Providing A Hand Up To Home Ownership
Who We Are
Our Mission
Like many faith-based non-profits, the mission of Turning Point Ministries is two-fold.
- We desire for all people to know and believe this truth: that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Christ desires for us to demonstrate His love to others by helping when there is a need.
- The founders of Turning Point Ministries realized there was a need for affordable housing here in Edmond. We help modest income families who work and serve in our community be able to live here as well.
Our history
Turning Point Ministries was founded in 2008 to help modest income families become homeowners. The seeds for Turning Point were planted in the early 90’s when a group of members from First Presbyterian Church of Edmond raised money and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in Oklahoma City. As they continued to serve Oklahoma City residents, additional Edmond churches joined them. Many of those involved wanted to continue to help provide affordable housing, but they saw a need in Edmond. They built 5 houses with the help of Habitat for Humanity, and then began Turning Point Ministries in 2008 to serve modest income families here in Edmond. Bob Turner, Dick Freeman and John Gruel were founding members of Turning Point Ministries. Our first neighborhood was Legacy Station near downtown Edmond. Currently we are building in our newest neighborhood, Heritage Village, where we have completed about 75% of the thirty-five homes. As you will hear in the video below, original plans for the neighborhood were for thirty-seven, but that has since been revised.
Our values
Home ownership is a big responsibility. We mentor our clients through the process, so they are well prepared when their home is complete and it is time to make the down payment and assume the mortgage. Their home buying journey begins with an application. Qualifying candidates must have a willingness to work through our process which includes: contributing sweat equity on the construction site, maintaining a relationship with a Turning Point mentor, and attending home buying and personal finance classes. Additionally, they commit to make a positive contribution to the safe and drug-free community.
Details about our neighborhoods and the process our home owners go through can be found here on our Apply page.
Turning Point Staff
April Jolley
From a humble family-owned business to the challenges of international NGO work, to political and Association management, April Jolley is a change agent for modernization. April’s core values drive her to service in all she does. She’s worked in her father’s software company, planned hundreds of social and corporate events, traveled to over 25 countries doing nonprofit work, coordinated political campaigns and managed state-wide associations. Leadership development, strategic planning and team building are areas of focus she enjoys the most in her work.
Her passion for service extends to her personal life. She serves on the board of Sharing Tree and Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. With a degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma, she brings a unique perspective to the non-profit sector.
Originally from Tulsa, April is a mom to four children, two of which are adopted. Her experience as a mother to adopted children drives her desire for everyone to have a safe place to call home. Her commitment to excellence and compassion for those who need a hand up, are what motivates her to join Turning Point Ministries. She, husband Clark, and family attend Crossings Community Church.
Brian Tucker
Brian graduated from University of Oklahoma. He has 25 years of experience in construction includes construction of custom homes, spec homes and remodels. The past 13 years Brian was a consultant for a tax credit syndicator that finances low and moderate income housing in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. In this role did plan reviews, land use and infrastructure reviews and construction reports detailing the progress of each project. He also reviewed the financial viability of construction and infrastructure budgets and reviewed and approved all change orders.
Prior to being in the construction industry, Brian spent 10 years in banking as a VP in charge of Loan Service and Other Assets. When he isn’t working Brian likes to watch sports and play golf.
Board of Directors
Tom Wilkinson
Tom and his wife, Susan, have two daughters and two grandchildren. They are members of First Presbyterian Church of Edmond. Tom joined our board in 2020.
Jenny Landes
A board member since 2017, Jenny and her husband Rodney have son and a daughter and attend First Presbyterian Church of Edmond.
Stefan Barnhouse
Stefan and his wife Jenny have been married 21 years. Their daughter, Jenna is a Senior at Edmond Memorial High School. They attend Crossings Community Church in OKC. Stefan is originally from McAlester.
Linda Gater
A board member since 2018, Linda and her husband Jack have a grown son and daughter. They currently attend Faith Bible Church of Edmond.
Andy Fugitt
Andy served as a board member of Turning Point since 2015. He has two sons and two step sons with his wife, Teresa. They are members of First Presbyterian Church of Edmond.
Linda Gater
A board member since 2018, Linda and her husband Jack have a grown son and daughter. They currently attend Faith Bible Church of Edmond.
Scott Javaheri
Scot joined the Turning Point board in 2019. He and his wife Stacy, have four children and are members of First Presbyterian Church of Edmond.
Steve Morey
Steve and his wife Kim have three sons and are members of the First United Methodist Church of Edmond. Steve has served on the board of Turning Point since 2017.
Shelby Williams
Shelby joined the Turning Point board in 2020. She and her husband, Jacob have two young sons and attend Life Church.
Kari Galliart
Kari and her husband Mark have two adult kids, a son and daughter and are members of First Presbyterian Church of Edmond. Kari has served on the board of Turning Point since 2013.
Ainslee Crum
Ainslee and her husband have two sons and a daughter. She and her husband are the 4th generation of her family company, Pella of Oklahoma/the Womble Co, which is entering its 100th year in business in 2022.
Diana Giles
Diana has served on the board of Turning Point since 2017. She and her husband Steve have two adult boys and attend Faith Bible Church of Edmond.
Senior Board
Turning Point Senior Board members are former Board members who attend board meetings in a non-voting, advisory role.