PLANO, Texas — An associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church is poised to return to the White House as part of the Trump administration with the nomination of Scott Turner for secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Turner and his wife Robin have been members at Prestonwood for 18 years, where he has served as associate pastor the last four. The couple have a grown son, Solomon.

During Donald Trump’s first term, Turner was executive director for the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.

In 2021 he returned to Texas and founded the Community Engagement and Opportunity Council, which works toward revitalization in communities “through sports, mentorship and economic opportunity.”

“Thank you, Mr. President,” Turner posted on X after Trump’s Nov. 22 announcement. “I am thrilled to continue the outstanding work we began in your last administration at HUD with an incredible team. I am deeply humbled by your confidence in my nomination.”

Turner went on to express gratitude to his mentor, Ben Carson, who served as Trump’s HUD secretary during the first term.

“Few people are as compassionate and gracious as he is, and I am aware that I have big shoes to fill,” Turner said. “The forgotten men and women of this great country over the past four years will be honored in the Trump administration.”

A native of the Dallas area, Turner played football and ran track at the University of Illinois. He was drafted as a cornerback by the Washington Redskins in 1995 to begin an eight-year NFL career that included stops with the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. He continues to serve as a senior advisor to the NFL’s executive vice president of Football Operations.

Prior to working at the White House, Turner was a two-term member of the Texas House of Representatives.

“Scott Turner is a beloved pastor at Prestonwood and a dear friend,” said Senior Pastor Jack Graham. “I met Scott when he was 17 and the football teammate of one of my sons. He is a man of impeccable character and dynamic leadership skills. This is truly his calling, as he brings much experience and passion to this role.

“Scott loves the Lord, he loves people, and he will be a mighty instrument for God in this new role, serving and elevating local communities and blessing America with compassionate conservatism.”

This article has been republished with permission from Baptist Press.

Scott Barkley is chief national correspondent for Baptist Press.