About the Turners

Jessie Turner

I am the Turner missionary currently on the field long-term. I am serving the Lord with Iris Ministries in Pemba, Mozambique; that's in Africa on the southeastern coast. Our base is across the street from the Indian Ocean. My job is to be one of the overseers of the Children's Home. We have over 180 children. I help the staff to manage the daily activities of the children and help to meet the needs of staff and children.

Here is a little of my background. I grew up as the youngest of three siblings. When I was 3 years old I prayed to "follow Jesus." I attended 1st grade at a Christian school. When the school closed I wanted to be homeschooled like many of my friends. I homeschooled through high school. I never really wanted to go to another school. Between my junior and senior year of high school I went on a missions trip to Malawi with Teen Missions International. I spent only 5 weeks in Africa, but it had captured my heart. When I came home I cried for weeks because I wanted to go back so badly.

After I graduated from high school I worked in a day care center. My heart wasn't satisfied though. I knew there was more for me, and I knew I had to return to my beloved continent of Africa. On my journey for my destiny I decided to go to the ministry school at my church, Life Center. I attended their two year Joshua School. Through the Joshua School I went to Ethiopia twice. Upon my graduation in May 2005 I was still seeking for direction. That summer I went on an extended missions trip to Mexico. In December of 2005 I was released to go to Pemba. I actually spent my Christmas there. What a great gift God gave me. Dens e grande, no? (God is big, isn’t He?)

Josham Turner

I grew up in a Christian home. I attended a Christian school for two years and then I was homeschooled through highschool. During the summer between my junior and senior year I went on a missions trip with Teen Missions International to Nampula, Mozambique. While there I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me as I looked up and saw an airplane fly overhead. He said that someday that would be me.

During my senior year of high school my parents apprenticed me to an auto mechanic. While working with him I discovered that I liked working with engines. Combined with my experience in Mozambique I decided to go to school to be an airplane mechanic. I graduated from the PA College of Technology with an Associate Degree in Aviation Mechanics in August 2002.

I worked in the industry for over 2 years. I also earned my private pilot's license. Then I had a wonderful opportunity to go to Pemba, Mozambique to work with Iris Ministries begining in December 2005. While there I was the overseer of the construction crew. I returned home in October 2007 to continue to upgrade my pilot's license so I can fulfill my dream to be a missionary pilot. I am currently studying at a flight school in Vero Beach, FL.

John & Karren Turner

I (Karren) grew up in a non-Christian home in southeastern PA. Since my mother had a hunger for God my siblings and I went to a traditional church with her. I loved the liturgical service there as I was seeking to know God. It gave me a sense of security to know what pleased God and how to relate to Him. However, since I could not keep the Laws of God, I was caught in the cycle of sin and striving to be good.

When I was 15, I met people who were born-again Christians, and I saw how they loved one another. Since I was God-friendly I attended their meetings. I soon realized that they had a personal relationship with God. At that point I surrendered control of my life to Jesus and received Him as both Lord and Savior of my life.

I (John) grew up in northeastern PA in the rural area outside of Wilkes-Barre. When I was 13 my family moved to a "big city" in southeastern PA. My family background was totally non-religious. I did not know that Jesus was a literal person until I was in my teens. After I graduated from high school I met Karren and started attending Young Life meetings with her. There I learned about the Bible and the man Jesus, who came to earth to reveal God to us. It didn't take long after that for me to realize that I needed a Savior. I too surrendered control of my life to Jesus.

Two years later Karren graduated from high school, started college, and we were married. For about five years we attended a house church. The people who discipled us had a meeting in their home for young people just about every Friday night for ten years. There we grew in our faith and understanding of God.

Later we joined a Baptist Church where we grew in our knowledge of the Bible and served as deacons and Sunday school teachers. After ten years we left to attend a charismatic church. We continued as Sunday school teachers and deacons. Eventually we were involved in the leadership of the church as well. In 1995 we became involved in the movement of the Holy Spirit that flowed from the move of God in Toronto. In 1996 we were involved in renewal meetings being held in Philadelphia with Randy Clark of Global Awakening.

We have been ministering inner healing, deliverance, and blessing since 1988. Currently we are both prayer ministers in Healing the Heart Ministries at our local church, Life Center Ministries International in Harrisburg, PA. We are also very involved in the ministry team and prayer concentrations at Life Center.

Isaiah 61:1-4 is the Biblical mandate that describes our ministry.


Home About the turners Jessie's update Josham's update John & Karren's update Photo gallery Prayer requests Links Contact us Make a donation	About the Turners Jessie Turner I am the Turner missionary currently on the field long-term. I am serving the Lord with Iris Ministries in Pemba, Mozambique; that's in Africa on the southeastern coast. Our base is across the street from the Indian Ocean. My job is to be one of the overseers of the Children's Home. We have over 180 children. I help the staff to manage the daily activities of the children and help to meet the needs of staff and children. Here is a little of my background. I grew up as the youngest of three siblings. When I was 3 years old I prayed to "follow Jesus." I attended 1st grade at a Christian school. When the school closed I wanted to be homeschooled like many of my friends. I homeschooled through high school. I never really wanted to go to another school. Between my junior and senior year of high school I went on a missions trip to Malawi with Teen Missions International. I spent only 5 weeks in Africa, but it had captured my heart. When I came home I cried for weeks because I wanted to go back so badly. After I graduated from high school I worked in a day care center. My heart wasn't satisfied though. I knew there was more for me, and I knew I had to return to my beloved continent of Africa. On my journey for my destiny I decided to go to the ministry school at my church, Life Center. I attended their two year Joshua School. Through the Joshua School I went to Ethiopia twice. Upon my graduation in May 2005 I was still seeking for direction. That summer I went on an extended missions trip to Mexico. In December of 2005 I was released to go to Pemba. I actually spent my Christmas there. What a great gift God gave me. Dens e grande, no? (God is big, isn’t He?) Josham Turner I grew up in a Christian home. I attended a Christian school for two years and then I was homeschooled through highschool. During the summer between my junior and senior year I went on a missions trip with Teen Missions International to Nampula, Mozambique. While there I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me as I looked up and saw an airplane fly overhead. He said that someday that would be me. During my senior year of high school my parents apprenticed me to an auto mechanic. While working with him I discovered that I liked working with engines. Combined with my experience in Mozambique I decided to go to school to be an airplane mechanic. I graduated from the PA College of Technology with an Associate Degree in Aviation Mechanics in August 2002. I worked in the industry for over 2 years. I also earned my private pilot's license. Then I had a wonderful opportunity to go to Pemba, Mozambique to work with Iris Ministries begining in December 2005. While there I was the overseer of the construction crew. I returned home in October 2007 to continue to upgrade my pilot's license so I can fulfill my dream to be a missionary pilot. I am currently studying at a flight school in Vero Beach, FL. John & Karren Turner I (Karren) grew up in a non-Christian home in southeastern PA. Since my mother had a hunger for God my siblings and I went to a traditional church with her. I loved the liturgical service there as I was seeking to know God. It gave me a sense of security to know what pleased God and how to relate to Him. However, since I could not keep the Laws of God, I was caught in the cycle of sin and striving to be good. When I was 15, I met people who were born-again Christians, and I saw how they loved one another. Since I was God-friendly I attended their meetings. I soon realized that they had a personal relationship with God. At that point I surrendered control of my life to Jesus and received Him as both Lord and Savior of my life. I (John) grew up in northeastern PA in the rural area outside of Wilkes-Barre. When I was 13 my family moved to a "big city" in southeastern PA. My family background was totally non-religious. I did not know that Jesus was a literal person until I was in my teens. After I graduated from high school I met Karren and started attending Young Life meetings with her. There I learned about the Bible and the man Jesus, who came to earth to reveal God to us. It didn't take long after that for me to realize that I needed a Savior. I too surrendered control of my life to Jesus. Two years later Karren graduated from high school, started college, and we were married. For about five years we attended a house church. The people who discipled us had a meeting in their home for young people just about every Friday night for ten years. There we grew in our faith and understanding of God. Later we joined a Baptist Church where we grew in our knowledge of the Bible and served as deacons and Sunday school teachers. After ten years we left to attend a charismatic church. We continued as Sunday school teachers and deacons. Eventually we were involved in the leadership of the church as well. In 1995 we became involved in the movement of the Holy Spirit that flowed from the move of God in Toronto. In 1996 we were involved in renewal meetings being held in Philadelphia with Randy Clark of Global Awakening. We have been ministering inner healing, deliverance, and blessing since 1988. Currently we are both prayer ministers in Healing the Heart Ministries at our local church, Life Center Ministries International in Harrisburg, PA. We are also very involved in the ministry team and prayer concentrations at Life Center. Isaiah 61:1-4 is the Biblical mandate that describes our ministry.

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