Family Focus
A family growing to love God's Word
February 15, 2010
Hope is like family for Raymond and Priya Turner. Their son, Elijah Young (7th grade) has been here since kindergarten, as have daughters Reyianna Turner (4th) and Jahnyiya Turner (2nd). (Pictured: Elijah, Priya, Reyianna, and Jahnyiya.)
Strong academics are nice, but Raymond and Priya say it is the Christian setting that keeps their family on track.
“When we have Bible time at home,” Priya says, “I start by asking what they did in worship time or Bible class.”
Raymond and Priya can’t afford other private schools, but even if they could they would never leave Hope.
“Believe me,” she says with a smile, “it is the only Christian school that we can afford.”
She sees a big difference in her kids—especially Elijah.
“My friends say he has a level of honor and respect that is different,” she says. “And his attitude toward correction is so different from his nephews and neighbors.”
“He loves Bible class, and he loves the Lord so much,” she says, “He always wants to give God the glory.”
His passion for sharing his faith started by going on prayer walks in fifth grade. Among other things, Elijah is interested in being a preacher or a missionary.
Pastor Gillespie—Elijah’s Bible teacher and himself a preacher—says Elijah has the natural gifts for it.
“He has leadership and speaking gifts, and he loves the Word of God,” Gillespie says, “God just might call him to preach.”
Priya’s own faith has been strengthened by the Hope mom’s Bible study.
“I think I’ve only missed five times since it started back in 2003,” she said.
“These women are a positive influence,” she says, “I can trust them, and I’m not the only one with issues.”
Raymond also recently started coming to the Hope Men’s Pancake Breakfasts.
“I’m enjoying it,” Raymond says, “I like interacting with other dads.”
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