Karen Thistlethwaite is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame, Burlingame, CA. She received a BA in Economics & Business from Westmont College and before coming to seminary Karen worked at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in their development office. Karen first heard the call to professional ministry while on a Missions Trip to Jamaica and has been in constant communication with the Holy Spirit on this topic ever since.

During her time in seminary, Karen has interned at Myung Sung Presbyterian Church in Seuol, South Korea, (one of the largest Presbyterian Churches in the world) and Broadmoor Presbyterian Church in Daly City, CA (a smaller energetic older congregation). Karen has also served as a Chaplain Intern at St. Luke's Hospital in San Francisco, CA, while completing one unit of CPE in California Pacific Medical Center's extended unit program.

Committed to serving God in the Bay Area, Karen is seeking an ordained position as an associate pastor. Karen enjoys teaching, preaching, spirituality, pastoral care, children, music, business, and missions work; and looks forward to sharing this next step in her journey of faith with her husband Bryan, family, and friends.