Biographical Sketch
Russ and Lynn are both second generation
missionaries. Lynn was reared in the mountains of Kentucky where her
dad, Evertie Moore, went as a home missionary with BIMI in 1961.
Russ’ family went to the Cayman Islands as missionaries, also with
BIMI, when Russ was a young man, and he spent his high school years
helping in that ministry.
Russ and Lynn met at Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN
and were married in 1975. Lynn graduated in 1976, and after Russ’
graduation in 1977 they made application to BIMI for missionary
service in Costa Rica. They were duly accepted and began deputation.
Thirteen months later, on November 13, 1978, the Turners arrived in
Costa Rica and began Spanish language school right after Christmas
of that year. During the time of language study, they worked in
another BIMI missionary’s church in Heredia, Costa Rica.
After finishing language school, the Turners moved to Limon on the
Caribbean coast and began the Los Corales Baptist Church. They
rented a piece of property and built a temporary building of wood
framing and tin roof. Many people were saved and baptized during
their four years of ministry there. The church was able to purchase
another piece of property, and Russ helped them build a cement block
building where the church meets today. They have their own national
pastor and have started other mission works.
In 1985, the Turners moved to San Ramon and began Calvary Baptist
Church. They have resided in this town of 70,000 for the past 21
years and have started four other mission churches from the main
church in San Ramon. Students are being trained in the Bible
Institute to preach, teach Sunday school, lead singing, and
evangelize. These are the people who are helping in the mission
churches. Calvary Baptist has also sponsored a daily radio program
“Victory in Jesus” which reached out to surrounding towns and homes.
The Turner’s ministry also involves youth camps, pastors
conferences, evangelism outreach, tract distribution, construction
of sister churches, and supporting Latin missionaries who serve in
other countries.
The
Turners have three children who were raised and home-schooled in
Costa Rica (click photo for a closer look of the family). All three
have gone on to graduate from college in the USA. Lathan, the oldest
son, is a captain in the USAF. He has served two tours in Iraq,
three years in England and is presently stationed in Washington,
D.C. Richard, the second son, is a 1st Lieutenant in the USMC, and
is presently in training to be a helicopter pilot. Rachel, the only
daughter and Richard’s twin, has completed her Masters Degree in
Communications at University of South Florida in St. Petersburg, FL,
and is presently working as a photo journalist.
The Turners continue to reach out to new areas with the gospel.
Continue to pray for them and the Costa Rican people. Those who have
been saved are so thankful that the gospel reached them and changed
their lives. Families have been restored, alcoholics have been
delivered, children now have Christian homes, and old people have
found Christ before their death. Obviously, the devil doesn’t take
this with arms folded. He seeks to disrupt, deceive, and destroy.
But God gives the victory! “Greater is He that is in us than he that
is in the world.”
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