Q&A Interview - Apostle Dr. Winona B. Turner 27 years of Spirit of Truth Kingdom Worship Center, International

G&G: Apostle Turner, welcome to Grace& Glory Magazine. It is an honor to talk with you and to be a part of your 27th Anniversary Celebration of Spirit of Truth Kingdom Worship Center, International. How do you feel right now, are you at all surprised at where you are today? Has the reality of it sunk in?

Apostle Turner: I am in ‘awe’ of where I am right now because I was not raised in the church, although we went to church occasionally. The reality of this journey to me is that God is a keeper because I want to be kept! That is why I am here.

G&G: Apostle Turner, let's go back to the beginning. Would you share with us how this 27-year journey began and the vision behind starting the ministry of Spirit of Truth Kingdom Worship Center, International?

Apostle Turner: The Holy Spirit spoke into my spirit when I was living in Columbia, MD that He was calling me to be a Pastor. I told my husband first. He has always supported me in my walk with God. That Word was later confirmed at a conference at New Creation Christian Church, where Chief Apostle Aaron B. Claxton was Apostle. He had invited an Evangelist named Mother Warren who called me out in the midst of the service as I was sitting in the back of the church. She publicly announced that God had called me to the Pastorate. The Vision is the name of the church. Our church is in existence for souls who are being drawn to God, searching for God, and wanting to know the truth about God.

G&G: Apostle Turner, how would you describe these last 27 years of ministry? Were there any unexpected hurdles you had to overcome in building this ministry? What were some of your most notable accomplishments?

Apostle Turner: I describe these last 27 years as ‘Ride ‘em Cowboy!’ It’s been a bumpy ride of ups and downs, but I am still holding on. There were many hurdles but the two outstanding hurdles that came to take me out were cancer and a heart attack. God healed me completely from both health issues. He gave me ‘New Blood’ from the heart attack. I say it is the blood of Jesus and a ‘New Heart’. Fresh Start Christian Academy was one of my most notable accomplishments. It was a Christian School educating Kindergarten – 9th grade that gave students a Godly foundation to go forward in life. Spirit of Truth School of Ministry and Bible College is another accomplishment that God allowed me to gather 5-fold Ministry Gifts in the Kingdom of God to teach and be examples of what they taught to the students. Lastly, I have written manuals and am currently writing others, focusing on different areas in ministry to empower God’s people with instructions and knowledge needed to operate properly in the Kingdom of God.

G&G: Apostle Turner, looking back at where you were when you started this journey, was there a point when you realized that God had called you to an assignment of this magnitude?

Apostle Turner: As I began to Pastor, God began to birth out the vision for the Ministry. First, was Fresh Start Christian Academy, a daycare and food outreach and it continued to grow to meet the needs of the church as well as the community.

G&G: Apostle Turner, as you reflect on these 27 years, did you ever think what have I signed myself up for? Have you ever wanted to quit and throw in the towel? Apostle Turner: I have to say no. I really did not sign myself up to the life I am living. I was captured by God,

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Continued from page 9 and it was evident that He wanted me and there was no turning back. I would be lost, and I could not say there was anyone else I could put my trust in. I held onto Him knowing that ‘He that started a good work in me shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ I am persuaded that God will lead and guide me in truth and that is why I’m still here. I have learned to do nothing until I know it is God. God has always raised up strategic ones to help along the journey to give clarity and direction and keep me on the path to Him.

G&G: Apostle Turner, part of your 27-year legacy is leading Spirit of Truth Kingdom Worship Center, International with great passion. It has been said that great passion does not come without great pain. Is this a true statement for your journey?

Apostle Turner: Yes, it is true that great passion does not come without great pain. I can say I had a great passion- a zeal for God and not the true knowledge I needed in making decisions on this journey that made it painful. I suffered through it by not letting go of God and God revealed truth, that I have continued to this day.

G&G: Apostle Turner, what encourages you most as the Pastor of Spirit of Truth Kingdom Worship Center, International? What has brought you the greatest joy in your 27 years as Pastor of this ministry?

Apostle Turner: It amazes me that God always shows up when I do not know what to do. His presence is so encouraging. I have some wonderful leaders and members in our church. I know them and they know me. The greatest joy I have as the Pastor of this Ministry is that I have leaders and members who have a spirit to keep going forward. an introvert; I truly am not an outgoing person. Although, I do love to laugh and enjoy being around people who are down to earth.

G&G: Apostle Turner, after 27 years, I believe it's safe to say that you lead a successful ministry. What would you say are the ingredients for longevity and success today?

Apostle Turner: I have a genuine relationship with God. I keep focused on the fact that God chose me, and I believe He called me for such a time as this. I believe obeying God is my highest responsibility. God led me to be covered by leaders to be taught and accountable to until His time and release. When it was time, I sat down with each leader to let them know what I believed God was saying. I have always had Godly coverings that pray for me and speak into my life keeping me accountable to God’s Word.

G&G: Apostle Turner, as you continue to lead the ministry of Spirit of Truth Kingdom Worship Center, International, where would you like-to see this ministry in the future?

Apostle Turner: I would like to see those who have been called to this Ministry to actively operate in the areas of the vision of Spirit of Truth Kingdom Worship Center, International. Not only to mature people and fellowship inside the church, but outside the church by going into the different areas of their giftings to make a difference wherever they are.

G&G: Apostle Turner, would you share with us what you have planned to celebrate the 27th Anniversary of Spirit of Truth Kingdom Worship Center, International?

Apostle Turner: For the 27th Anniversary of Spirit of Truth Kingdom Worship Center, International we are having a phenomenal Prayer Breakfast with the theme of ‘Fresh Fire’ on that 2nd Saturday in November for men and women to be blessed by the awesome gift of Apostle Dr. Dwight Smith. We will also have other speakers coming from Nairobi, Kenya, New York, and other regions to celebrate the 27th Anniversary throughout the month of November.

G&G: What do you like to do to relax and rewind?

Apostle Turner: Most of all, I just enjoy my quiet time and reading a good book. I enjoy going to Home Goods stores to decorate for the different seasons during the year.

G&G: Is there anyone who has had a tremendous impact on your life and ministry journey?

G&G: Apostle Turner, shifting a little with a few personal questions, most pastors have shared that “preaching the gospel" was not what they had planned for their lives. Was it the same for you?

Apostle Turner: Yes, it was the same for me. I had no idea God wanted me to do what I am doing. I thought I was going to be a teacher or a social worker. I would never have imagined myself preaching.

G&G: How would you describe yourself in three words?

Apostle Turner: I would describe myself as: Peculiar; No-Nonsense and Dedicated to my assignment. I always say my name is Win-on-a; that is to Win-On-A (Again and again!)

G&G: What is one thing most people would be surprised to know about you?

Apostle Turner: People would be surprised to know I am basically

Apostle Turner: The person who had a tremendous impact on my life and Ministry was Chief Apostle Aaron B. Claxton. His ministry was a training center to develop the Body of Christ and he recognized the call on my life. Chief Apostle Claxton ordained me in several areas of ministry as well as the Apostolic consecration charge on my life. He and Apostle Dr. Deborah Claxton stood beside me with Prayer, Power, and Authority during my trial with cancer.

G&G: Apostle Turner, in closing what do you believe the Body of Christ should be saying and doing at this critical time in our communities?

Apostle Turner: The Body of Christ should be saying it's time to turn and seek God. The Body of Christ must serve and meet the needs of our communities to transform lives. God has given believers everything that pertains to life and Godliness, therefore wherever we are, God has us there to make a difference.

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