2023 THEME: A New Beginning - Isaiah 43:19

Dr. Kelvin E. Turner, Senior Pastor Dr. Kelvin E. Turner has dedicated his life to teaching and preaching the Word of God.  Having been called to pastor the historic Zion Baptist Church of Portsmouth, Virginia on December 6, 2008, he is the l0th Pastor in the church’s 158-year history.

Due to a horrific fire, Dr. Turner arrived with no physical church home.  He faithfully and immediately began efforts to locate a worship center for Zion and successfully led efforts to revitalize the congregational spirit.  In less than 2 years, Dr. Turner and the Zion Baptist Church congregation purchased a multi-million-dollar historic worship, discipleship and ministry center in the historic Parkview community of Portsmouth, Virginia.  Three years later, in August 2014, Dr. Turner then led the church efforts in completing an additional $2.3 million-dollar renovation effort of the facility, that now provides state of the art meeting rooms and technology, expanding the church’s vision to reach souls in a more global way.  A native of Detroit Michigan, he is a graduate of Wayne State University, where he earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology.  He continued his education at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, earning a Masters of Divinity in Christian Education, and a Doctorate of Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.

Having served in pastoral ministry (Associate Minister, Youth Pastor, Pastor, Executive Pastor, and Senior Pastor) in Michigan, Kentucky, Washington District of Columbia, Ohio, Tennessee; and now Virginia; Dr. Turner has always served the communities where he lived and worked.  His past service on and with local and national boards includes: the Northern Ohio Baptist Congress of Christian Education (President); Youngstown Extension of the American Baptist College (Director); Youngstown Area Community Action Council (President); Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (President); the Governor's appointee for the Commission on African American Males (Ohio); the National City Bank Community Board (Ohio); Parkview Counseling Center (Board member - Ohio); Eagle Heights Academy (Board member - Ohio); and Habitat for Humanity (Board member – Tennessee).

Since coming to Virginia, he has continued his commitment to community service with the following organization: Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless (past President); American Baptist Churches of the South (President Area II Ministers); Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Virginia (Past President); Ida Barbour Early Learning Center (former board member), Martin Luther King Jr. Steering Committee (Past Vice-President), Legacy Learning Academy (Board chair) and the Civil Service Commission for the City of Portsmouth (Board Chair).

Dr. Turner has traveled extensively both in the US and abroad, in support of national and international humanitarian efforts while sharing the gospel of our Lord and Savior.  He is a proven leader, equipped to make an impact upon whomever he meets with the power of God, through his many talents and gifts.  Above all, his role as Husband and Father is his most valued treasure. He has been married to Leading Lady, Karen Minor-Turner for 39 years, and they are the proud parents of three adult children, Kelvin Eric Turner II, Kandace Joyce Turner-Ford (Glenn), and Dr. Karisma Elyce Turner- Winfrey, (Delano); and three grandchildren, Glenn Lamar Ford, Turner Iman Winfrey and Devyn Jael Winfrey.