DALLAS, TEXAS – A former military service member’s life is a testament to transformation, faith, and service, echoing the power of perseverance and divine purpose. Born as the youngest of ten children in Dallas, Texas, his journey reflects not only his personal evolution but also his profound impact on communities both locally and globally.

He shares his journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a global minister and spiritual leader. His military experiences include his tours in Korea, and his work with soldiers and their families. He recounts his transformation from a troubled youth to finding purpose through faith and military service. God then transitions him into ministry, including his work with various churches and radio shows, while emphasizing the importance of discipleship, servanthood, and obedience in his spiritual journey.

Early Life: Roots and Challenges

Apostle James Turknett, founder of Faith and Power Ministry Interdenominational Church (FAPMIC), former Radio and TV Personality, Precinct Chairman, U.S. Army Veteran Leader, Activist, Life Coach, and Establisher of various organizations, comes from a heritage deeply ingrained in faith.

His grandmother sought a better life in Texas, and his family lineage includes pastors and musicians. Despite this foundation, his path was far from straightforward. Growing up, Apostle Turknett faced serious challenges, including brushes with the law, violence, and the streets of West Dallas.

“In West Dallas…that’s a tough area, known for some people called Bonnie & Clyde. These people were gangsters,” shared Apostle Turknett. “And so, when I was born, she [my grandmother] named me James Clyde. I grew up thinking about doing bad stuff all the time. I know that you have to be careful what you name kids, because it can have a significant impact [on them].”

Turknett candidly recounts experiences with guns and violence yet consistently attests to miraculous protection—a theme that would recur throughout his life. Although surrounded by church life—his mother a prophetess and his father a musician minister—Turknett admits he often rebelled against expectations. He freely shares that he was not always on the best path, acknowledging difficulties at home and within himself.

“At 14 years old, I almost got killed three times in two weeks. I cried out after the third time, ‘God…save me, it does not look I can make it,’ and the next day I went to school… I would go to church, even though I was doing wrong, selling drugs and fighting people, but God had His hand on me. God pulled me out of that and put me in the army. God began to take me, mold me, shape me, and turn me into another person.”

Apostle James Turknett

Turning Point: Military Service and Spiritual Awakening

The pivotal shift began when, almost by accident, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. What seemed like an escape from a troubled environment became a crucible for transformation. The military provided discipline and structure but also exposed him to international experiences, particularly during his tours in Korea, Japan, and Mexico.

During this period, Turknett began ministering overseas, starting a small choir that blossomed into a thriving ministry, sometimes reaching crowds of thousands.

“In 1990, we started a church in Korea…it was just a handful of us, started with a choir, and then the choir burst into a ministry and it grew,” stated Turknett. “Our largest crowd was like three thousand people.”

Apostle James Turknett

The discipline and leadership skills in the military became foundational to his ministry style, emphasizing servanthood, obedience, and continual learning.

He also witnessed and experienced miraculous healings—including his own—deepening his commitment to the power of prayer and fasting. Stories abound in his narrative of praying for soldiers’ families, leading to life-changing results.

Called Back: Ministry in Dallas

Despite his reluctance, Turknett felt a divine call to return to Dallas. This was not an easy homecoming, as he had unresolved feelings about his past.

“God said, James, I want you to go back to America and I said, ‘Well, God, I want to go to Germany.’ God said, ‘I want you to go back, you have to go back to Dallas’… ‘I wasn’t planning to go to Dallas, I was a little bit upset with my family and I left. I wasn’t the best kid or person in the world. I used to get in a lot of trouble. I’m talking like real trouble, like the police putting handcuffs on you and stuff, that type of trouble. I’ve had several guns at my head, and they cocked them and tried to fire them, but Jesus blocked and stopped them. People shot at me. I’ve been cut in the hands, I’ve been cut in the face, but nothing harmed me, because the Lord’s Hand was upon me. Hallelujah, Glory to God!”

Apostle James Turknett

Nevertheless, embracing the call meant facing his own history and using his experiences to reach others facing similar struggles. Resuming his work in Dallas, he started out as a youth minister, focusing on troubled youth. His effectiveness stemmed from authenticity—he had walked in their shoes. His ministries grew rapidly, utilizing discipleship and practical outreach over mere evangelism, and prioritizing character formation and service over titles.

Foundation of Faith and Power Ministry

Guided by visions, spiritual mentors, and personal encounters with God, Apostle Turknett officially birthed Faith and Power Ministry December 3, 1993. His journey to the birthing happened in the most interesting way. There were various episodes in his life, where God began to take him from glory to glory, first by promoting him spiritually into leadership, which would later lead to the launching of his ministry.

His movement into leadership began when he attended a church called Eagle’s Nest. American televangelist, W.V. Grant was ministering. As he was preaching, Turknett was taken into the spirit and out of the message.

“I saw a hand, a big hand come to my head. On my head, I had silver bars, and if you’re in the military, that’s a lieutenant bar, and [the hand] grabbed the lieutenant bar off of my head and put on my head two silver bars with a railroad track on it. Then the dream disappeared, and I came back. I was in the back; nobody knew I was having a visitation from God.”

Apostle James Turknett

Turknett realized that was the moment he was promoted to being captain, in other words…a pastor. Later that night when he got home, the bishop from his church called him and told him that he was now the pastor. This is when God began to advance him in the spirit. He was already serving in different capacities at his church Love Christ Charismatic Church and was there for a year already. He kept on praying about his future, and that night was when his prayers were answered.

“God kept dealing with me about faith. He kept dealing with me about power. I said, “What is this about faith? What is this about power?’”

In 1991, as his spirit was stirred to find out more, Turknett began to study about prophets and preachers who carried the anointing from the days of old, such as R. W. Schambach, American Pentecostal Pastor, Televangelist, Faith Healer and Author; Kenneth Erwin Hagin, American Preacher known for pioneering the Word of Faith Movement; and W.V. Grant, American Televangelist, Assembly of God Pastor, and Voice of Healing Evangelist; and A.A. Allen, American Pentecostal Voice of Healing Evangelist & Revivalist.

Turknett went to see a prophet named Wayne Park, who carried a similar type of anointing.

“I went to see him. He had these old VHS tapes. He said, ‘I have this type of A.A. Allen, and I’m the only person to have all these tapes.’ I heard the Spirit say to buy them. I said, ‘God, that’s fifty for just one. VHS is usually ten bucks, that’s fifty.’ God said, ‘buy it.’ I bought it. God said, ‘I want you to watch it every night.’”

Apostle James Turknett

The video was in black and white. It was quite odd for someone of his age to watch something like that, let alone, pay so much for it. In obedience to God’s directions, Turknett began to watch it night after night. For one whole year he began fasting and praying weekly while watching the tape. The supernatural happened that caused Faith and Power to be stirred into birth.

“It was about faith and power every night. People are coming on stretchers in L.A., they’re coming in wheelchairs, but everybody gets up, everybody walks, and this is every night!” Turknett excitingly shared. “It was like looking at an old movie. And I mean, the power of God is moving, and things are happening. Miracles are starting to happen.”

After watching the black and white video faithfully throughout the weeks, that old movie suddenly came to life!

“‘One night, I’m looking at A.A. Allen, and it’s in my spirit.’ It says, ‘God’s man of Faith and Power!’ that jumps into me!” Turknett shared. “And I said, ‘What’s that, God?’ He said, ‘Now you’re the man of Faith and Power.’ I said, ‘No, that’s the evangelist.’ He said, ‘You’re the man of Faith and Power…I’ll show you a sign tomorrow.”

At this time, Turknett was still a youth pastor at a small church with very few people. He went to church, and during service he was led to pray for a lady by telling her to walk in the name of Jesus. He let her hand go and the woman walked across the church herself by the power of God.

“And that was the first time God had used me,” said Turknett. “When I got home, God said, I told you I was going to show you a miracle tomorrow. I said, Lord, You said, I’m a man of Faith and Power.”

After this he began to ask God what his next step was.

“When do I start Faith and Power?” asked Turknett, and the Lord replied “December.”

He originally thought it was December 1992, but after seeking the Lord, he was led to start it December of the following year. God did it! On Friday, December 3, 1993, Faith and Power Ministry was born. Driven by prayer, fasting, and a heart for service, he experienced spiritual advancement into apostleship, and the ministry experienced supernatural growth and influence.

Turknett’s leadership demonstrates a unique blend of military discipline and spiritual sensitivity, evident in his ability to mentor leaders, build teams, and serve a diverse flock in churches, conferences, and other means.

Faith and Power Ministry has now thrived for over thirty years, described not as a mere organization but as an ongoing movement marked by miracles, discipleship, and personal transformation. Apostle Turknett continues to train disciples— “personal pastors”—sending them into places where many traditional ministries may not go.

Author and Visionary

In addition to his ministerial work, Turknett is also an author. His book, “Ordinary Day,” is a gripping snapshot of David’s life—from an overlooked shepherd boy to king—highlighting the single day he fell out of position, saw a married woman from his rooftop, and spiraled into lust, adultery, and a devastating cover-up that cost an innocent soldier his life. His book is available through Amazon and other platforms.

With the heart of a Life Coach, he strengthens and empowers people to rise to their fullest potential. His passion for community impact led him to establish Building Lives Academy and Daycare for single parents, along with TCBEN—True Counsel Business Economic Networks—where he teaches low-income individuals how to gain employment through hands-on workforce training.

What’s Happening Now with Apostle Turknett?

He is preparing for the Faith & Power Ministries Reunion, scheduled for December 7, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. CST in Dallas, Texas. All are invited to attend!

Conclusion: A Legacy of Service and Transformation

Through adversity and calling, Apostle James Turknett’s journey illustrates the redemptive power of faith and disciplined service. From the streets of West Dallas to military compounds in Korea and multitudes in churches across the globe, his life’s narrative is one of second chances, unwavering devotion, and relentless pursuit of purpose.

Apostle Turknett’s message is clear: no one is too far gone to change, and with faith and discipline, ordinary people can experience extraordinary transformation.

This is Sharlene, reporting from Horns of Heaven Global Network, letting the power of Jesus be known, by Sounding the Trumpet of News from God’s People to God’s People across the globe. It’s all about the Kingdom of God and connecting the believers of Christ through clear communication and real-life stories told around the world! Nation to Nation…We Are One!

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