Karen Mulder is a woman of strong faith. The journey that led to her radio show, book and seminars began when she was teaching adult bible study classes. “I found that I had a gift for teaching, and I absolutely loved it,” she recalls.
Wanting to gain a deeper understanding of her faith and further develop her teaching skills, she entered Western Theological Seminary after her sons were grown. She had a particular interest in pastoral care, which began when she was discussing Luke 13 in a women’s Bible study class she was teaching. “It’s where Jesus sees the woman who’s all bent over and hasn’t been able to stand straight for 18 years,” explains Karen. “I asked these women, ‘When have you felt like that— maybe not physically, but mentally, spiritually or emotionally—when you were so bent over it was hard to face the day…?’
“As they shared their stories with me, I also asked them, ‘During that period, what did someone say or do that helped you the most?’ And they had such down-to-earth wisdom about how people cared for them, that it all just started to click: This is information everybody needs! We’re surrounded by people who are going through various crises; we’re all called to care for those who are hurting.”
And that’s how Wisdom of the Wounded began. Karen graduated from the seminary in 1991 and “The Compassionate Congregation,” was published in 2002. In 2011 she began her radio show.
“I’m humbled by it all,” says Karen, about the path she feels God has chosen for her. “My guide through life has always been Genesis 12:2, which is, ‘Blessed to be a blessing.’ That’s how I feel.”
What’s most satisfying to her is knowing that her work is truly helping people care for individuals who are hurting. “I can hardly wait to get up in the morning and get going,” she says with characteristic zeal. “I only wish there were more hours in the day.”
