Dayspring Community Church
Saturday, September 04, 2010
growing more like Jesus every day!
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Our Pastor: Rev. Dr. Cynthia T. Turner
What You Should Know
Name: Rev. Cynthia T. Turner, D.Min.
AKA: Pastor Turner, Dr. Turner, Rev. Cynthia, Doc, and, perhaps my favorite from the neighborhood children, "Rev. Aunt Cynthia" Occupation: Senior Pastor
Favorite Movie: The Great Debaters (really anything Denzel), Love Story, Moonstruck, anything mushy
Favorite Author: Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker
Favorite Food: Tradtional Thanksgiving Dinner and anything from New Orleans
Favorite Prez & First Lady: Barack and Michelle Obama! Favorite Vacation Place: Hanalei Bay, Kuai, and any bookstore
Personal Motto: #1: "It's not what happens to you, it's what you do with what happens to you that matters most." #2: "Quitting is not an option."
Favorite Thing To Do: Preach! (Then, travel, read, and write in that order.)
Addiction: Blackberry and Scrabble for Blackberry (I know, I know, but I can't help myself.)
On My Ipod: Lots of sermons by my favorite preachers, some Jonathan Butler, CeCe Winans, Sade, Darius Rucker, and yes some Prince, Beyonce, Parliament, and Bootsy Collins :)
Most Admired Character Traits: Authenticity, integrity, and loyalty
Simple Pleasures: Long walks, scenic drives, Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake, and Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
Personal Website: Facebook
My Latest Photos
All About Me
I was born in Lynchburg, Virginia -- the youngest of three children -- but grew up in Hyattsville, Maryland, right outside of Washington, DC.
I completed my elementary, junior high, high school, undergraduate and graduate education within a 10 mile radius of the DC area. It was not until my doctoral studies that I attended school outside of the DC area. At an early age, I knew God had called me to preach, but did not know what to do with the call. So I just tucked it away and tried "work it out" in other ways I thought would satisfy God. I taught Bible Study, New Members Classes, worked in various ministries -- whatever I could do. None of that sufficed. I publicly announced my call in 1993 and preached my initial sermon in 1994. Today, it is my joy to tell the story that Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me as often and as best I can.
My background is in journalism. I am a writer with a background in health communications and have worked in nonprofits, not-for-profits, and federal arenas. I even have a business called Trudel & Associates, Inc., where I continue to consult and provide services in writing, editing, and project review and management, as often as I can.
I am the second pastor of the 14-year-old Dayspring Community Church. We call ourselves a "A COURAGEOUS CHURCH IN CHALLENGING TIMES" because we are poised to face the future with the courage the past has given us. We have accomplished a great deal in the past 14 years in that we have drawn deeper in God's Word and closer in our lives together. In the coming years, we are focusing on reaching pre-believers with the awesome power of God's Word, spreading God's Word through missions beyond our reach, and growing individually through a deepened understanding of the Bible.
I love exploring new places and it is my goal to cover all 50 states some day. So far, I have been to 37, including Alaska, Hawaii, and USVI territory. I also want to experience foreign lands and visit and preach on at least five of the seven continents before I'm done. I spent a nearly 2-week immersion in Zimbabwe in 1998 that was life-changing, and I joined the Pastoral Excellence Program on mission in Guyana in 2009 (see photo above). In May 2010, we traveled to Kingston, Jamaica (and other regions), to study missions through hospitality. In 2011, we go to Italy. You can help us by joing in prayer, presence and worship. If you'd like to share your gifts with us, contact me at revcturner@gmail.com.
In case you need an Official Bio, here it is...
Rev. Dr. Cynthia T. Turner is the Senior Pastor of the
Reverend Turner graduated from the United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio in December 2006 as a Curtis-Watson Fellow, where she received the Doctor of Ministry degree. She holds a Master of Divinity degree (2003) from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, and a Bachelor of Science degree (1986) in broadcast journalism and English from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Prior to entering ministry full-time, Reverend Turner enjoyed a career in publishing, health communications and public health. She served in both the Clinton and Bush Administrations as Deputy Director of Public Affairs and Speechwriter to Surgeon General David Satcher. Because of this experience, she brings to the pastorate a keen sensitivity to the church’s critical need to promote its members physical and mental health, as it continues its long-held mission of ensuring spiritual health.
After completing her Master of Divinity degree, Reverend Turner spent a year on staff with the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Bethesda, Maryland, where she promoted the art of contemplative living. She currently serves on Wesley Seminary’s Alumni Graduate Executive Council and the DC Baptist Convention’s Center for Ministerial Leadership Team.
A native of Lynchburg, Virginia, Reverend Turner enjoys traveling to new places, contemplation, writing reflectively and gardening. She resides in Silver Spring, Maryland. She can be reached at revcturner@gmail.com.
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