THE DIRECTORS Kevin and Karen Hardin first went to China in 1989 to teach English as a second language in the Chinese universities. Over the next seven years they taught English, enrolled in a full-time language institute to learn the Mandarin language, and became national directors of a sending organization providing oversight and training for up to 100 long-term workers each year. In 1996, the Hardinâs returned to the United States to assist the sending agency in their stateside office. Two years later, Kevin was appointed as the Executive Director of this ministry until he resigned in 2001 to tap into an opportunity in China to assist in character training to the Chinese students. Kevin graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1985. He and Karen are both graduates of Victory World Outreach Training Center and Chinese language school.