Senior Pastor

Hi!  Thank you for visiting my staff biographical page.  I am Rev. Carol Clifford Turner.  What a joy and privilege I have to serve as the senior Pastor of Lufkin First.  I came to this position September 1, 2004 and have been amazed at the wonderful ways God has worked through this congregation.  I enjoy working with the talented staff and committed laity of the congregation.

I was born in Mexia, Texas, but grew up in Center, Texas.  I went through grade school in the Center public schools, graduating from high school there in 1973.  I attended Lon Morris College and then went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas with a degree in History and Sociology. 

Sensing a powerful call to enter the ministry, I was licensed to preach in the United Methodist Church in 1976.  I continued my education in Dallas, Texas at SMU's Perkins School of Theology.  I received my Master of Theology degree in 1981.  The following year I was ordained an elder in the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.

The Lord has taken me on an incredible journey in ordained ministry.  I have had the honor and privilege of serving as Pastor to churches in the Texarkana area from 1981 to June 1997 including Douglassville, Red Bayou, Eylau, Maud, and Texarkana - St. Luke's UMC.  I then moved to the East District (formally the Nacogdoches District) and served as Pastor to Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church of Nacogdoches from 1997 to 2000.  I was then appointed as District Superintendent of the Longview District where I served for 4 years. 

I have been married to my wonderful husband, David, since 1977.  Together we have two great children.  Our son Cliff is married to Ricka Fleschner and they live in St. Louis, Missouri.  Our daughter Leslie attends Lon Morris College.  Over the years I have been involved in a variety of community activities including Habitat for Humanity, Bowie County Child Welfare Board, National Day of Prayer, the Women’s Shelter, and other community assistance organizations.  I have also served as a Trustee for Wiley College.  Currently I am active in the Lufkin Rotary Club.  I enjoy meeting new people and walking in the woods.