald Dunn, Assistant Treasurer
Aaron Lancaster – Financial Secretary
Rhoderick Barnes
Willie Burns
Rev. Regina Mitchell
Diane Martin
Leon Richardson
Madison Fields, Youth Member
Brandon Johnson, Youth Member
DEACON MINISTRY
Bruce Merrick, Chairperson
Clarence Hall, Vice Chairperson
Richard Shepherd, Secretary
Lyle Jones, Assistant Secretary
Shirley Alston, Emeritus
Thomas McClurkin, Emeritus
Kathleen Ridley Cheek
Ronald Colbert
Leonard Davis, Sr.
James Fitzpatrick
Adrienne Fleming
Walter Fredericks, Sr.
Marisa Gillum
Leonard Harper
William Harris
Harolyn Harrison
Henry Johnson
Raymond Johnson
Alfreda McCoy-Gwynn
Francelia McKindra
Alan Murrell
Dwayne Parker
Ernest Robb
Cassandra Robinson
William Ross, Sr.
A. Clinton Sellers
Ira Snell, III
Dorothy Tucker
Harold Williams
Deacons Ministry
(Acts 6:1-7; Tim. 3:8-13)
Deacons are ministers, not administrators. Their role is to “come beside” their pastor, to assist him in ministering to the congregation and community. The ministry of Deacon is one of witness, sympathy and service. The duty of a Deacon is to care and nurture, to be a friend and comforter, to share the joy and wonderment of God’s grace, love and blessings with all that they serve.
Our deacons are available to assist members. Regardless of your need, whether it is spiritual, sickness, financial, etc., please contact your deacon.
If you were unsuccessful in contacting your deacon, our Deacon Ministry Chairman, Bruce Merrick, would appreciate the opportunity to assist you. Please feel free to contact him at bmerrick@stjohnbaptistchurch.org.
