I’m Allen
If I could, I would invite you to go for a walk with me, somewhere beautiful in nature. There we could talk about life, love, and spirituality. That is why I started this blog.
Professional Background
At the age of 13, I began teaching ‘grown-ups’ how to use their Commodore 64′s and TRS-80 computers. For an extra dollar, I would even fix their Rubik’s cube. I’ve worked with computers ever since.
My specialty was in databases, business intelligence, and making sense of large quantities of data before “Big Data” was a term. I was a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist with certification in Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance. My IT specialties include SQL database administration, business intelligence, and medical imaging services. I have designed and developed business solutions with the IBM Cognos and Microsoft SQL Server Business Intelligence platforms since 1999. I am also a Certified Scrum Master, which is an agile way of managing projects.
After several exhausting years as an IT Director for three hospitals, while building a new hospital, changing all the information systems, a toxic corporate culture, and a global pandemic, I had had enough. I retired from my career in Information Technology in April 2021 to pursue ministry. This blog will chronicle that journey.
Educational Background
I started with a BS in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University in 1990. That career path did not work out and I was always tinkering with computers. So, I went back to school and received my MBA from the University of Central Oklahoma, with an emphasis in Computer Sciences in 1998.
I am currently working on a Master in Divinity through Asbury Theological Seminary. My focus is on Pastoral Care and Counseling because I see a need for that care in churches today.
Spiritual Background
We never attended church regularly because Mom was Catholic and Dad was Baptist and they couldn’t agree. While living with my grandparents, I started going to a little country Baptist church with my cousins. In the basement of that little church, I learned from Wintress Johnson that Jesus was my friend and I could talk to him anytime by praying.
The next year my parents could not agree on what church to go to for Easter Sunday, but at age 7, I knew all about God and Easter. I said “Fine, we’ll have church in my room.” Jesus was with me every night, so I figured he was still there. I’d seen the preacher ‘do church’ and it didn’t look that hard. So with Dad’s red-letter bible, some crackers and juice from Mom on a TV tray, and my brother helping, we celebrated a risen Christ. That simple faith was what I would draw on years later.
After college, I got into a recovery group and my sponsor asked me about God “as I understood him”. All I knew were the basic bible stories from childhood like Noah and the flood. He reminded me that the flood lasted 40 days and could I trust God for one day? Yes, I could do that, so we got on the floor of an old smoky room and said a prayer, turning my will over to God.
While dating my wife Denise, she introduced me to her Methodist church. There I found guys that were the most welcoming group I knew. Saturday mornings they had coffee ready for bible study and fellowship. They invited me to a big deal in Dallas called Promise Keepers, but I rode down with Catholic men. While I was there I accepted Christ into my life and I rode back with the Methodists. “Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost” Luke 15:6
Since then, my spiritual journey has had many ups and downs. My walk with God has deepened and recently in three separate dreams, Jesus came to me and called me to ministry. I am currently in candidacy for ministry in my church and attending seminary. Be careful if you pray, “God use me”. As mentioned above, I am working on an M.Div. and am a candidate for ministry with the United Methodist Church.
Connect
For more information, follow me on LinkedIn or the social media buttons at the bottom of each page.