by Robert Earl Houston
COLUMBUS, OHIO – One of Columbus’ senior sages has entered into eternal rest on Tuesday. The Reverend Dr. G. Thomas Turner, pastor of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church went home to be with the Lord on October 7, 2014.
Dr. Turner was the third pastor of the Friendship church in the 92 year history of the congregation. He pastored there for over 41 years, after being called in September of 1973. His grandparents had served in the church – his grandfather was Deacon John Martin and his grandmother was Sis. Susie Martin, a faithful member of the Missionary Society.
Under his leadership, the congregation experienced tremendous growth, most notable are the souls won to Christ. He led them in erecting a new church edifice in which the Friendship family entered in March of 1984. Just 9 years later, he led the congregation in liquidation of the mortgage.
In 1995, they expanded the church edifice by adding a balcony, an educational wing, enlarged the parking area, and opened the Friendship Christian Learning Center, a daycare center serving the entire community.
Dr. Turner was active in denominational work. He supported the Ohio Baptist General Association, the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention, and was a stalwart and one of the original founders of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America. Under the administration of Dr. Melvin Von Wade’s presidency, the trend-setting Early Morning Prayer Service was created and Dr. Turner was appointed to lead the entire convention in prayer and praise. His model endures to this day and has spread to various national, state and district levels.
During his leadership of that hour, it was not unusual to see people standing in the outer hallways because they could not fit inside of the service. He introduced the Convention to songs that had been forgotten in the modern era with pep and energy. His signature song became, “It Could Have Been The Other Way.”
Dr. Turner was a supporter and former board member of the National Baptist Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress and during the Parade Day it was not unusual to see him dressed in all white with a matching straw hat.
Most of all he was a worshipper. He was bapticostal before the name became popular. He was old school but he was a praiser and a dancer before the Lord. A very strong theologian and yet in the hallway he had a wry sense of humor. Many of us remember him walking away from a discussion, waving his hands and saying, “shoot . . .” He didn’t just go to a convention and hang out. He was in every session and encouraging others to do so as well. He was beloved in the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America.
He leaves to mourn his homegoing his beloved wife, Dr. Robert Turner, his son, George, Jr. and his daughter, Patrice.
STATEMENT FROM THE FRIENDSHIP MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH:
We regret to inform you that Pastor G. Thomas Turner, Sr., B Th., L.H.D., D.D., the esteemed pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for 41 years, passed away this morning.
Pastor Turner was a spiritual icon recognized globally for his dedicated work in the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Arrangements are pending. Please continue to pray for his wife Dr. Roberta Turner, their son George, Jr., their daughter, Dr. Patrice Turner, grandson, Seth and the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church family.
For further information, please contact Marcia Brown, Church Secretary at 614-279-0008, fax # 614-279-0424, email address, friendship@fmbcoh.org.
FRIENDSHIP MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
1775 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43223
Moody Dubenion,
Chairman, Deacon Board
Preston Stearns,
Chairman, Trustee Board
Dr. Turner’s own words speak volumes: Click Here (from his church website).
His homegoing services are pending. Once they are announced, they will be updated on this site.
YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.
Filed under: Homegoing of a Saint, Uncategorized
