ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Rev. Dr.
Theodore T. Turman
Rev. Dr. Theodore Thomas Turman, born in Boston Massachusetts and raised in Detroit MI, is the first son of Rev. Dr. Kevin and Denise Turman. Dr. Turman is a graduate of Detroit Renaissance High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Tuskegee University and his Master of Divinity degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. In 2020, Dr. Turman earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Boston University School of Theology. A lifelong learner, Dr. Turman regularly attends conferences, denominational gatherings, and other opportunities for continuing education. In 2020, he was selected to be in the 2020 Cohort of the Institute of Advanced Pastoral Studies.
​
Raised in the historic Second Baptist Church of Detroit and baptized by his pastor and father, Dr. Turman was active in numerous ministries. He was licensed to preach the gospel at Second in 2005 and was ordained there in 2011. The Progressive National Baptist Convention and American Baptist Churches-USA recognize his ordination.
​
Dr. Turman has served as a Community Organizer with The Detroit-African American Leadership Council and with Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment. From 2007 to 2009, he served as the Youth Pastor of First Iconium Baptist Church of Atlanta GA, under the pastorate of Rev. Timothy McDonald III. Dr. Turman has served as a Staff Chaplain with Hospice Atlanta, DeKalb Medical Center, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where he completed his CPE Internship and Residency. He has also served as the Manager of Spiritual Care for hospitals in both Metropolitan Atlanta as well as Metropolitan Detroit and he is a Board Certified Chaplain.. In 2021, Dr. Turman, in collaboration with Rev. Kenny Beasley of First Baptist Church of Wyandotte, launched the first season of “The Ministry for Breakfast Podcast"; a podcast of best principles and practices for congregational leaders in the 21st century.
​
Since October of 2014, Dr. Turman has served as the 33rd pastor of the First Baptist Church of Detroit; its’ first African American pastor in the church’s 195-year history. In October of 2024, Dr. Turman was selected by the Board of Directors to serve as the 7th President of Ecumenical Theological Seminary. Dr. Turman plans to lead ETS in the achievement of its mission, vision, and objectives by:
-
Prioritizing education and engagement to create opportunities to recruit new donors and partners, laying the groundwork for a sustainable existence.
-
Increasing revenue by expanding offerings to serve the surrounding congregations and communities as a center for lifelong learning through workshops and conferences
-
Tapping into the faith leaders in the community and partnering with them to teach their tools to the broader community
“It is with great enthusiasm and the utmost humility that I join the Ecumenical Theological Seminary as its next president,” says Dr. Turman. In addition, “I am grateful to President Harris for his decades of faithful service to the ETS community and to the Board of Directors for entrusting me with the responsibility of continuing the vital work of equipping theological leaders for the metropolitan Detroit area and beyond.”
​
Dr. Turman is married to the former Akilah Fatima Dozier, and are the proud parents of Gavin Christopher Turman.