Both Dan and Diana accepted Christ in their childhood (ages 9 and 10) through the faithful witness of family and a Sunday School teacher.  Both grew up in Maine (south and central areas) and were married in 1982.  Dan farmed with his mother and brothers for 16 years prior to his call to mission work, while Diana worked both in the home and as a hospital nurse. 

Diana had committed her life to missionary service during a CEF summer missionary training program at the age of 15.  At a mission conference in 1995, Dan felt a tug at his heart towards missions, and he accepted a challenge to go on a short-term missions trip to Ecuador.  The Lord used this experience to continue His work and Dan enrolled at NBBI for three years and was an assistant pastor at Knox Ridge Baptist Church during his internship.  Diana completed the Moody Bible Institute’s Independent Study Program.  In 1998 they began their pre-field ministry with the Berean Mission, which is now part of the larger CrossWorld.  They left for language school in Costa Rica in late 2000, and then went to the mission field that God had called them to in early 2002 – Ecuador.

The McKeens have 4 children aged 17 to 23.  Karen, her husband Jake and daughter, Emma, live in West Gardiner, Maine. Amanda is in her second year of study at Lancaster Biible College. Mark is in his thrid year of study at NBBI, and Kevin is attending high school and has been with Dan and Diana in Ecuador.