To Ignatius Leitner, 9, family and faith are not just important, they are maximally so. A freshman who radiates a serene sense of purpose, Leitner talks about their family with affection and genuineness. They speak of a home that’s filled with love, laughter, and lots of forgiveness.
“We fight sometimes,” Leitner said, “but I love them.”
Leitner’s immediate family includes their mom, dad, and two younger siblings. They have a close relationship built on memories like surfing trips inspired by their dad, a native Californian and a lifelong surfer.
“Surfing’s my favorite thing,” Leitner said. “It’s something that really connects us.” That connection goes deeper than waves and surfboards — it’s rooted in faith.
“Faith is foremost in our home,” Leitner said. Even though they don’t attend church anymore, God is still the center of their home through Scripture, prayer, and reflection.
“I pray every night and read my Bible nearly every day,” Leitner said. “It keeps me grounded.”
One of Leitner’s favorite memories is from a summer camp called Kanakuk, where they found a new passion for Christ.
“Before that, I said I was Christian but didn’t really live it,” they said. “That camp showed me a different light. It changed me.”
Leitner’s faith hasn’t just made them more resilient since then, but it has also brought their family together.
Their father is a giant role model — “my best buddy,” in Leitner’s words. They are close, being the only guys in the family. Leitner’s father instilled in them the importance of being tough, nice, and living purposefully.
When it comes to passing on values to their younger sisters, Leitner lives by a simple phrase: “God first, others second, I’m third.” They hope their example helps their sisters grow in faith, too.
Their favorite Bible verse is Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” It’s a reminder, they say, that everyone makes mistakes, but love and forgiveness — human and divine—are always the winners.
For Leitner, religion is not just a creed. It’s a lifestyle — a day-by-day walk with family, love, and God.
