by Ken Turner | Ministry Update, Outreach, Parents, Teens
Last week I had the opportunity to take a trip to French Camp, Mississippi to speak to the students at French Camp Academy. This was my second trip in about six months to be with these amazing people. I first learned of French Camp Academy by plopping down at a breakfast table while attending a ministry conference last winter and meeting Todd Marion. We were all focused on our stomachs and talking around the table about who we are, where we are from and what we do. Todd asked me what I do in Tennessee and I told him I work with high-risk and fatherless youth. We talked briefly about teens and Todd said, “You would love our place and you should come visit.” I asked him what kind of place he was talking about and he went on to tell me about French Camp Academy, a Christian boarding school tucked away in this little town of French Camp, Mississippi. The boarding school ministry has been there since 1885! Following that conversation was an invitation to come speak in chapel at the school last spring and another invitation to come back last week to speak in the Wednesday evening service and Thursday morning chapel. I was able to bring a good friend with me on this trip to share the ministry with him. Hoss Johnson lives up to his name because he’s a “Hoss” of a guy who played football at Alabama from ’82-’86 and had a short NFL career. Just five weeks ago Hoss left his job to go in to full-time sports ministry. Hoss shared his heart with these students and how God has worked in his life through the unfortunate death of his wife ten years ago and how God has been so faithful as he raised his son and daughter as a single dad.
My time at French Camp was amazing and refreshing. If you can imagine immersing yourself in a ministry surrounded by hundreds of students who are coming from extremely difficult family situations. Some of them can’t go home… it’s just not possible because home has become French Camp. Not all students that attend French Camp Academy come from broken homes but the heart and purpose of their existence is to glorify God and impact young people while providing a safe, stable, Christ centered place to heal and grow.
Here are some things I observed while being immersed in the ministry of 200-300 students and staff at the French Camp Academy Boarding School.
- God is good. I can only imagine the turmoil that could overtake a child’s emotions when the family falls apart but yet there is incredible hope in that God is good and He provided a new place and new people to provide love and care. One student told me with a huge smile that God is really good and he feels so incredibly blessed that God provided this family for him. Have you noticed that God often replaces things you’ve lost in life with something new? Have you thanked Him lately for that?
- There is a tremendous joy in serving. The staff that serve the youth at French Camp have a joyful spirit… there is a sense of value in what they are investing in with their life and it shows. Have you noticed that when you invest in others, there is a renewed spirit of joy?
- The harder things bring the greater rewards. I noticed the staff working long hours, the house parents that have chosen to live with 10-15 teenagers and be “mom and dad” and I imagined by interacting with the high-quality people that lead this ministry that they have made financial sacrifices to be there but they didn’t ever mention anything about sacrifice. There was much more of a spirit of reward. It struck me that there are great rewards that come in doing the hard things. Have you considered the rewards that are coming from something hard you are doing right now? Is there something you feel God leading you to do but you are holding back because it looks really hard?
I’d love to get hear from you. Take a minute and answer one of these questions. Your comments could have a big impact on our readers.
What have you lost but seen God replace in your life? Where have you served and found great joy in doing it? What hard thing do you feel you need to start and what is holding you back?
Learn how you can join our support team for as little as $15 per month here www.kenturnerministries.org/give
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by Ken Turner | Outreach, Parents, Youth Ministry
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by Ken Turner | Recommendations
Scott Roley, Founder of The Franklin Table, Franklin, Tennessee. www.scottroley.com
“Ken Turner is a remarkable communicator with young people. After working with students for more than 30 years I can honestly say I don’t know anyone who is better with ‘at risk’ teenagers than Ken Turner. He gives an imaginative and yet straightforward presentation of Christ and the Gospel. If I needed someone to talk with my students about Jesus… I would want it to be Ken Turner!”
Scott Roley helped pioneer a unique redevelopment project in Hard Bargain, a low-income residential neighborhood in Franklin. The vision is to provide work force homes for purchase, thus transforming a 100-year-old neighborhood into a vibrant community. The aim is to revitalize a specific area, while keeping its residents intact and enhancing this piece of Franklin, Tennessee’s history. He also was a founding father of New Hope Academy, a Christ-centered community school with an economically, racially, and culturally diverse student body. It exists to serve low-income families by establishing a solid Biblical worldview, instilling vision, confirming hope and preparing each young person for a life of service.
Roley’s life-long love for music developed into another integral part of his ministry throughout the years. He has released eleven recordings of his own and has co-written songs on numerous projects. He continues to write music and perform. The past two years he spent on tour with Michael Card, performing in concert as well as teaching The Biblical Imagination Series.
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by Ken Turner | Recommendations
Hunter Smith, NFL, retired, Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts and author of The Jersey Effect.
“Every believer has a calling to engage in some facet of God’s work on the earth. From time to time throughout the course of a life it can be hard to decipher exactly what this specific calling is. In Ken Turner I see a man who has received, embraced, been equipped for, and walks in his distinct calling. Five minutes with him and you know he is a man born to reach young people in this world. And, not only is he being obedient in this calling, he is thriving in it.”
About Hunter Smith:
Hunter was drafted by and played for the Indianapolis Colts for ten seasons, during which he received many honors, including being named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and three-time alternate to the Pro Bowl. The Colts franchise recorded the most wins of any team in NFL history over the span of a decade under the leadership of Tony Dungy, Hunter’s greatest sports role model, including winning Super Bowl XLI to cap off the 2006 season.
Hunter signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins in 2009, where he played for two seasons. During his tenure with Washington, he rushed for a touchdown against the New York Giants and passed for a 35-yard touchdown against the Denver Broncos, becoming the only special teams player in NFL history to both run and pass for a touchdown in the same season. He officially retired from professional football in 2011. Hunter serves as director of the Sports and Culture Initiative at the Sagamore Institute, a national think tank based in Indianapolis. Hunter captivates audiences with a powerful message that is full of humbling and humorous experiences. He is enthusiastic about exposing people to God’s truth and the world’s lies. Hunter has carried his message on national and international stages through his gift s of speaking and singing.
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by Ken Turner | Recommendations
Darrin D. Gray, Director of Partner Development, All Pro Dad, “The fatherhood program founded by Tony Dungy” Indianapolis, IN (National Offices in Tampa, FL)
“I have served side-by-side with Ken Turner and know his heart and his leadership capabilities. He has the unique ability to connect with diverse groups of parents and kids…from struggling youth at the juvenile correctional facility, all the way to college bound high school football players at All Pro Dad’s community events held at the Colts Complex. His love for the Lord is always evident. If you need to learn more about Ken Turner call me at 813.777.3140.”
About Darrin Gray:
DARRIN GRAY has a unique window into the National Football League by virtue of his day-to-day involvement with All Pro Dad, Family First’s national fatherhood program cofounded by Tony Dungy and Clyde Christensen. Darrin interacts with NFL athletes, coaches, and alumni that serve as spokesmen for All Pro Dad, and he has conducted programming with over half of the NFL franchises. He develops innovative partnership strategies to reach families via special events, broadcast, and new media with the assistance of media partners and corporate sponsors. He conceptualized The Jersey Effect years ago when he wondered what motivated some athletes like Tony Dungy to use their professional platform in sports, their jersey, to make a positive impact both on and off the field. A few years later he invited NFL punter Hunter Smith, while he was still playing in the NFL, to coauthor the book and to help him explore the many ways that sports shape culture, with the help of his world champion teammates and coaches.
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by Ken Turner | Recommendations
Dave Jamerson, Pastor of Renovate Church, Cedar Park, TX and Former NBA, Houston Rockets
“I truly believe that ministering to the next generation, to underserved people and communities, and to those on the fringes of society are three of the most important areas in which a person can minister. Ken Turner has not only shown a commitment in these areas, but great effectiveness! I would whole-heartedly endorse his ministry!”
About Dave Jamerson
Dave was raised in Northeast Ohio and attended Ohio University.
Dave was a standout basketball player–eventually becoming the 15th pick in the first round of the 1990 NBA draft. After college, Dave moved to Houston, Texas, to begin his professional basketball career with the Houston Rockets.
Dave has served as the International Director and President of a sports ministry; was the Lead Pastor and planter of a church in Carmel, Indiana; was the Founder and President of Champions Academy—a world class basketball training academy; served for seven years on the national ministry team for the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) overseeing all Christian activity at the NCAA Final Four; served on the board of City Mosaic, a partnership of churches in Indianapolis, Indiana, that worked collaboratively to bring transformation to individuals, families, and communities in poverty; and served for seven years on the leadership team as the lead outreach pastor at Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis helping it grow from 1,400 to 6,000 in weekend attendance.
Dave has ministered in over 40 countries and received his training from Victory Leadership Institute and graduated from the Advanced School of Church Planting and Pastoral Ministry in Nashville, Tennessee in 2003.
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by Ken Turner | Recommendations
I am honored to recommend my friend Ken Turner whom I have known over 13 years. I have had the pleasure of serving with Ken on several occasions and have found him to have a true heart for the youth he ministers to. Ken’s tenacity and selfless drive to help young people who may not have known the love of an earthly father to come to know the true love of our heavenly father is an inspiration to me. Above all his professional qualities and achievements, the things that I admire the most in Ken is his dedication to follow his calling and his God given ability to connect with and impact the mission field he has been given.
Kurt Hufford, Commercial Airline Pilot, Skywest Airlines, Colorado Springs, CO
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by Ken Turner | Recommendations
I have found in Ken a kindred spirit! His passion for people is marked by his entrepreneurial outreach to the lost, the last, the least, the locked in and the locked out. Clearly a man of integrity and character, Ken’s abilities to articulate the Good News and mentor disciples of the Lord Jesus are supported by his lifestyle of evangelistic faith. He has been a great blessing to me personally and to our local church!
Curt De Graaff, Senior Pastor, Bethesda Baptist Church, Brownsburg, IN
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by Ken Turner | Recommendations
“Ken Turner is doing an excellent job making a difference in the lives of teenagers. Especially those teenagers whom a lot of people would just write off as hopeless. His ministry in the Juvenile Detention Centers and other places is excellent, and I’ve been honored to be a small part of it.”
Joshua Goodling, Inspirational Speaker, and Director, Web Development, Premier Global Services, Atlanta, GA
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by Ken Turner | Ministry Update, Peer Pressure, Spiritual Growth, Teens, Youth Ministry
High Impact Teens and the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana have partnered together once again for the annual Man Up Conference. Our ministry team of volunteers will spend the entire day on Saturday, February 23, 2013, teaching principles of manhood to incarcerated youth. 85-90% of detained teenagers are “fatherless” and lack the daily support of a loving and engaged dad.
The Man Up Conference was provided by donations from friends who chose to sponsor the event.
If you would like to join our ministry support team and invest in the high-risk youth we serve, we would love to hear from you.
Consider becoming a part of the High Impact Team and support the ministry monthly or by making a quarterly or annual gift.
2 WAYS TO GIVE:
- Mail your gift to: Ken Turner Ministries, Inc., PO Box 1325, Dayton, TN 37321
DOWNLOAD GIVING FORM HERE
- Give Online at www.kenturnerministries.org/give
- Ken Turner Ministries, Inc. is recognized by the IRS as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible. (EIN number 26-2472955)
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by Ken Turner | Ministry Update
Ken Turner Ministries * PO Box 1325 * Dayton, TN 37321
www.kenturnerministries.org * email: kenturner@highimpactteens.org
A Look Back At 2012
In January 2012 we held the first ever Parent – Teen Conference at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center in Indianapolis. We had a powerful line-up of speakers like former Penn State wide receiver (and NFL) player Freddie Scott II, Ramon Presson, family and marriage counselor, founder of Life-Change and The Marriage Center of Franklin, TN, Charles Juma, director of East Africa Region for Reach-Out Youth Solutions, Inky Johnson, former UT Football player and author of Inky, A Story of Faith and Perseverance.
In February I spent a few days in Indianapolis participating in some very unique Super Bowl activities with Darrin Gray of All Pro Dad. Although I didn’t get to attend the Super Bowl, Darrin and I did several events together leading up to the game including an event with the Children’s Museum and spent time meeting with those in the Super Bowl Media Center spreading the word about our book, The Jersey Effect which was to be released in June.
In March we hosted the NACA National Basketball Tournaments at Fort Bluff Camp where I served as the Chaplain of the NACA. We ministered to several hundred high school players and saw many come to Christ. I also travelled to Dallas, Texas to spend some time with Dewayne Washington who is the founder of The Gentlemen’s Society, a mentoring program for hundreds on inner-city youth. Bob Lepine of Family Life Today Radio was there filming a story on Dewayne and his ministry.
In April we took time to go to Palm Beach, Florida with Diane Sirmans, one of our board members, to visit Place of Hope, a neighborhood of homes for youth who have been displaced from their parents. We also met with the staff and toured Urban Youth Impact, a youth center that is doing an amazing work with youth in the poor neighborhoods of West Palm Beach. After these trips, I transitioned from my office at Fort Bluff Camp and set up my new youth outreach office on Main Street in Dayton, TN.
In May, June and July we began the intense work of setting up the re-launch of our outreach ministry in Tennessee. I spent time speaking at churches in Tennessee for special graduation services, meeting with new and potential ministry supporters and developing new partnerships in the community.
The Jersey Effect Book was released during the first week of June and the first 5000 copies sold out by September and an additional 3000 were printed are are selling very well. It has been great to see the book do so well after working about 18 months on it with Hunter Smith and Darrin Gray as well as Stephen Copeland.
In July I participated in a major event at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center in Indianapolis on anti-violence. It was great to be back in the facility and reconnect with great friends there.
We held seven events in 48 hours in August with Darrin Gray of All Pro Dad and Hunter Smith, former Indianapolis Colt. These were “Jersey Effect” youth rallies and ministry events and we were in front of several thousand people in just a couple of days.
In August I was invited back to my home town of Blacksburg, SC to speak at a “Jersey Effect” event for our football players at the high school football stadium and also for the Gaffney Indians Varsity football team chapel service. I preached at Bishop Branch Baptist Church near Clemson, SC on that Sunday.
The last weekend of August, I was back in Indianapolis for a very special mentoring opportunity. Our outreach ministry was asked to provide mentors for about 10 fatherless youth to attend the filming of the TV Simulcast, All Pro Dad Father and Kids NFL Experience at the Indianapolis Colts facility. The TV simulcast will be shown in churches all over America just before the Super Bowl in February of this next year. It was an honor to spend the weekend with Tony Dungy, Clark Kellogg, Lorenzo Neal, Hunter Smith (former NFL players) and my good friend Darrin Gray. One thing that was really special for me was to have about 10 of my friends and ministry supporters come along as mentors for the youth.
This fall we were able to get our “feet on the ground” and start getting more ministry momentum right here in our community in East Tennessee. We held 5 school assemblies this fall with the National Angels and Doves Organization after bringing them here to Tennessee from Indianapolis to address bullying in the schools. I was able to invest this fall in our varsity football team by providing some chapel services for them, I spoke several times in our public schools on values, character and goals and have started a special mentoring session with a group of students I meet with regularly at the alternative school in the county just north of us. These students have all been placed through juvenile court and have great needs.
As we wrap up the last few weeks of 2012 I am getting ready to bring Inky Johnson back to town this coming weekend for a special Christmas party event with Angel Tree ministries where 57 youth who have a parent in prison will receive Christmas gifts. We will be doing a book signing event, a church service and then flying out on Monday morning to speak at a church in Scottsdale Arizona on Monday night as part of a special campaign called Stand Up America, along with Derrick Boles (former professional basketball player), “Papa Joe” Bradford who ministers to inner city youth in Nashville and was the basis of the new movie “Unconditional” along with Scott Roley of Franklin, TN. We have been asked to present the message to encourage others to stand up in their communities and help our hurting youth. Pray for us.
We are excited about 2013 and plan to start our parent ministry and discipleship/mentoring ministry here in our community as we move in to the new year.
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by Ken Turner | Ministry Update, Teens, Youth Ministry
INKY JOHNSON
Saturday, December 15
Angel Tree Christmas Party at First Baptist Church, Kingston, TN (PRIVATE EVENT)
Saturday, December 15
Book Signing Event at Bimbo’s Restaurant, 7606 Rhea County Highway, Dayton, TN 37321 (Hwy. 27)
4:00-6:00 pm
Meet Inky Johnson, get an autograph and if you like you can purchase his book. Proceeds from the sale of Inky’s book will go to support the High Impact Teen youth outreach of Rhea County.
Sunday, December 16
Speaking at First United Methodist Church 993 Market Street, Dayton, TN 37321
at 9:00 am and at 11:00 am
PRESENTED BY HIGH IMPACT TEENS
www.highimpactteens.org
Author of Inky: An Amazing Story of Faith and Perseverance
With his unique talents, Inky seemed destined for the riches and glory of the National Football League. But his future was dramatically altered late in the fourth quarter in the game against the Air Force Academy. Inky Suffered a severe injury that threatened and ultimately altered his life, in a matter of seconds crushing the plans he had for a career in the NFL and beyond. Through it all, Inky never gave up hope or faith in the One who’s plans are perfect.
You’ll be moved by this incredible journey of a life filled with faith and perseverance that will make Inky Johnson a bigger hero today than he ever could have been with a stellar NFL career.
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