Ministry Leaders
Sr. Pastor Kenneth Marcus
Pastor Kenneth Marcus received the call to preach as an undergraduate at Morris Brown College. He was ordained an itinerant deacon of the AME Church in 1978 and an itinerant elder of the AME Church in 1979. He later attended the Candler School of Theology at Emory University where he received a Master of Divinity.
An avid reader and golfer, prior to his assignment to becoming the Pastor of Turner Chapel, Reverend Marcus pastored the St. Luke/Nimno Circuit and the Greater Smith Chapel AME Church. At Turner Chapel, the Lord has truly blessed and expanded Reverend Marcus' ministry. Within a 17-year period, over 3000 individuals have given their lives to Jesus Christ and more than 7000 persons have joined the Turner Chapel congregation.
Like David, Pastor Marcus loves to sing and dance! His favorite scripture is Psalm 37:25. He says he loves this scripture because it constantly reminds him of the unquestionable faithfulness of God.
Pastor Marcus' vision for his personal ministry is to connect people everyday to Christ so that they can then become connected to their ultimate destiny and purpose. And in so doing, become filled with joy, peace and power.
Co-Pastor Cassandra Marcus
Reverend Cassandra Young Marcus is a native of Dothan, Alabama and serves as Turner's Assistant Pastor partnering in ministry with her husband - the Rev. Kenneth E. Marcus.
Reverend "C" received her undergraduate degree from Morris Brown College in Philosophy and Religion and earned the Master of Religious Education from Duke University Divinity School. Later she was matriculated at Emory University, Candler School of Theology, receiving a Masters of Divinity.
Reverend Cassandra who loves to swim, travel, and read personal development books and novel has an assortment of duties at Turner Chapel. She supervises the Care and Comfort Ministry as well as being the liaison for the Care and Counseling Center of Georgia at Turner Chapel AME Church. Reverend Cassandra also directs and coordinates ministerial development, provides pastoral support to the Regarding Women’s Ministry, and is a member of the advisory board for House of Grace.
Reverend Cassandra says Psalm 34:4 is one of her favorite scriptures because God has and continues to deliver her from personal fears such as being afraid to fly as well as drive on the busy interstate highways. She says because of God’s help she can now function fully in these areas.
Outside of Turner Chapel, Reverend Cassandra serves as a Learning Resource Consultant for Black Women in Leadership Program at the Interdenominational Theological Center. And is also a member of the Candler Alumni Board at Emory University.
Reverend Cassandra says her personal mission is to help people as they strive to become the very best person that God has created and called them to be.
Executive Pastor Tar-U-Way Richard Allen Bright
The Reverend Dr. Tar-U-Way Richard Allen Bright, Sr. serves as the Executive Pastor and Interim Minister of Worship for Turner Chapel. He maintains extensive administrative and ministerial duties.
Reverend Dr. Bright says his personal mission is easily summed up by the undeniable and unequivocal fact that he is no accident or coincidence in God’s cosmic order of things (Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13-15). He is destined and uniquely positioned to make a difference where God has positioned him (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
Reverend Dr. Bright is an avid runner, enjoys working out daily, reading, dancing and playing with his two children. In his leisure time, Reverend Dr. Bright loves to play hymns on the organ. Reverend Dr. Bright’s joyous attitude is contagious. He never lacks a big smile or joyful laugh. Rev. Bright says his favorite bible verse is Psalm 27:4 because he strives to be like David - a worshipper that desires only one thing; to behold God’s beauty and dwell in the presence of God all the days of his life.
Reverend Dr. Bright is a proud native of Liberia, West Africa. He is the son of The Reverend Canon J. Jellico Bright (a retired Episcopal Priest) and Mrs. Eliatha K. Bright. Reverend Bright attended the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary where he received a Bachelor of Theology Degree with honors. In 2001, he graduated with honors and awards with a Master of Divinity in Theology and Homiletics from the Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2008, he received his Doctor of Ministry Degree also with honors from the ITC in Atlanta, Georgia.
Reverend Dr. Bright is married to the beautiful Mrs. Retta Sugarpea Bright and they are the proud parents of Tar-U-Way Jr. and lovely, TaRetta Melody.
Youth Pastor Don Ezell
Rev. Don Ezell is a creative preacher who uses everyday illustrations to help his audience internalize the Word of God. In 2001, Rev Ezell began to recognize his gift to explain complex spiritual truths in ways youth can relate and understand.
As the leader of Turner Chapel Youth ministry known as “The Village,” it only takes listening to one of his sermons to understand why he is adored by children and appreciated by adults.
Originally from Fort Valley, GA, he is affectionately known as “Rev Don,” and has been a member of Turner Chapel for over 16 years.
Rev. Don's favorite scripture is Matthew 6:34. He says his personal ministry vision is to always be a husband, father, and youth pastor that keeps a smile on God’s face.
In his spare time, Rev. Don enjoys traveling with his wife, attending his children’s sporting activities, and listening to live jazz music.
