In October 2022, Reverend Dr. Shanell E. Turpin, was voted to become Pastor-Elect of the Second Baptist Church following the Senior Pastor's Retirement in November 2023, making her the first female pastor in the church's 134 year history.
Having answered the Call to the Gospel Ministry, Pastor Shanell was licensed by the Second Baptist Church under the pastorate of her father, Reverend Dr. Richard D. Turpin on September 11, 2005. She was ordained as Reverend on February 18, 2012.
Reverend Shanell Turpin has served as Superintendent of Sunday School, Assistant Director of Christian Education, Director of Media Communications and Advisor of Pulpit Protocol.
Shanell's service has never been limited to the confines of the church and she has served in numerous community capacities. She has been a servant for the Albany City Rescue Mission, Chaplain of Eden Park and The Pines Nursing Home Ministry, Chaplain for Columbia County Jail, President for the Hudson River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association Young People’s Department. She currently serves as the Hudson River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education President.
After a receiving an unexpected diagnosis forcing her to withdraw from school, Reverend Shanell persevered and went on to earn seven degrees and multiple certificates including a Doctorate of Theology, Masters in Pastoral Counseling and Master of Theology.
Doctor Turpin has received formal education from Community College, Bible College; Morgan State University and Harvard University. The second child born to Rev. Dr. Richard and Reverend Suzette Turpin, she believes everyone should receive an education and fights to ensure those in her community have access.
Doctor Turpin is a gifted Woman of God who is sought after to Preach, Teach, Evangelize, Conduct Seminars, Workshops and Revivals on a global platform. She has been equipped to reach this current generation in a profound and simple manner. Despite the doctors' diagnosis, Doctor Turpin is living proof that God has the last say. She lives her life under the banner of her favorite scripture...
'But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
History was made in March 2024 when Rev. Dr. Shanell Turpin was installed as the first Black Female Pastor of Second Baptist Church and the first Black Female Baptist Pastor in Greene County.