Ken & Karen Buckner

When I was 9 years old my mother lead me to understand what salvation was and I asked Jesus to come into my life.  She is a Godly woman who loves me almost as much as God loves me.  I was raised in church and until I went away to college and I attended church with my family as much as possible.  Throughout my 20's and 30's I fell away due to some discouragements in my personal life and my church life.  One day,  my youngest (Michelle 7) asked me "Dad, what is a pastor?".  Well,  I knew I had waited far to long to re-acquaint myself with God.   From that point on it has been my passion to serve Him in everything that I do.

My life since high school has been filled with adventure and I have been blessed.  I have had my share of heart-aches - loosing my dad in 1995 - loosing my wife of 24 years to cancer in 2000, and the subsequent personal and financial trials that followed.  Although I have experienced some troubles (who hasn't?) ...overall, I have been blessed.

However, at 50, there still seemed to be a "missing piece of the puzzle" and I was unable to find my niche- in spite of completing college with a degree in engineering and later, owning and operating my own business.  I continued to follow the path of "doing what I should be doing", rather than "doing what I wanted to be doing".  I really did not know what I wanted to be doing or what I should be doing.

In 2007, I met...fell in love with...and married Karen.  I relocated to Myrtle Beach and we started a life together.  She was just what I needed.  We share a special marriage that is Christ centered and we are determined to keep it that way.  In 2008 we went on a mission trip to Africa with a team from Palmetto Shores Church in Myrtle Beach, SC.   We fell in love with the orphanage there and the mission field in general. We both realized that we had discovered a great love for this work.  I attended our trip in August 2008 primarily to support Karen - not so much because I felt a calling to go, but I did not want her to go by herself. HOWEVER, when I got there, THE CALL came in "loud & clear". From the moment I stepped out the door of the airport in Livingstone, Zambia - until we returned, I felt I was in just the right place - not just a physical new place, but in a place where God really wanted me – and that realization was incredible. My eyes were opened to a new way of looking at the world and I immediately felt a purpose and a desire to be part of what was happening there.

Throughout those 2 weeks I began to see myself in a new light – a way that put me last and God first. Although, this is not a new concept in God's eyes, it became a new realization for me.  I began to understand what it really meant - and to feel it. Since that trip, I have discovered that everything I have experienced in my first 50 years has lead to this moment...and...to this time. Not until this trip to Zambia did I begin to understand this. As long as I can remember, there has been a void or an unclear purpose in my life. I have acquired a "grab-bag" of life's tools - education, skills, talents, interests, experiences, contacts, etc...but with no real focus - until now. While in Africa, I began to see how this collection of average "tools" could be used for a common goal with true purpose- something I could really "sink my teeth into" - and, more importantly a way for God to use me. For the first time in my life I felt I was swimming "downstream".  How pleasant the ride with God (not me) as the pilot ....If I have learned anything, it is that I am incapable of knowing how or where to steer this life that God has entrusted to me on my own.  But with The Master at the helm, the journey is steady and the burden is light.

This coming May, we will embark on a new journey. As we submit to this call, we pray that we represent the good WILL of GOD in everything we do.  It is difficult to leave family, friends, jobs, homes, etc... and travel to a far away land, but just as bees are drawn to honey, we find ourselves equally drawn to this cause - and - we can't wait to see what God has in store for us in Africa.

I humbly covet your prayers!