Kirk and karen Lehner
We, Kirk and Karen, want nothing more in life than to know and love God more each day. We are passionate about the Word of God and the need we all have to know and live God's Word. We love the church and believe this is the heart of God ... to see his body mature and change into His image more each day.
We have both had spouses die to cancer and by God's grace have been given an amazing opportunity, not only to have someone to love, but also the rare gift of a partner in life who is passionate to do ministry together. We were married in late 2020 and now have a combined total of eight children. We moved to Tennessee in late 2021 to start new lives and a new ministry together.
We have a total of over 40 years of counseling experience between us.
Kirk Lehner, D.Min, Th.M., M.Div., M.A.
Education & Experience
Kirk received a BA in Pulpit Communications from Tennessee Temple University. He then went on to earn his M.Div from Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. After beginning full time ministry as a Missions and Youth Pastor he went on to complete his Th.M. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Virginia Beach and his Doctor of Ministry from Baptist Bible Seminary in Clarks Summit, PA.
Following 15 years of pastoral ministry he moved with his family overseas to train Chinese house church pastors for several years before returning to the States. He pursued his Masters in Biblical Counseling when he returned to America and is completing the Thesis for this degree now.
Interests & Specialties
Kirk has been involved in teaching and training at many colleges and seminaries over his time in ministry. He loves teaching God's Word and focusing on discipleship and training others for pursuing God and ministry.
Since returning to America Kirk has also been a Police officer, Police chaplain, Police counselor, and involved in training police officers for counseling related issues.
Karen Lehner, M.Th., M.A.
Education & Experience
Karen has a B.A. in Business Administration from University of Iowa. She had a very successful career in the logistics industry. She attended church all through her childhood and falsely believed she was a good person going to heaven, but she did not have a saving faith. It wasn't until the age of 40 that the Lord, in His mercy and grace granted repentance and faith and she submitted her life to Christ in salvation.
Salvation brought to Karen an intense passion to know God and know Truth. As a mother of three elementary age children she completed a Masters in Theological Studies from University of Northwestern–St. Paul. Her ministry work and counseling led her to pursue a Masters in Biblical Counseling from Faith Seminary in Lafayette, IN and soon after she was brought on staff at her church as the Director of Discipleship Counseling in order to develop and oversee their new counseling ministry.
Karen is ACBC (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors) certified and is committed to ongoing counseling training each year to continue growing and learning in her ministry skills. She is a long time partner serving the counseling needs at a large Christian Women's Shelter and is a founding board member serving on the board of the Biblical Counseling Alliance.
Interests & Specialties
Karen has not only established herself as a competent and experienced Biblical Counselor, but is active in many church ministries including mentoring, discipling, teaching, training, and regular blog writing for her church as well as ACBC.
In addition to her passion for helping others grow to love God, she cherishes time with her new husband and children, loves a good cup of coffee and a conversation, enjoys exercise, sushi, reading the Puritans, and can't get enough of beautiful sunsets.
