Karen Tchennozian Irvin

Karen first encountered Youth for Christ in Beirut, Lebanon, where she served to love young people for Christ as a trainee, volunteer staff, and then full-time staff as a professional counselor until 2009. Later, her passion for the Body and the great commission led her to serve with Open Doors, where she used her background in mental healthcare to minister to persecuted believers around the world who suffer daily for the sake of the Gospel. Through Open Doors, she had the honor of pioneering and then leading the Trauma Ministry team in the Middle East North Africa region, as well as South East Asia.

Her role also involved and evolved into caring for workers in the midst of their struggles. She witnessed too many workers who had passion for serving God and ministry simply leave the field due to severe burnout, exhaustion, family issues, or conflict. That is when it became her prayer and focus to work alongside workers, churches, and organizations to ensure that workers and organizations are healthy and thriving spiritually, mentally, and physically, so they can fulfill the calling on their lives.

In 2019, Karen took a step back from full-time ministry as God led her to a different season in life: marriage. She now enjoys being Aaron’s wife and partner and is the stepmother to three active boys: Brendan, Aidan, and Gavan. Never a dull moment!

Karen’s love for young people and Youth for Christ never faded. She has loved and supported the work of Youth for Christ for decades. She considers it her life’s honor to return to Youth for Christ to lead the Care team as they work to serve and care for National Directors, their families and staff. Our people are our greatest resource and gift!