English
Korean
Spanish
Michael Criner, senior pastor of First Rockwall, has announced his intention to nominate Caleb Turner, senior pastor of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church, as president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention at its annual meeting in October.
Turner has been Mesquite Friendship’s senior pastor since 2023, having previously served as the church’s equipping/teaching pastor, assistant pastor, and co-pastor.
Criner said Turner’s nomination was “years in the making and developed through sincere prayer and ongoing conversations” with a number of SBTC pastors. Through those conversations, Criner said it became clear that Turner—whom he called a “legacy Southern Baptist” and the product of a church plant—has led well on the denominational level, the local church level, and within his own family.
“If you were to visit [Mesquite Friendship] on a Sunday, you would find a church that is in love with the Lord, but a church that trusts their pastor,” Criner said. “ … I believe he has the strength of character, wisdom, and leadership experience to serve well as our president.”
Turner has held multiple leadership positions in Southern Baptist life, including his service as a trustee for the North American Mission Board. He was also the youngest and first African American to serve as chairman of the SBTC’s executive board.
“All were led and served with excellence,” Criner said.
Turner said he would be grateful for the opportunity to serve as president, if elected.
“It is my belief that the SBTC is the greatest state convention in the country,” he said. “God has used godly, capable, and gifted men to lead our convention, and it would be an honor to follow in their footsteps.”
After graduating from John D. Horn High School in Mesquite, Turner attended the University of Oklahoma on a track and field scholarship. Prior to graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, working with its Special Operations Command while stationed at Hurlburt Field in Florida. He was also stationed at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan for a time.
While in Florida, Turner served several churches in youth and children’s ministry. Upon completing his active-duty commitment, Turner attended Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago, earning a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies.
Mesquite Friendship gave $205,100 through the Cooperative Program in 2023 and $181,650 in 2024.
Turner and his wife, Tamera, have three children: Caden, Cason, and Camden. Turner’s father, Terry—Mesquite Friendship’s founding pastor—served as SBTC president from 2011- 2013.
The SBTC Annual Meeting is Oct. 27-28 at Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock.
