Pastor TJ Shockley
Pastor TJ Shockley is founder and Senior Pastor of Turning Point Christian Center.
Pastor TJ grew up in western South Dakota, and knew at an early age that there was a call on his life to preach the Word of God. It was while driving a tractor in a dusty field one day somewhere around the age of 12, that he preached his first sermon. There was no congregation, no pulpit, there was no microphone or speakers, but there was an anointing, and a passion to help people.
As the tears streamed down his cheeks that day in the cab of that tractor, it was evident to him as a young boy that God had placed a call on his life to preach the Gospel. Looking back, it is now evident that that day was a turning point in his life. It would be several years later before that young man would accept the call to preach and actually enter into full time ministry.
Pastor TJ attended National Business College in Rapid City, SD for one year before transferring to Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND. Taking business classes at TBC, Pastor had planned on going into business, but God had other plans. After taking two years of classes at TBC, he moved to the Twin Cities to begin working in the retail world. It wasn’t long after that that he accepted the call of the Lord on his life and went into the ministry.
Now, many years later, Pastor TJ is leading others to turning points in their lives by preaching and teaching the Word of God in a relevant manner that can be applied to everyday life. Ultimately, it is Pastor’s desire to bring people to the greatest turning point of all, and that is accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
In the fall of 2012, Pastor TJ and family moved back to South Dakota to launch a brand new Turning Point in Lemmon, SD. The new church plant in Lemmon held their first service on Sunday, September 9, 2012!
Pastor TJ grew up in western South Dakota, and knew at an early age that there was a call on his life to preach the Word of God. It was while driving a tractor in a dusty field one day somewhere around the age of 12, that he preached his first sermon. There was no congregation, no pulpit, there was no microphone or speakers, but there was an anointing, and a passion to help people.
As the tears streamed down his cheeks that day in the cab of that tractor, it was evident to him as a young boy that God had placed a call on his life to preach the Gospel. Looking back, it is now evident that that day was a turning point in his life. It would be several years later before that young man would accept the call to preach and actually enter into full time ministry.
Pastor TJ attended National Business College in Rapid City, SD for one year before transferring to Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND. Taking business classes at TBC, Pastor had planned on going into business, but God had other plans. After taking two years of classes at TBC, he moved to the Twin Cities to begin working in the retail world. It wasn’t long after that that he accepted the call of the Lord on his life and went into the ministry.
Now, many years later, Pastor TJ is leading others to turning points in their lives by preaching and teaching the Word of God in a relevant manner that can be applied to everyday life. Ultimately, it is Pastor’s desire to bring people to the greatest turning point of all, and that is accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
In the fall of 2012, Pastor TJ and family moved back to South Dakota to launch a brand new Turning Point in Lemmon, SD. The new church plant in Lemmon held their first service on Sunday, September 9, 2012!
How it all started...
Turning Point Christian Center was originally started by Pastor TJ & Lisa Shockley in the year 2003 in Brooklyn Park, MN. It was a glorious beginning as the God led and confirmed each step of this new venture in ministry. After several years of productive ministry in Minnesota, in the year 2012, Pastor TJ & Lisa felt led to begin a new branch of Turning Point in Lemmon, South Dakota. Unfortunately, Turning Point in MN was closed shortly after the branch in South Dakota began.
The church in Lemmon began meeting in the local theater and saw steady growth as many individuals and families were drawn back to church after having been away from church in general for some time. There were some who came looking for a fresh start, and still others testified that they had been praying for a new opportunity for ministry in the Lemmon area. It was an exciting time as people were discovering that church can be both exciting and meaningful on a weekly basis. Many were experiencing the newness of a personal relationship with God in their lives, some for the very first time.
In January of 2015, Turning Point purchased a vacant church building at 214 2nd Ave West. While structurally sound, the entire building was in dire need of remodel. With several “work days†everyone pitched in and gutted the building in preparation for a new look.
The church in Lemmon began meeting in the local theater and saw steady growth as many individuals and families were drawn back to church after having been away from church in general for some time. There were some who came looking for a fresh start, and still others testified that they had been praying for a new opportunity for ministry in the Lemmon area. It was an exciting time as people were discovering that church can be both exciting and meaningful on a weekly basis. Many were experiencing the newness of a personal relationship with God in their lives, some for the very first time.
In January of 2015, Turning Point purchased a vacant church building at 214 2nd Ave West. While structurally sound, the entire building was in dire need of remodel. With several “work days†everyone pitched in and gutted the building in preparation for a new look.
Today, the entire building has been remodeled and updated with new electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, new siding and many other updates too numerous to mention.
While there are many projects still ongoing, the congregation has a beautiful technologically advanced church building in which to worship!
Since that initial service at the theatre in 2012, Turning Point has flourished in Lemmon and the surrounding community influencing countless people with the message of hope, love and generosity through in house services, a daily and weekly radio programs, social media outlets including livestreaming, and numerous outreach events each year.
With a rich history behind us, we look forward to many years of ministry ahead of us as we continue to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, loving God and loving people.
While there are many projects still ongoing, the congregation has a beautiful technologically advanced church building in which to worship!
Since that initial service at the theatre in 2012, Turning Point has flourished in Lemmon and the surrounding community influencing countless people with the message of hope, love and generosity through in house services, a daily and weekly radio programs, social media outlets including livestreaming, and numerous outreach events each year.
With a rich history behind us, we look forward to many years of ministry ahead of us as we continue to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, loving God and loving people.
Beliefs
The Scriptures to Be Inspired
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the living infallible, and everlasting rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason.
(II Timothy 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12)
The One True Godhead
The triune Godhead is comprised of 3 separate and distinct personalities, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, who are eternally self-existent, self-revealed and function as one entity. Jesus Christ, who is God manifested in the flesh, is the second member of the Godhead, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and The Holy Spirit.
(John 1:1-5, 10-14; Matthew 28:18-20)
Man, His Fall and Redemption
Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness:. But, man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ the Son of God.
(Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)
The Salvation of Man
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:24; John 3:3) On the cross Jesus Christ became sin and sickness providing both salvation and divine healing for all mankind (Psalms 103:3), being justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. For by grace we are saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8) “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart; that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.†(Romans 10:8-10)
The Evidences of Salvation. The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit. (Romans 8:16; I John 3:18-19, 24) The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. “You will know them by their fruits.†(Matthew 7:16-20)
Faith and Works. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works: however, our works will determine the rewards in eternity. (Ephesians 2:8-10; Galatians 2:16; II Corinthians 5:10)
Baptism in Water
The ordinance of baptism by a burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures by all whom have truly repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.
(Matthew 28:19: Romans 6:4; Acts 10:47-48)
The Lord’s Supper
“And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is broken for you. Do this, in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “this cup is the new covenant in my blood; Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.â€
(II Corinthians 11:24-25, 28)
The Promise of the Father
All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Luke 24:29; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:38) With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. (Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 12:1-31) This wonderful experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.
(Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16)
The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The full consummation of the Baptism of believer in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and by the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony and service.
(Acts 1:8; 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:2, 6; Galatians 5:16-26)
The Church
The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God though the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the first born, whose names are written in Heaven.
(Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23)
Total Prosperity
Spiritual III John 2; II Corinthians 5:17-21
MentalII Timothy 1:7; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3
Physical Isaiah53:4-5; Matthew 8:117; I Peter 2:24
Financial Malachi3:10-11; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6-15; Deut. 28:1-14
SocialProverbs 3:4; Luke 2:52; Esther 2:15
Blessed Hope
Jesus is coming again to gather all His Saints to ever be with Him.
(I Corinthians 15:51-52; I Thessalonians 4:16-17)
The Lake of Fire
Those who have not accepted the redemptive work of Jesus Christ will suffer eternal separation from the Godhead. The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and anyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire, which burns with brimstone. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
(Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15)
The Millennial Reign of Jesus
The Scriptures promise the return of our Lord Jesus Christ with His saints from Heaven to rule and reign for one thousand years on earth. (II Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6) After this, there shall be a new heaven and a new earth.
(Revelation 21)
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the living infallible, and everlasting rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason.
(II Timothy 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12)
The One True Godhead
The triune Godhead is comprised of 3 separate and distinct personalities, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, who are eternally self-existent, self-revealed and function as one entity. Jesus Christ, who is God manifested in the flesh, is the second member of the Godhead, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and The Holy Spirit.
(John 1:1-5, 10-14; Matthew 28:18-20)
Man, His Fall and Redemption
Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness:. But, man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ the Son of God.
(Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)
The Salvation of Man
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:24; John 3:3) On the cross Jesus Christ became sin and sickness providing both salvation and divine healing for all mankind (Psalms 103:3), being justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. For by grace we are saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8) “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart; that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.†(Romans 10:8-10)
The Evidences of Salvation. The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit. (Romans 8:16; I John 3:18-19, 24) The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. “You will know them by their fruits.†(Matthew 7:16-20)
Faith and Works. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works: however, our works will determine the rewards in eternity. (Ephesians 2:8-10; Galatians 2:16; II Corinthians 5:10)
Baptism in Water
The ordinance of baptism by a burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures by all whom have truly repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they have also been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.
(Matthew 28:19: Romans 6:4; Acts 10:47-48)
The Lord’s Supper
“And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is broken for you. Do this, in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “this cup is the new covenant in my blood; Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.â€
(II Corinthians 11:24-25, 28)
The Promise of the Father
All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Luke 24:29; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:38) With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. (Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 12:1-31) This wonderful experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.
(Acts 2:38; 10:44-46; 11:14-16)
The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The full consummation of the Baptism of believer in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and by the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony and service.
(Acts 1:8; 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:2, 6; Galatians 5:16-26)
The Church
The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God though the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the first born, whose names are written in Heaven.
(Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23)
Total Prosperity
Spiritual III John 2; II Corinthians 5:17-21
MentalII Timothy 1:7; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3
Physical Isaiah53:4-5; Matthew 8:117; I Peter 2:24
Financial Malachi3:10-11; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6-15; Deut. 28:1-14
SocialProverbs 3:4; Luke 2:52; Esther 2:15
Blessed Hope
Jesus is coming again to gather all His Saints to ever be with Him.
(I Corinthians 15:51-52; I Thessalonians 4:16-17)
The Lake of Fire
Those who have not accepted the redemptive work of Jesus Christ will suffer eternal separation from the Godhead. The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and anyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire, which burns with brimstone. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
(Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15)
The Millennial Reign of Jesus
The Scriptures promise the return of our Lord Jesus Christ with His saints from Heaven to rule and reign for one thousand years on earth. (II Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6) After this, there shall be a new heaven and a new earth.
(Revelation 21)