In September 2024, Karen Brown will take over from Paul Valler as Chair of LICC’s Board. In her own words, she’s got ‘big shoes to fill’. But with a background in people management, a commitment to prayerfulness, and a passion for whole-life discipleship, we’re confident she’ll guide our mission with wisdom, humility, and integrity. Read on to find out a little bit more about what brought her to LICC…

Tell us about how you came to know and love Jesus.

I grew up in a Christian home and first made a personal commitment to Jesus on a Pathfinder camp in my early teens. As I journeyed through school and university, my faith started to deepen – I think that’s inevitable as you grapple with big questions and experience the rough and tumble of life. Having graduated and lived with my parents for a few years, I moved to Dulwich and started attending Herne Hill Baptist Church and Saturday morning theology classes at St Mellitus. This was a significant time of spiritual growth for me. I began to appreciate the transformational impact of deep reflection – of being still and waiting upon God – and subsequently trained to be a spiritual director.  That season of life also taught me the importance of being grounded in community with a fellowship of believers. Since then, and following my marriage to Andrew, I’ve been a member at Neighbourhood Church, Beckenham. 

When did you first encounter LICC? 

I didn’t encounter LICC until later in life; I wish that I’d heard about it sooner! But having met Mark Greene and heard about whole-life discipleship at a National Prayer Breakfast, I was hooked. Not long afterwards, I became a Trustee. I think I’m such a champion for the whole-life cause because I want young adults who are just starting out in the working world to realise that their jobs matter to God; in fact, that everything matters to God. And that infuses every day with meaning, identity, and purpose – which is truly amazing.  

You’ve mentioned that everything – including our work – matters to God. Tell us a bit more about your working life. 

Having read geography at the University of Exeter, I trained to be a chartered accountant. It wasn’t really my thing and so I shifted into tax – which, it may surprise you to hear, I enjoyed a lot more! I then side-stepped again, moving into people management and leadership development. My most recent job was at Tearfund, where I was the Director of People and Talent for six years. This role included oversight of HR, professional and organisational development, and talent management. Having stepped down from this role a few months ago, I went on a retreat to Bardsey Island. I sensed God was telling me to ‘tend the soil of my heart’ and ‘not to grasp everything’, but also to prayerfully explore ways in which I could use my experiences to further his kingdom. Following a few conversations, a handful of nudges from people, and a lot of prayer, I applied for the Chair of Trustees position at LICC. The rest, as they say, is history.  

What are you praying for LICC as you take on this role?  

There are both huge opportunities and great challenges. We’re living in a society – and in a world – where dialogue is so often polarised, anxiety and existential concern are the norm, trust has been shattered, the environment is at breaking point, and conflict is closer to home than it has been in decades. It’s a very fraught time, but the kingdom is already here. I believe that, as followers of Jesus, the places, jobs, and contexts in which we find ourselves are no accident – and that, as we join in his work, we will see his peace, love, strength, and justice begin to shape our communities for good and break down the permacrisis our society is experiencing. My prayer is that LICC will continue to speak into this cultural moment – that we’ll wisely and authentically navigate conversations, catalyse a movement within the church that unites rather than divides, and be creative, imaginative, and open to new ideas as we seek to communicate with younger people. And, as we do all of this, that everyone involved with the work of LICC will remain faithful to Scripture – because ultimately, our fruitfulness comes from abiding in the Lord God and nowhere else. 

And finally, if you were going to a desert island, what would you bring? 

Good question! I love poetry. So, without doubt, my book would be a big compendium of poetry in all its different forms. At the moment, I’m particularly enjoying R S Thomas. And, keeping with the poetic theme, the soundtrack I’d take with me would be Vaughan Williams’ beautiful setting of ‘The Lark Ascending’. I’d enjoy both with a glass of chilled champagne – my luxury!  

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Karen was interviewed by Sophie Sanders, LICC’s Marketing & Communications Lead