Pastor Allen was appointed to First United Methodist Church-Durant in June of 2022. Allen and his wife Katharine have two sons, Cal and Alex, and one daughter, Molly Grace. He has served United Methodist Churches across Oklahoma for the past 31 years as children, youth, and family minister, and as senior pastor for the past 21 years. He earned his undergraduate degree in Family, Marriage Relations, and Child Development from the University of Central Oklahoma and his Master of Divinity Degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Over the past 32 years, Allen has also worked with children, youth, and young adults in foster care and juvenile justice programs. He has tutored and mentored in juvenile detention centers and alternative schools, and currently serves as a trainer and consultant with the Evolution Foundation and Oklahoma Systems of Care. He leads independent living workshops and training sessions for youth and adults. His work within the church has focused on strengthening churches’ relationships with people at the margins to offer spiritual, emotional, and material resources. As an Oklahoma Foster Care Alum, he often speaks on issues related to the foster care system, shares ways communities can help youth and young adults with behavioral and mental health issues, and shares his personal story. The Church, Teachers, and Mentors had a profound impact on Allen’s journey from foster care into adulthood.
Pastor Allen currently serves as Co-Chair of the State Advisory Team for Oklahoma Systems of Care, Oklahoma UM Local Church Transformation Team, and Dean of Confirmation Camp.
In his free time, Allen enjoys spending time with family, working on cars, and binge-watching streaming services.
