James Ricky Turner was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, to Revell and Ruth Turner. He was raised in a Baptist Church and did not know he was Jewish until later in his adult life. He believes that his grandfather, Rueben Turner, may have kept his children clueless to protect them from the persecution he had experienced.Rick believes the Lord called him to the ministry when he was 18. As such, he began as a youth and music minister when he was 18 and majored in music at college until his junior year. Then, God changed his direction at a youth retreat at Falls Creek Encampment in Oklahoma. He returned to school the following semester, changing his major to Practical Theology. Rick attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and graduated in July of 1982.

After graduation, he moved to San Antonio, Texas, to pastor a local congregation, where he preached for seven years. On Wednesday night, a couple visited the church. They spoke to him about being "Baptized in Holy Spirit." As Rick listened intently, he was convicted. Their words pierced his heart. Several weeks later, Rick was baptized in Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Later, he resigned as pastor because his newfound revelation of baptism in Holy Spirit did not align with the church's beliefs he was pastoring. Since 1982, Rick has preached in Texas and abroad, including Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Seoul, South Korea.

He is a father of four gifts from Adonai, his children (three daughters and one son) whom he loves dearly. Rick currently resides in San Antonio, Texas. He gives all glory to God.