Pastor A.G. Turner

I’m excited to be able to serve in Newton! I was appointed to Salem UMC in July 2025, and I already feel right at home. There are a lot of great things about this community and the people in it. I especially appreciate that we have several organizations here that are helping folks have a better life.

I try to live out the UMC mission statement: Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. I love it when people discover their gifts and find ways to use them. My goal is to walk alongside folks wherever they are in their spiritual journey and journey in life and offer support and encouragement along the way.

I see the greatest commandment, love God with all you are and love others, to be central to my own spiritual journey. I believe this love is expressed through proclaiming the Good News of Jesus, and through service to others which is motivated by that love.

A couple of sentences about my background - I’m an ordained elder who began serving in eastern Kansas, being assigned by the District Superintendent. I then became a licensed local pastor and eventually was ordained as an elder. I’ve served across the Great Plains Annual Conference, mostly in Kansas. I graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary.

My invitation to you: Everyone is welcome at Salem UMC, so come on in! We’d love to see you!