Singing songs for and about God has always been Karen’s passion. Karen was about ten years old when she sang her first solo in church. By age sixteen while on her first missions’ trip, she sensed God’s call to serve Him in her vocational life, and she believed music would be a significant part of that. So, a year later, Karen enrolled in Summit Pacific College on Canada’s west coast to study sacred music and theology. Karen sang in the college’s a cappella ensemble, and her passion for music ministry grew. Just two weeks before returning for her sophomore year, Karen’s plans changed unexpectedly. Karen’s church hosted a ministry group called “One Accord” from North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was so touched by their ministry and immediately sensed that God was inviting her to change directions—one day, she would be in that same group. Karen accepted God’s invitation and transferred to North Central two weeks later, and, in her junior year, Karen was selected to join “One Accord.” Touring with “One Accord” around the United States and Canada allowed Karen to develop her voice and ministry, and it also provided her with her first recording opportunity. Karen thrived living “on the road” and loved the simplicity of singing and pointing people to Jesus.
The following year, Karen performed as the vocal soloist for the college’s jazz band and had her second brush with recording. After college, she hit the road again—this time as the Tour Manager for the internationally acclaimed African Children’s Choir. After three years with the choir Karen then changed paths and began serving with Campus Crusade for Christ, administrating missions projects and producing videos. Throughout this time, Karen took every opportunity to sing. She participated in her church’s worship choir, sang background vocals on two worship CDs, and even sang in a Nicaraguan prison. For years, Karen has dreamed of recording a solo album “some day,” but after becoming a wife and mother, Karen thought “some day” would probably never come. Nevertheless, the dream did not fade. So, on New Year’s Eve 2006, Karen and her husband, Matt, began praying for an open door and for the necessary people to help make this lifelong dream a reality. After an amazing set of circumstances, in the fall 2008, God finally flew the doors open wide. “Just One Glimpse” resulted, and Karen is so grateful for God’s faithfulness . . . . .
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