Hello ~ My name is Keri Turner and I am the Director of Children and Family Ministries at Lugoff First! I am a graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Health Science as well as a degree in Dental Hygiene. After 27 years in dentistry, God called me into Children and Family Ministries. I love the children's song, "He's Still Working on Me"! It took God just one day to make the moon and stars, the sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars. But, God is still working on us every day to fulfill His purpose for our life! In 2002, my home church was looking for someone to lead Children's Choir. I thought it would be 'something fun to do', so I volunteered. I realized that I enjoyed leading children's choir and it led to serving in missions, Awana, and Vacation Bible School. I quickly learned that I love working with children because they are busy, loud, and 'all over the place', so I could relate! But, what started out as something fun to do, turned into my passion. God puts a passion in us for a reason and that is to fulfill His purpose.

For many years, my life verse has been Acts 20:24 and it says, "I consider my life worth nothing to me." In my early walk with God, I focused on myself and what I was going to do with my life. However, as my relationship deepened, I realized that I could take my life and do what I want, or I can give it to God and allow Him to do something bigger. And now, the latter part of Acts 20:24 resonates with me and it says, "my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying the good news of God's grace."

I am grateful to be a part of Lugoff First since 2011! We ARE the body of Christ. We teach the biblical truth, worship from the heart, and love one another. And, we LOVE our children! We want our children to know Jesus, love Jesus, and follow Him! Our desire is to teach our children that Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life through creative learning and experiences! We offer Sunday School classes for all ages, Hyfi, Mission Friends, Girls in Action, Royal Ambassadors, Preschool Choir, Children's Choir, our Summer Bible Study: TRIBE 1:9. Our focus is working with parents and children to develop encouraging ways to build a relationship with Jesus, not only at church, but also at home. Our children need to see themselves as Jesus sees them. We believe that our children are not only the 'church of tomorrow, but also the 'church of today'.

I volunteered to lead children's choir in 2002 because I thought it would be 'something fun to do'. Over the years, working with children and serving in church became my passion. Today, it has become my purpose. I am excited to complete to task that God has given me!

God has blessed me with a loving and supportive husband, Brooks and a wonderful son, Cannon. We enjoy football, baseball, beach trips, camping, and spending time with our black lab, Ridge!
I am SO thankful for our church family at Lugoff First Baptist and we would love to have you and your family join us in this journey of life!