By Tia Bowman // Relationships // EEW Magazine Online

Rev. Jamal Bryant surprised New Birth Missionary Baptist Church during Sunday’s service with a proposal to fellow pastor Karri Turner, making her a prospective First Lady.

The news quickly spread on social media, accompanied by Bryant’s personal Instagram post announcing the upcoming nuptials.

"I’m grateful to God that today the Lord has given @mzkarribaby to be my wife and @newbirthmbc has a First Lady," Bryant wrote. "My heart is overjoyed, and my destiny is in clear focus. Love always wins!!"

In a video posted by Bryant, captured before an enthusiastic congregation, he shared his plans to marry Turner. "Sometimes your blessing will be right in front of your eyes, and you don’t even know," Bryant remarked. "An amazingly beautiful woman, an amazingly brilliant woman, last year she graduated with her doctorate, and I saw her walk across that stage and get her doctorate, and the Lord said, ‘You big dummy, what are you waiting on?’"

"I am so grateful to God that she has consented to be my wife," Bryant expressed. "Would you help me thank God for Dr. Karri Turner? I can’t tell you how happy I am, how happy my family is, how happy my children are, and I hope my church is happy for me," he added as applause and cheers filled the church.

Bryant, previously known for his relationship with “The Real Housewives of Potomac” star Gizelle Bryant from 2002 to 2009, acknowledged their past and their shared children—Grace, Adore, and Angel—in his announcement. Gizelle commented on Bryant’s post, offering well wishes on his new chapter of love.

Turner shared her excitement on Instagram as well, displaying her engagement ring with a simple caption: "And the Lord remembered her."

The news comes more than five years after Bryant assumed leadership of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia. The pastor’s wife-to-be, Turner, is described on her website as a national speaker committed to drawing women and girls to Christ.

More on EEW Magazine Online