Karen Keagy

Karen was raised in the Amazon jungles of Peru, the 7th child of Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT), Wes and Eva Thiesen, who translated the New Testament for the Boras. After graduating from Yarinacocha High School, Karen returned to the USA to attend college in Oklahoma, receiving her BA in Elementary Education from Oral Roberts University.

Karen met Barry Keagy in college and they were married in December 1987. The Keagys made their home in Colorado for five years, where Karen taught at Springs of Life Christian School.  In 1993, they left Colorado Springs to work as Short-Term Assistants with WBT in Peru.  Barry worked in the accounting office and Karen taught missionary children.  Their commitment of one year turned into five and Karen ultimately served as the Yarinacocha School principal.

After a one-year furlough, Barry and Karen returned to Peru as full-time members.  Karen continued teaching missionary kids and served as center hostess. In 2004, they oversaw the closing of that mission center and moved to Lima to take on oversight of the translation work in Peru, this time serving together in that role. Karen continued language program oversight for six years, traveling around Peru regularly to interact with the linguistic teams. She has also worked in Training, Church Engagement, and Professionalization. Barry returned to Finance where he served as Director of Finance until leaving the field in 2014.

The Keagys had the joy of seeing 24 New Testaments completed and dedicated during their 21 years in Peru.

They have three children, Lukas (34), Lynea (32) and Levi (28). All three children are now married and have given them their nine wonderful grandchildren. 

Karen helps out in various departments at the Wycliffe Headquarters, where Barry serves as the Director of Corporate Accounting.  In her free time, she loves to study God’s Word, hike, garden, play piano, arrange flowers, cook Peruvian food and challenge young people to live wholeheartedly for God!