Ministry Services Coordinator
Kristen grew up in South Carolina and moved to Philadelphia for work and ministry in 1993, building on connections developed through Medical Campus Outreach’s Summer Medical Institute (SMI) while studying Occupational Therapy at the Medical College of Georgia. Kristen worked at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and in community-based early intervention. She is thrilled to see her background as an Occupational Therapist now strengthen her ministry to churches and families living with disability.
Kristen became involved in disability ministry while serving as Nursery Coordinator at Tenth Presbyterian Church. At that time, several children with significant disabilities were born in the same year. With her therapy background and love for these families, she felt compelled to organize ministry to enable these families to continue regular participation in worship and church life. At the same time, she was learning God’s grace in living with disability herself, with adult-onset epilepsy and her young son’s significant developmental disabilities. God used the ministry of Engaging Disability and founding director Stephanie Hubach to help Kristen develop a biblical view of disability and to encourage her in disability ministry at Tenth.
In 2012, Kristen was invited to join Engaging Disability’s team of volunteer Ministry Facilitators. She received training and began supporting other churches in welcoming and enfolding individuals and families living with disability into the life and ministry of the local church. In 2016, she joined the staff team. She encourages and equips churches doing disability ministry and families living with disability through consultations, onsite and online trainings, and resource development.
Kristen lives with her husband, Keith, and their two children in Havertown, PA. She is a member of Proclamation Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr.
Email Kristen at kharnly@pcanet.org to receive ministry updates or learn more about disability ministry.
