The Rev. Dr. Fred A. Allen, national director of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC21), will speak to leaders from multi-racial and African-American congregations in Western PA at a seminar Oct. 31-Nov. 1. It will begin at 3 p.m., Friday, and run through Nov. 1 at the Four Points Sheraton in Cranberry Twp.
The intent is to assist leaders with strengthening churches in Western PA, said the Rev. William B. Meekins, Jr., assistant to the Bishop, who organized the event.
Allen has been a national leader in the United Methodist Church for many years and has been involved in international mission work in several countries, including Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Nicaragua; the United Kingdom, South Africa and six other African countries.
Before assuming the SBC 21 post at the General Board of Discipleship, Allen served seven years at the United Methodist Publishing House as Executive Director of African American Initiatives and International Outreach.
He has more than 39 years of experience as a professional minister, manager, administrator and communicator in Christian institutions including local church pastorates, denominational national program agencies and para-church organizations, and has served in a variety of capacities including board membership for the General Board of Global Ministries, Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Africa Collaboration Team, Commission on the Status and Role of Women, Metropolitan Community Young Adult Training Program, Inc., The Parsons Black Improvement Team, Strengthening The Black Church for the 21st Century, Interagency Global Health Initiative, and the General Commission on Unity and Interreligious Concerns.
A native of Nashville, TN, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN; his Master of Divinity degree, from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University School of Theology.
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