Women Who Inspire: Karen Ford – Are you prepared and ready?

By Cyndi Kay Green

In a rural town in Northeastern Oklahoma sits a non-denominational church called New Life Church. In the leadership of this congregation is a woman who has stood in her faith while learning to navigate the journey of being a Pastor’s wife. This is her inspiring story of leading as she walks beside the women of NLC. On behalf of Christian Women Living Magazine, I was privileged to interview one of the most inspiring women in my early Christian walk with Jesus.

Karen Ford lives in Stilwell, OK with her husband Max, who is the Senior Pastor at NLC. They have two boys and one girl, who have all grown-up and ventured into life as adults. Karen says she is “still adjusting to having an empty nest.” Not only do they have two boys, but each son has brought a “bonus daughter” to her life and even two granddaughters. Not being one to be in the spot light, Karen’s favorite pastimes are running, biking, reading and crafting.

At a small country church, while a group of singers were ministering, a young, 7yr old Karen accepted Christ as her Savior. She wanted what the singers had. She wanted that joy and light that they possessed so she too could have a testimony and a message of love to share. So, she made the decision to follow Christ. The years went by and though she had been saved, her life was not exactly centered around Christ. It was when she was in her 30’s and at a revival at church that God truly revealed himself to her in ways that opened her eyes to see God for who He truly is. “I honestly felt like Saul when the scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight.” It was during this same revival, that her husband, Max, would also experience a revelation and confirmation that would forever change their lives. God was calling Max to pastor which meant Karen was also being called into the leadership role of being a Pastor’s wife. Two years later with a few other people, a church was built and the beginning of NLC was erected on a county road. Nineteen years later, Karen and her husband remain there as Senior Pastors.

When asked about a prayer that was answered, Karen recalled the time when she and her husband were facing the decision that would forever change the course of their lives. Once they knew the direction that God was leading them, they began to pray for release from church they were attending in order to begin their ministry as pastors. It was hard for them to leave a church that had been such a big part of her husband’s life. They had started raising a family in this church, yet they both knew God had created a different path for them. Within seven days of starting a time of fasting and praying, the answer they needed came from a minister who had no idea what God had spoken to them. He  spoke a word of release to Karen and her husband. He is ALWAYS faithful to bring you through those times of making decisions. Through pastoring, Karen has realized that her call is to minister to other women by teaching, empowering and uplifting them in a way that they see themselves through the eyes of God. She learned to be transparent and vulnerable in a way that other women knew she would see them and hear their words. She has been able to understand them and because she knows what God has done for her, she knows He can and will do it for them.

One of the most challenging aspect of living the life of a pastor’s wife is finding balance. That balance of whether or not she is doing too much or not enough. She continues to learn a balance in saying too much or too little. Finding balance in keeping a healthy marriage while helping others in the struggle to keep theirs harmonious.  A big area that needs balancing is at home. Making sure home and marriage doesn’t get lost in the ministry. It’s a never-ending process that results in a life that connects God, ministry, marriage, and family in a way that people know she is walking the same journey, just a different pathway. For Karen, one of the most beautiful displays of grace is seeing the act of salvation. To see a person, accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior is something that she will always be moved to be a part of and witness.

Not only does her ministry involve the women in the church, but Karen also reaches out in a jail ministry for women. She began this ministry about six years ago. She calls this the “missing puzzle piece” in her life of ministry. There she has prayed for and spoken to many women who have come to the end of themselves. These women are at rock bottom with little hope. Yet, after months or years have gone by, Karen receives word of how the prayers or words spoken have impacted them in a way that pushed them to turn their lives around. This maintains a fire in her soul. One of the most encouraging things that Karen does and has been doing for thirteen years is sending morning scriptures to various women that she knows along with a word of encouragement. It has truly made a difference in how the women’s lives and gives them courage to face the day, especially when they see a word that fits what you are going through. Her inspiration also comes from the wisdom of others. Among this inspiration is the resilience, character, and acts of love and kindness that some people portray. She is inspired by those who stay when others leave. When others display bravery and courage, and others display grace and mercy, she becomes inspired. She states that she learns so much from watching and listening to others.

The last nineteen years of pastoring have been a learning experience of God’s leading. Through reaching out to the lost and hurting, the broken and bruised, Karen and her husband grown in their ministry and walk. Their ministry may evolve through the changing times, and their methods may not stay the same, but the message doesn’t change. “It’s not about where you have been, it’s about where you are going!”

During these tumultuous times, Karen thinks of the words in Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” (NKJV). Karen believes that the “future can be feared because of the uncertainty it holds.” She knows that she has no idea what the future holds, but she knows where you can find strength, hope, love and peace. When asked about the fear and everything surrounding CoVid-19, Karen stated that “when we panic and act out of fear, we play right into the enemy’s hand. Fear is one of his greatest tools. As Christians, we are given an amazing opportunity to be the voice of reason, hope, peace and love.” She recalled that in Matthew 5:16 (NKJV), we are told “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” Her encouragement to Christians is for the “body of Christ to rise up and be the light of the world, a city set on a hill.”

In her closing and inspiring words to the magazine, Karen stated that “this is an exciting time to be a child of God because we get to be a part of ushering in the return of the Jesus himself!” Her question to us, Christian Women, is “Are you prepared and ready?”