Jamal Bryant, the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church near Atlanta, surprised his congregation by announcing his engagement to Karri Turner during a recent Sunday service. The news came as a shock to many, especially fans of his ex-wife, Gizelle Bryant, a star on The Real Housewives of Potomac, who noticed the striking resemblance between Turner and the reality TV personality.
During the announcement, Jamal expressed his deep admiration for Turner, highlighting her beauty, intellect, and spirit. Turner herself shared on stage that Jamal wanted to marry her because she makes him a better man, emphasizing the importance of a husband who supports and cultivates his partner’s growth.
But who is Karri Turner? A look at her impressive resume reveals a woman of substance and achievement. She studied political science at Morris Brown College and earned a Master’s in Divinity from The Candler School of Theology. Karri is also an author, known for books like The Girl Bible and She’s Lit (40 Daily Prayers of Light), demonstrating her commitment to her faith.
This will be Jamal’s second marriage. His first was to Gizelle, with whom he shares three daughters. However, their marriage faced challenges, including Jamal’s infidelity, which led to their divorce in 2009. Despite attempts to reconcile years later, Gizelle confirmed in 2020 that they had called off their reconciliation.
Despite their past, Gizelle has publicly expressed her best wishes for Jamal and Karri. She mentioned during BravoCon 2023 that she has no regrets about their time together and believes it’s better to have tried and learned than never to have tried at all. For Jamal, having a partner who shares his spiritual passions could signify a new chapter in his personal life and his role as a pastor.
