A pastor, prolific preacher, teacher, social justice advocate and author, Dr. J. Lawrence Turner has devoted his life to meaningful ministry which has made immeasurable impacts across the nation for 25 years. For the past 10 years, he has faithfully served as the Senior Pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Memphis, TN, the largest congregation in the Disciples of Christ denomination.
He is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and 2003 magna cum laude graduate of Fisk University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Philosophy. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School and was awarded the prestigious H.H. Tweedy Prize for exceptional promise for pastoral leadership. Dr. Turner earned the Doctor of Ministry degree in Transformative Leadership at the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, New York.
His vision and leadership extend beyond the pulpit and pew. He currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer for the Board of Directors of the National Action Network, Board Member of Church Health, President of the Yale Divinity School Alumni Board, member of the Yale Divinity School Dean’s Advisory Counsel, and member of the Mission Integration Committee of Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare. He serves as the bibliographer for the Conference of National Black Churches Annual National Consultation, is a member of the Advisory Team of the Issachar Church Growth and Development Conference, and a 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers Inductee at Morehouse College.
Bridging his passion for faith and social justice, Dr. Turner founded and serves as President of The Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis, whose mission is to unite and empower the Black Church as a catalyst for social justice. This organization played a vital role in the Reimagining Policing in Memphis Initiative. Dr. Turner also serves as chair of the African American Clergy Collective of Tennessee that seeks to engage clergy organizations and state legislators across the state.
Dr. Turner has presented to audiences at Fisk University, Yale University, LeMoyne-Owen College, Tugaloo College, National Action Network; appeared on CNN, PBS, BBC, MSNBC, Jack & Jill of America, Inc.; interviewed with The New York Times, The Tennessean, The Tri-State Defender, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, and Yale Divinity School Reflections. He is the author/facilitator of a bible study on the book of Colossians entitled, Above All Circumstances. His published work can also be found in the African American Pulpit Journal.
Dr. Turner’s greatest joy, pride, and peace is that of his family. He is married to his best friend, Bridgett N. Turner, Esq. Together they are the parents of two bright, beautiful children, Josiah Lawrence, and Savannah Grace.
