Karen Swift

 Karen Swift: A Story of Calling, Courage, and Grace

Karen’s story begins in Los Angeles, shaped by her Colombian heritage and deeply rooted in her family’s Lutheran faith. From an early age, Karen stood out—curious, articulate, and full of conviction. Her childhood pastor quickly recognized her gifts, especially after she completed confirmation. But his words carried both affirmation and limitation: “What a shame you’re not a man—I could see you in seminary. You can’t be a pastor, but perhaps you could be a missionary.” Though intended with kindness, his comment planted a tension Karen would carry for years—a sense of calling that clashed with the assumptions around her.

As a young woman, Karen excelled academically. At just 19, while studying medieval history, a professor challenged her faith: “You’re so smart—how can you be a Christian?” The question lingered, not just as intellectual curiosity but as a test of identity. Yet Karen did not waver. She knew that wisdom was not just found in books—it was found in the One who authored the greatest story of all.

Her most profound act of witnessing, however, wasn’t in a classroom—it was in her own home. When she met her husband, Steve, he was agnostic. Karen did not preach at him; she lived her faith. Through her steadfast love, quiet strength, and unwavering testimony, Steve came to faith. The gospel was not just something Karen knew—it was something she lived.

A Call to Serve

Karen’s journey took another turn when she moved to San Diego and walked into University Lutheran, where she encountered something she had never known existed—a deaconess. “I wish I had known about this,” she thought. But God was still preparing her.

At Saint Paul Lutheran Church, her calling became clear. A Hispanic family had enrolled their children in the church school, but the parents struggled with the language barrier. When their children joined confirmation class, the mother, Celia, would attend but could not fully understand. Karen was asked to sit with her—to be a bridge.

And that is exactly what she became.

She explained. She translated. She embraced. And through her, Celia and her entire family found a home in the church. Karen realized: This is what I am meant to do. She had spent years seeing the need—Lutheran resources in Spanish, families seeking connection, women longing for biblical teaching in their own language. For a long time, she felt like Jonah—running, resisting.

Until she finally said, “Yes, Lord.”

With her children now growing and leaving for college, it was time to step fully into the calling God had placed on her heart. She enrolled at Concordia Seminary to become a deaconess. Stepping onto that campus for the first time, she was overwhelmed. What a place! A place of intellectual excellence and deep faith. A place where she belonged.

Karen sees herself in the story of Esther. For such a time as this, God has blessed her with opportunities, wisdom, and gifts—not to keep to herself, but to pour out for others. She is here for the women who need guidance, for the families who need a bridge, for the church that longs to embrace all of God’s people.

Priscilla Ministries: A Movement of Discipleship and Outreach

But Karen’s journey does not stop at her own calling. What began as a personal mission has grown into something far bigger—a movement of discipleship and outreach known as Priscilla Ministries / Ministerios Priscilla.

Launched on April 14, 2024, this new faith community is not confined to one church building or neighborhood. It is a network spanning San Diego and Tijuana, bringing Spanish-speaking women and families into deeper discipleship with Christ. Rooted in the belief that every person deserves a space to grow in faith, Priscilla Ministries creates discipleship communities that meet people where they are.

With the support of Lutheran Mission Society San Diego, St. Paul’s Lutheran in Pacific Beach, Hope Lutheran in Linda Vista, and Lutheran Border Concerns, Karen and her team are reaching women who have never set foot in a Lutheran church, who are searching for faith, or who are struggling to navigate spiritual life while raising children in a bilingual world. And the impact is already unfolding.

 Transforming Lives

On May 4, 2024, just weeks after launching, Priscilla Ministries held a women’s retreat at Cristo El Redentor Lutheran Church in Tijuana. What was expected to be a small gathering of 15–20 women turned into a powerful movement of over 100 people from across Baja California. Surrounded by mothers, daughters, and grandmothers, Karen witnessed something extraordinary. One young mother, quiet throughout the sessions, had been listening—soaking in the words, the prayers, the love of a community she never knew she needed. At the end of the retreat, she came forward—not with grand speeches, but with a simple, heartfelt gesture. She handed Karen a napkin. On it, she had sketched Karen leading the retreat—a moment captured forever in the smallest yet most meaningful of gifts. That sketch was more than art. It was a testimony. A reminder that God is working—one life at a time, one heart at a time.

Another group deeply impacted by Karen’s ministry is the Spanish-speaking women of Hope Lutheran Church. Every Sunday, Karen teaches them the Bible, encouraging them in their faith and daily lives. In a season where they have felt overlooked and spiritually adrift, Karen has been a source of strength and guidance, embodying Christ’s love through her servant heart.

A Story Still Being Written

Karen Swift once wondered where she fit in God’s plan. Now, she knows. She is a bridge. A disciple-maker. A witness to Christ’s love among those who need it most.

Through Priscilla Ministries, women are finding their voices, their faith, and their place in the church. Families are being embraced. The Gospel is being proclaimed in homes, small groups, retreats, and in the everyday lives of the people she serves. Karen’s story—her journey from doubt to calling, from fear to faith—is now intertwined with the stories of countless others. God has a place for her in his mission and He has placed her exactly where she is needed—walking alongside those seeking hope, faith, and a deeper relationship with Christ.

The Role of Lutheran Mission Society San Diego

Lutheran Mission Society San Diego has been instrumental in Karen’s journey, providing theological mentoring, leadership development, and support as she discerns and builds her ministry. Their encouragement has helped her refine her vision, connect with resources, and expand her reach to more women in need of discipleship and community.