THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 17, 1995 TAG: 9502150161
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY XIAOHONG ZHANG SWAIN, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
MINISTER JOHN TURNER of South Norfolk is never far from his Bible or his trumpet.
``It's an extension of my ministry,'' said Turner, 52. ``Sometimes I take it with me to church without playing it,'' Turner said. ``You don't play it until the spirit of the song allows you to play.''
A full-time civilian employee for the Norfolk Naval Station, Turner assists the ministry of Mount Zion IND Community Church on East Indian River Road. He also serves as chaplain for the Chesapeake police force and for Greenbrier Correction Center.
``It's so beautiful,'' Turner said, after accompanying a guitarist with his trumpet. ``The trumpet blends so nice with the guitar.''
Born and raised in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., Turner was the lead trumpet player at his high school. But after he went to work for the Navy in 1968, he didn't play the instrument for 25 years. Then, one day, he picked it up on a whim.
``I've never put it down again,'' Turner said.
Turner began preaching in May 1990 and became an associate pastor in August 1991.
``My dream is to be the man that God calls to treat my fellow men right,'' he said.
Turner believes that a lack of love contributes to many of the problems the world faces today.
``Love is the most powerful tool in the world,'' he said. ``So many people don't have love.''
Turner said he believes that the ministry shouldn't be isolated but should reach out to help those in need. His visits jails and nursing homes to offer hope to people in times of trouble.
Once Turner even assisted police in preventing a suicide. He said his on-the-scene counseling helped a woman overcome her self-destructive feelings.
``She was so distraught,'' Turner said of the individual involved. ``She didn't want to talk to anyone.''
Turner, who is divorced, finds ministering as a single man isn't easy.
``It's very, very hard,'' he said. ``A lot of women have a run on you, you have to be strong.''
Turner, who has five grown children, said he went through two marriages, the first lasting for 12 years, the second for 10 years.
He has confidence that one day he will find a marriage that will work.
``The trials are to strengthen you,'' he said.
When Turner entered the ministry, he had only a high school education. To enrich his knowledge, Turner studied religion on his own.
``Now, after going through the religious studies, my life hasn't been the same. I found out what the will of God was all about. I'm still studying,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
John Turner assists the ministry of Mount Zion IND Community
Church.
by CNB