Tim and Karen met while volunteering for Young Life in Tampa, Florida. They dated for a year and were married on May 11, 1985. That summer Karen started as the Director of Youth Ministry and Young Life Church Partner at the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church in Tampa while Tim finished his first year at the University of South Florida. Tim was Karen’s part-time helper.
Three years later after Tim graduated from USF, they felt a call to serve together in full-time ministry, so they accepted a call as Co-Directors of Youth Ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Amarillo, Texas. It was during their time in Amarillo that God first sparked a sense of call to seminary and ordained ministry. However, before they went to seminary, God called them back to Florida to serve as Co-Directors of Youth Ministry and Young Life Church Partners at the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale.
The Harrisons’ left Fort Lauderdale to spend a summer in Colorado to manage the Base Camp for Young Life’s Wilderness Ranch. The camp is located at 10,000 feet in southwest Colorado. They returned two summers later to intern at “The Ranch” as part of the seminary internship requirements. The summers at the ranch (3 in all) were very formative in the way Tim and Karen understand God’s call to ministry.
In the Fall of 1992, the Harrisons attended Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. It was a rich and blessed experience with many challenges. God was gracious in providing an instant community of great friends who were an important part of their three years in Princeton. Karen was definitely the better student and made better grades. Tim was a “good student” and was involved in many different activities, and at one point had six part-time jobs! One extra-curricular highlight for Tim was his time as an assistant coach with the Men’s Soccer team for Princeton University. 
After graduating from Princeton, Tim and Karen were called to Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church in Spokane, Washington to serve as Co-Pastors with Youth and Their Families. In addition, Tim and Karen taught in the Certificate of Ministry program at Whitworth College. It was during this time in Spokane that God greatly blessed Karen and Tim with their son “Noah”.
After 6+ years in Spokane, God said “back to New Jersey!” Tim and Karen accepted a call as Co-Pastors at Clinton Presbyterian Church in Clinton, NJ. Clinton Presbyterian church is an exciting family of faith! Furthermore, Clinton shatters any pre-conceived ideas about New Jersey. It is a wonderfully warm and beautiful small town. Tim walks downtown to fly-fish several afternoons a week during the season, and Noah walks to a fantastic school. Tim and Karen have been the Co-Pastors since the fall of 2001. Some of the highlights of ministry in Clinton:
1. Hiring the first full-time Youth Director.
2. Church-wide 40 Days of Purpose, 40 Days of Community, and Come Thirsty series.
3. Remodeling the Sanctuary (Chancel), offices, nursery and Sunday School rooms.
4. Women’s Ministry: Beth Moore, Retreats, bible studies, women of Faith.
5. Life Transformation Groups (small discipleship groups)
6. New “Informal” (contemporary?) service.
7. Tremendous growth in Adult Education participation.
8. 14 Princeton Seminary Interns now serving the PC(USA).
9. Restoring the Pipe organ (almost finished!)
10. Celebrating 175th Anniversary of the Clinton Presbyterian Church.
Interesting and little known facts about Tim and Karen:
1. Karen was a star performer on the Florida State Flying High Circus. She flew on the trapeze and did several other acts. They even have a video of a 1981 ESPN special highlighting her amazing talents!
2. Tim played one (exhibition) game with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, a professional soccer team from the old NASL.
3. Karen’s undergraduate degree is in accounting, which is a very helpful gift when helping manage a church.
4. Tim’s undergraduate degree is in Secondary Education, but he had over a year of nursing school in a Registered Nursing program.
5. Karen has run three marathons: Dallas White Rock, Miami, and the New York Marathon. Her goal for New York was to beat 4 hours, and she came in at 3:59:56. Do not question Karen’s determination! She still runs 4-5 days a week.
6. Tim coached high school soccer in Tampa, Amarillo, Fort Lauderdale, Spokane, and college soccer at Princeton University (Division 1) and Whitworth College (Division 3). However, the pinnacle of his soccer career has been coaching Noah's U-10 travel team!
7. Karen completed her first certification with the American Association of Christian Counselors and is almost finished with two other certifications. Tim is finishing his dissertation towards earning a Doctorate in Worship Studies.
