New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia has a soon-to-be first lady! Its pastor, Jamal Bryant, put a ring on Dr. Karri Turner’s finger and announced their engagement during Sunday service on May 26.
Since then, social media users have been curious about his ex-wife Gizelle Bryant’s reaction while digging for details on Dr. Karri Turner’s life.
Well, dig no more! Here are four things to know about the soon-to-be Mrs. Bryant!
1. She’s Also A Pastor
One thing Karri and Jamal have in common is their love for God and the church! According to her website, she obtained her Master of Divinity Degree from The Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
She had aspirations of becoming a politician — shoutout to her B.A. in political science — but Turner ended up finding purpose in connecting people, particularly women, with Christ. She is an ordained clergywoman and completed her Doctorate in Ministry in May 2023.
Her Instagram bio also categorizes her as the Pastor of Cardiology at her fiancé’s church, New Birth.
2. Dr. Karri Turner Is A Published Author
Karri doesn’t play any games when it comes to her commitment to drawing people to Christ. She frequently advocates using “every single part of who she is” to do so. One way she’s done so is by publishing two books called ‘She’s Lit’ and ‘Girl Bible.’
Most recently, she released a journal and planner combo called ‘The Nudge’ that includes prompts, scriptures, along with a space to stay on track with goals! The planner is part of her Mentorship Initiative by the same name, which consists of her “challenging, cultivating, and growing” others “spiritually, personally, and professionally.”
3. She’s Also An Entrepreneur
Turner has found ways to turn her commitment and love of God into profit! Yes, with books, as mentioned above, but also as an award-winning speaker.
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According to Atlanta Black Star, churches and faith leaders often book Karri for speaking engagements related to her areas of expertise. Per her website, those areas include:
- leadership in ministry and marketplace
- vision cultivation and executing
- spiritual capacity building, strategic planning, and focus
- signature program design and development
- personal advocacy, agency, and accountability
- transformational leadership
- self-branding and publishing
- entrepreneurship
Aside from collecting coins as an award-winning speaker, Karri Turner is also a fashionable woman of God. She is the brains behind the online women’s boutique called 180 West.
4. Turner & Gizelle Bryant Seemingly Get Along
Folks online have also seemingly noted physical similarities between Gizelle and Pastor Karri Turner. But in a recent interview, Gizelle paid those comparisons dust! Instead, she doubled down on her happiness for the couple.
She had first congratulated them on Instagram under Pastor Jamal Bryant’s post about their engagement. Both Jamal and Dr. Turner warmly received her congrats. Karri, specifically, wrote back, “Thank you so much, gorgeous,” adding some feel-good emojis.
In a recent interview with ‘Good Day DC,’ the ‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ star confirmed that she’s happy for Jamal and the church.
She joked that she needs his parishioners to be happy with him because “he has a lot of tuition to pay.” The ex-couple share three daughters, Grace, Adore, and Angel, whom their father said is “happy” about his engagement.
And while Gizelle didn’t name-drop Dr. Karri Turner in her recent interview, she seemingly suggested that the engagement is a necessity for New Birth and positively impacts Jamal’s presence as a father.
