Contact: Dr. William Fitts, 205-731-7777

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 28, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Emmanuel Temple Holiness Church #2 welcomes Suffragan Bishop Kevin Paul Turner (50) as acting Pastor next month. "During what initially seemed like a chance meeting a few months ago, the Lord impressed upon my heart to extend an invitation to Suffragan Bishop Turner to come and shepherd our 2nd location during this period of transition. After prayerful consideration he accepted the offer and began clearing his schedule to officially mount the pulpit on Sunday, July 14, 2013," comments Dr. William Fitts senior pastor of Emmanuel Temple Holiness Churches (P.A.W.) #1 in Alabaster, AL and #2 in Birmingham, AL.

Turner, who is a well-known figure locally and nationally, is no stranger to the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. His father, the late District Elder Ervin Turner pastored a P.A.W. church in Peoria, IL for over 40 years and his grandfather the late Elder Amos Turner founded Jerusalem Temple, P.A.W. in Philadelphia, MS (Bishop Clifton Jones).

His education includes graduating summa cum laude from Andersonville Theological Seminary (Theology), an honoris causa Doctorate in Divinity from St. Thomas Christian College and love for Christian education and Sunday School for more than thirty years. Eschatology is one of his favorite subjects. He is the founder of Holy Harvest Ministries and is an ecumenical preacher and teacher of the gospel. Additionally Turner is an educator and member of the music faculty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Music. Turner. He is also a recipient of the Greg Ingalls/UAB Award for "Excellence in Teaching" (2nd place). For 18 years Turner has served as founding director of the world renowned UAB Gospel Choir.

Suffragan Bishop Turner has strong roots and ties within the community. He worked for the American Red Cross for seven years, was a Loaned Executive for United Way of Central Alabama annual fundraising campaigns, participated in the music ministries at the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, the Alabama District Council (P.A.W.), 6th Avenue Baptist Church, Faith Apostolic Church and interned at First Baptist Church Kingston. He is married to the former Yolanda Gail Core with six adult children, with two actively serving in the United States Air Force, and their youngest 16-year-old child is college bound this fall.

His contributions in commemorating the Civil Rights Movement have been recognized by UAB College of Arts & Sciences, (NASPAAM) National Association for the Study and Performance of African American Music, the Carlton Reese Memorial Unity Choir, the 45th Street Baptist Church, the Metro Birmingham Branch NAACP, the Birmingham Chapter of the Stillman College Alumni Association and media outlets across the U.S.A.

Turner is co-founder of Pentecostal Fellowship Churches, Inc. where he served on the board of directors, as District Elder, Western Jurisdictional Bishop and the former Vice Presiding Bishop. On February 22, 2013 Pastor Turner joined the 27th Episcopal Diocese of the P.A.W. with Bishop Theodore Brooks the 2nd Assistant Presiding Prelate of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World presiding over the Ordination and Consecration service. Turner says, "New Testament scripture directs those of us in ministry to 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature' and it is an honor and a privilege to do so in this part of the vineyard which has been pastored by two generations of the Fitts family for decades -- at a church known for its Jesus-centric focus: One Lord, One Faith and One Baptism. I am dedicating myself to do just that with community bible classes, bible-based preaching and a solid worship experience where Jesus Christ is the center of attention."

The Sunday morning worship hour at Emmanuel Temple Holiness Church #2 begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. The church is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Birmingham, Alabama at 1912 15th Avenue, N. 35234.