Karen Keen works in Student Affairs at the University of California, Santa Cruz. In 2004, she founded Campus Ministries Fellowship at UC Santa Cruz to unite campus Christian clubs in prayer and collaborative outreach. Through active involvement with the local chapter of Veritas Forum, she has organized student dialogue on topics of faith and culture, including Palestinian/Israeli reconciliation and social justice.

Karen is a leader in the house church Gathering By the Bay and enjoys teaching and writing on biblical/theological issues. She is passionate about prayer and has taught on the practice of prayer, as well as served as prayer coordinator for various ministries. Additionally, she speaks and counsels on the Church's redemptive response to the gay and lesbian community.

Karen has a MS in education (counseling) from Western Oregon University and a MA in exegetical theology from Western Seminary. She welcomes conversation with others about the Christian life on her blog.

Read Karen's Gifted for Leadership articles:

– "World-Changing Politics" (July 5, 2008)

– "Engaging in 'Sustained Dialogue'" (January 18, 2008)

– "Food for Thought" (October 21, 2007)

– "Why Forgiveness Works" (September 4, 2007)

– "Impasse to Action" (June 26, 2007)