And All of God's People Said...AmenThe common refrain at Southern Baptist churches across the country seems particularly appropriate as this university says farewell to a Baptist legend. With retirement on the horizon, 80 year-old Dr. Dale Allen reflects on his storied career at MBU, not to mention the colossal impact he's made in Missouri Baptist life in general.  Twenty-three years ago, Dr. Dale Allen drove onto the campus of then-Missouri Baptist College and began a career that in itself has made a pronounced impact in thousands of peoples' lives. "Dale Allen's life is permanently woven into the rich tapestry that is Missouri Baptist University," said Dr. R. Alton Lacey, MBU president. "His influence will live on in the legions of students that he has taught and mentored." And while the professor of Bible's mark at this institution has indeed been undeniably profound, it's but a chapter in a remarkable career that began when Dale Allen was just 15 years old. After accepting Christ following a sermon at First Baptist Church of St. John at the age of 12, Allen nearly immediately felt called into the ministry. By 15 years of age, Allen's father was regularly driving him to area churches so that the young man could lead congregations in revival. At that time, he led music while his friend preached the sermon."Well, we traveled most weekends, but my dad wouldn't let me drive the car very often," reminisced Allen as he chatted in his jovial yet precisely detailed manner-a signature characteristic of Allen that those who know him come to expect during any given conversation. During one of his revivals, he met a young lady who would later become his wife-and his life's joy. This July, Allen and his wife, Anna, will celebrate 60 years of marriage. The couple has three daughters, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. "Among other things, Dr. Allen is a godly example of how to love your wife and how to cherish her," said Mike Brockmeier, '02, who studied under Allen. "I am so grateful for his influence on my marriage." Brockmeier, currently a youth pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Edwardsville, Ill., eventually married one of Dr. Allen's student assistants, Julie Seal, '02. The beginning of Allen's marriage coincided with his first full-time pastorate at Concordia Baptist Church, located about an hour east of Kansas City. He also was the pastor of Flag Springs Baptist Church. Perhaps the highlight-and certainly the lengthiest-of his ministry pre- MBU began in 1957 inside a house in West St. Louis County. It was there that Parkway Baptist Church was born. The mission of Hanley Road Baptist Church in Clayton, Mo., called Allen to be its first pastor. The church met on the first floor of the house. The Allen's lived upstairs. The church's stint in the house proved to be short lived. As the leader of Parkway, the church flourished from a handful of members to a congregation of more than 800. Allen led his congregation in several successful capital campaign projects, resulting in the church's current campus located prominently on the corner of Olive and Ross streets. It was during his time at Parkway that Allen completed his master's and doctoral work. He also became heavily involved in the Missouri Baptist Convention, serving on numerous committees including the Convention's Executive Board. He resigned from his position at Parkway after 23 years, perhaps ironically the same amount of time Allen would later spend working as a professor at this institution. Despite his varying roles and ultimate calling to teach future church leaders, his mission has never wavered. "The word I would use to describe Dr. Allen is immutable. He's unchangeable," said Shirley Burton, '94. "He loves the Lord and professes everywhere he goes. "This institution will greatly miss Dr. Allen. There is only one Dale Allen." Allen ultimately was called as a full-time faculty member at MBU after his longtime mentor and MBC Bible professor, Dr. William Luther Muncy, passed away. MBU's Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Arlen Dykstra, hired Allen. It's a decision he credits as one of the smartest of his tenure at MBU. "He is a true man of God," said Dykstra. "Dr. Dale Allen is Christianity at its best, and that has always transcended into the classroom." During his tenure at MBU, Allen has held varying official roles including chairman of the humanities division, director of in-service ministries and professor of Bible (the latter two he still holds today). His unofficial roles with this institution have too been great. For years, Allen has read the Christmas story at the University's annual Lighting of the Greens ceremony, a longstanding tradition that annually occurs as a way to kick-off Christmas season. He's also for years spent his summers traveling the state, talking with pastors, most of whom he's come to know well over the years, about the state of this institution. Dr. Allen's influence in the classroom prompted Brad Laubinger, '99, to ask Allen to officiate his wedding. Laubinger, now a pastor at a Baptist church in Kentucky, said the wisdom Allen imparted inside the classroom helps him professionally to this day. "Not only was he doctrinally and theologically sound, he was also very practical," Laubinger said. "He always gave us very good applicable information about everything from how to deal with deacons to visitation. I still use information gained inside his classroom to this day." Allen made such an impact in Laubinger's life that he was the first person Laubinger called last year after pondering who would best lead a church-wide conference on spiritual growth. Allen gladly accepted. Allen receives-and accepts-a lot of similar requests these days. In fact, most weekends he's filling pulpits in churches across the state. He plans to continue, perhaps even increase, that role once he moves to his new home in Southwest Missouri. Allen and his wife are building a house on the Ozark, Mo., campus of the Baptist Home. The time he now spends sharing the Gospel in area churches is, in some ways, strikingly similar to the early days of his ministry. Regardless of the capacity in which Allen has served, his life-long goal has and continues to be the same: "My hope is that everything I do glorifies Christ," Allen said. "Some days, I fall short, but that is and always will be my goal." |
