CITATION:
For three years, he worked as a business office manager of the hospital in Georgia and returned to school to focus on finishing a medical degree in Colorado. In Colorado, he was introduced to Walla Walla University, where he was persuaded by friends and conference leadership to take theology and go into pastoral ministry. One year before finishing his theology and biblical languages classes, he was called to be an assistant pastor.
Dr. Allen, having over 39 years of pastoral experience, began his full-time ministry in Upper Columbia conference where he served as pastor, church planter, evangelist and the first assistant to the President for Hispanic Ministries.
During his tenure, 17 new Hispanic churches were established in the Upper Columbia Conference. Allen had the honor and privilege to lead in the building of the first new church building for Hispanic in the North Pacific Union. He also was the first Hispanic conference evangelist to serve in the Upper Columbia Conference. Part of his journey was recorded in the book "The Untold Story."
Pastor Allen also served the church in several other countries: Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Tanzania.
Pastor Allen believed in a well-trained lay membership to help lead, grow and support the local churches and their pastor. With the help of the support of Andrews University, he began the lay advisory seminar and Lake Region Conference seminar. This seminar is a six-to-eight-month training for our pastors and lay leaders starting ministry in the regional work.
Pastor Allen saw the need for the Hispanic congregation to have voice and representation in the regional work, as well as the NAD. So, he proposed Hispanic leaders of the regional conferences to organize a Hispanic Caucus to represent the more than 20,000 Hispanic members in the regional work. He was key in leading and developing its name, mission, objectives, functions, statements of principles, relationships and the executive board.
In addition to his many responsibilities, he served and was elected as their first president. Pastor Allen is also a member of several committees in the Lake Union, NAD and Lake Region conferences.
Dr. Allen's leadership mantra includes, shine a light, don't cast a shadow on the pathway of others. Expect the unexpected, not forgetting that you are God's highest priority.
He loves reading, learning about different cultures from around the world, traveling and photography. Dr. Allen's family includes his lovely wife, Lordius Allen, who is retired nurse. And they are the proud parents to two daughters, Esther and Leah and their son, Eddie Allen, Jr.
ALLEN'S RESPONSE:
Thank you. What can I say but heartfelt thanks. I'd like to begin by saying I never dreamed of becoming a pastor. I fell into it by accident, literally, because a young theology major--and please don't hold it against me--I'm a Walla Walla University graduate. But then secretary [Upper Columbia Conference], Elder Jere Patzer came looking for a young man, who forgot his appointment and seeing me, and he said, "Do you speak Spanish?" And I thought, "Talk to that woman over there." It was my wife. After that, he called me to help in the Pendleton, Oregon church as an assistant.
Well, two years after that, I got so frustrated, I wrote him a letter. I said, "I'm tired of these crazy, crazy members. I was not called to be a pastor." He showed up on my doorstep that Sunday, and he invited me out for breakfast, and I still remember talking with him. He said, "You think it's hard. Try to put up with crazy pastors like all of you." What could I say? I'm sorry that he passed away so young. I don't know if some of you knew Dr. Jere Patzer--wonderful mentor.
And in finishing, I've had the wonderful privilege of working with some amazing conference leadership pastors, as well. I like to tease when I'm meeting with other conferences, that I believe that the best pastors that we have are in the Lake Region Conference in the NAD.
Lake Union Herald staff
