Today’s Leader of Faith
KAREN WATSON, MARTYR
Home Call : 15 March 2004
Brave Missionary, Humanitarian
Karen Watson (1965–2004) was a Southern Baptist missionary to Iraq, serving on humanitarian grounds. She left behind all riches to serve the Lord, choosing sacrifice over comfort. When no one was willing to serve during wartime in Iraq she willingly volunteered to go as a missionary. While aiding the sick, she was ambushed and killed alongside three fellow missionaries. She exemplified faith, courage, and unwavering obedience to God’s call, leaving a powerful legacy of selfless service and love for Christ. Before embarking on her mission, Karen wrote a letter to her pastor, to be read only in the event of her death. In it, she expressed her deep commitment to God’s calling: “When God calls, there are no regrets. I wasn’t called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward.”
Watson was born in 1965 in Bakersfield, California. She grew up in a Christian family and accepted Christ as her Savior when she was going through a severe personal crisis. Her faith became the foundation of her life, and she dedicated herself to serving others. At her church, she conducted Bible study classes for youth and children, actively sharing the gospel. As her desire to serve deepened, Karen began participating in short-term gospel campaigns in El Salvador, Mexico, Macedonia, and Kosovo. These experiences ignited a greater passion within her for missionary work. Eventually, she made a life-changing decision to leave her well-paying job as a Jail Officer and join the International Mission Board (IMB). Determined to follow God’s calling, she sold her house and all her worldly possessions, preparing herself for full-time ministry.
In 2003, Watson arrived in Mosul, Iraq, at a time when America was at war with Iraqi terrorists. She devoted herself to humanitarian aid in the war zones, using every opportunity to share the love of Christ. She worked tirelessly to restore schools that had been closed due to the war and began informally teaching children. Despite the constant threats and dangers, Karen remained lively, compassionate, and full of faith. The local Christians in Iraq affectionately called her ‘Tabitha’, likening her to the biblical woman known for her good works.
On March 15, 2004, Watson, along with three other missionaries, was traveling to provide humanitarian aid when their vehicle was ambushed by gunmen. The attackers opened fire with assault weapons, killing Karen and her fellow missionaries. Her life continues to be a shining example of what it means to follow Christ without reservation.