Meet Brian & Karen Shaben
Brian and Karen have always had a heart for people and serving others and have always believed in giving back to their communities. Over the last 30 years, they have supported and volunteered with many organizations in Canada and Asia. They have volunteered with and supported churches, charities, non-profit and community support organizations, as volunteers, financial supporters, and board members, just a few notable organizations include Victory Asia, Victim Services Canada, and Rotary International. Brian and Karen have actively worked in “hands-on” outreach projects in South East Asia for many years, serving in Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Since the inception of World Wide Life Humanitarian Partnership Society in 2015, their projects have been focused on aiding the marginalized Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand.
“One of our early experiences was running a Children’s home at El Shaddai Children’s Home, in Sri Racha, Thailand. We took over the care of this home for a month, working with children whose ages ranged from 4-to 18 years old. We like to call this experience our “Baptism by Fire” into the mission field. We encountered some very challenging situations, yet at the same time, discovered the amazing potential of these kids. That was it, we were changed, and it became clear to us, the true call of our lives. In Brian’s words “We were hooked”. We returned to South East Asia regularly over the next several years, and every time, we left a piece of our hearts behind. As much as we will always love our home and native land, we knew we must listen to the truth in our hearts, and sacrifice that comfortable lifestyle to spend more time in Asia. We must do all we can do to help the most vulnerable youth of Thailand reach that amazing potential that lies within.”
By 2014, it was clear to Brian and Karen that it was time to begin the transition to a new and exciting season. In 2015 World Wide Life Humanitarian Partnership Society was born, and that year they left behind the only lifestyle they’d ever known and their full-time careers to embrace a new adventure! In early 2020, Brian and Karen were invited to membership in Ignite Nations Global network and finalized their ministry credentials with Christian Minister’s Association Canada.
.“It is a true blessing and honour to be included in the membership of Ignite Nations Global, to be aligned with like-minded ministries with a heart for the nations.”