About
Michael, Victoria & Phoebe
Story – Testimony – Calling – Recommendations
Michael’s Testimony
When I was seventeen years old, I was living a miserable life. I did not feel like I was loved by my family or friends. I felt like my life had no purpose. I was searching for something more, but I did not know what that was. At the time, I was playing high school football, getting into drugs and alcohol, and anything else I thought would make me happy. Then one day, one of my teammates invited me to his church. He invited me every day for a week. He knew that I did not drive, so he offered to take me. He also offered to buy me dinner if I went to church with him. I said yes because I did not want to pass up a free meal. That was the first time I attended Southside Baptist Church and the first time that I felt loved and welcomed by all. After a couple of months of attending, I was invited to a guys’ camping trip. It was on this trip that I received Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. From that moment, I started seeking the Lord, studying His word, and training to serve Him.
A year later, I was given the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Mexico. While on that trip, the Lord burdened my heart for the lost souls around me. The missionary on the trip started preaching from Isaiah 6:8. It was like the Lord was talking directly to me. He was asking who would go, and I surrendered to go if the Lord would allow.
I knew that my next step would be getting the training I needed. I went to the Crown College of the Bible for two years while also serving and preaching at my home church. The Lord then directed me to complete my training at the Our Generation Training Center, where I spent a year taking classes and then spent six months in Burkina Faso, West Africa. While in Africa, God confirmed in my heart His call for my life, and gave me the burden to return. Since completing the Our Generation Training Center and coming back from West Africa, I have been serving on staff at Southside Baptist Church.
Victoria’s Testimony
I grew up in a godly home. At the age of eight, I attended a Christian camp where I heard about the reality of Heaven and Hell. That night, I realized my need for a savior and that I was a sinner. I asked Jesus that night to save me. At the age of fifteen, I was diagnosed with WPW (a heart condition). At the time, they were unsure how severe it was and if I would make it. The Lord gave me peace during this time, reminding me of the hope I have in my salvation. Through this time, the Lord burdened my heart for those who do not have that same peace and hope. I started to see souls in a different way. I became concerned about where others would spend eternity. After visiting the OG Summit in 2020, the Lord started to open doors and made it clear that He would have me surrender to missions.
In the fall of 2020 the Lord opened doors for me to move to Georgia and attend the Our Generation Training Center. There I studied under former missionaries for two years. After my classes, I also took a six month internship to Burkina Faso, West Africa. There, I was able to work with the children and teen girls. The Lord used this time in my life to grow me and better prepare me for the mission field. For the past year, I have served alongside my husband at Southside Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. I look forward to all the Lord has in store for our family in West Africa.
References
Pastor Luke Wilkerson
Southside Baptist Church
Dear Pastor and Church,
It is a joy and privilege to recommend the Turner family as missionaries out of our church. Michael and Victoria have served on our church staff for the last year and a half in various areas, but mainly serving in our outreach van ministry, nursing home ministry, and youth ministry. They also have both served a 6 month foreign missions internship to Burkina Faso, West Africa. It has been exciting to see how the Lord has brought them together as a couple for his service and now He has called them to go back to West Africa to serve Him!
I have personally known them as a couple for the past two years, but I have been privileged to have known Michael a few years longer; witnessing his salvation and baptism as a teenager in our church. Southside has been a part of their training and early ministry. They are loved by our church and community and will be missed greatly. It has been a true blessing to see them grow in the Lord individually and now together as a couple serving the Lord.
Michael and Victoria have completed a degree from Our Generation Training Center in 2023 and Michael will pursue an advanced degree from Veritas Baptist College in the future. They both have a strong heritage of faith in their church and families and now have owned it for themselves.
Please consider having this couple in your church. They have a heart for the Lord and a heart for missions. I believe they will accomplish much for His Kingdom. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the Turners to West Africa. The church office @865-573-1881 or me personally @865-313-3073
Thank you and have a blessed week!
Pastor Luke Wilkerson Southside Baptist Church
Pastor John Herdman
Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church
Dear Pastor,
I would like to recommend Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Victoria Turner for your mission family consideration. I understand the number of requests you, as a pastor, receive; however, I believe the Turners would be a valuable addition to your church’s mission program.
Mrs. Turner grew up here at Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church. For many years, her family has been, and continues to be, heavily involved in the ministries of our church. Before moving away after her marriage, Mrs. Turner also served in many ministries with high character and a willing attitude.
After Mrs. Turner surrendered her life to God’s service, she trained for the ministry and met her husband, Michael. Together, both desiring to serve God, they are launching into full-time missions. We stand behind them and encourage your church to consider supporting them also as the Lord enables and leads.
Together in His Service,
John Herdman, Pastor Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church