Karen has been the Director of the Institute for Prison Ministries (IPM) since 2005.  As Director, she oversees the Charles W. Colson scholarship program at Wheaton College and pursues the goals of IPM through collaborations networks and strategic partnerships that provide leadership and training to those engaged in correctional ministries for the advancement of the Gospel.

Karen began her correctional ministry by teaching in the Life Learning Program at the Cook County Jail.  She also served three years as the Executive Director of Life House Ministries, a Christ-centered reentry program.  She continues to serve in jails and prisons and on a reentry ministry board of directors.  

Karen serves as faculty in the Christian Formation and Ministry Department at Wheaton College and teaches courses in correctional ministry.  She earned her doctorate from Northern Illinois University in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum Leadership.  Karen is co-author of Coming Home! A Guide for Those Receiving a Loved One Back from Prison or Jail, the fifth booklet in the IPM Library series.

Dave has long supported the program as a mentor of Colson scholars, and has joined IPM in this position.  He is responsible for the mentoring/accountability aspect of the Colson Scholarship Program for Exoffenders and is enlisting assistance from a group of godly men.  "Currently there is a lot of talk and movement toward 'post-prison' ministry," Dave reflects.  "This is a much needed emphasis.  Much of our energy and resources have gone toward prison ministry, not always taking into account the large number of men and women who are released each year."