Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner is reminding believers that God can birth dreams even in life’s darkest moments.

Speaking Friday at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Conference, Turner opened up about how God met him during his parents’ divorce when he was just 10 years old—a moment that could have shattered him but instead set him on a path toward the NFL, public service, and ministry.

“I’ve gone through a lot of challenges in my life that could have broken me, that could have sidelined me, that could have destroyed me,” Turner told the crowd at the Washington Hilton. “If I did not have my faith in Christ, I would not be standing before you this morning.”

Turner, who also serves as an associate pastor at Prestonwood Church in Texas, recalled the painful day when his family fell apart. But in that moment of confusion and heartbreak, God planted a dream that anchored him.

“As I saw this devastating breakup of my family, God dropped a dream in my heart,” Turner said. “If I did not have faith in Him, if my mama didn’t encourage me to love Jesus, I could have easily given up on that day.”

Instead, Turner looked at his mother and declared, “One day, I’m going to play in the NFL, and I’ll take care of you.”

That dream became a lifeline through years of hardship, moments of doubt, and setbacks that could have easily led him to quit. Turner played college football at the University of Illinois, then went on to play nearly a decade in the NFL as a defensive back with Washington, San Diego, and Denver, fulfilling the promise he made as a child. One of his career highlights came in 2000 when he returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown.

But his journey wasn’t without disappointments. Turner shared how he felt “forgotten” when his college teammates received invitations to the NFL combine while he did not. Yet even in that season, he continued “waiting, trusting the Lord, persevering, [and] keeping my eyes stayed on Him.”

“It all paid off,” Turner told the audience. “By His mercy and providence, He saw me through a blessed nine-year career in the NFL, a stint in the Texas House of Representatives, preaching in pulpits across America, and now standing before you as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.”

Turner emphasized that the hardships he faced were not wasted, calling them “times of preparation that God used to make me who He wanted me to be.”

“I stand before you today as a humble young man, as a result of God’s grace,” he said, reminding the audience that his achievements came “only because of [God’s] grace and His mercy, because of hard work and faith in Him, not through dependence on the government and the taxpayer.”

Now 53, Turner encourages others to embrace the same faith and perseverance that carried him from a broken home to the NFL and into public service.

“It’s that sort of attitude, faith in God, and hard work we want to promote every day,” Turner said, describing the guiding principles behind his leadership at HUD.