After nearly two decades of dedicated leadership with the West Virginia Council of Churches, Rev. Jeff Allen has retired. His tenure as Executive Director was marked by a steadfast commitment to ecumenical collaboration, social justice, and compassionate service, leaving a lasting impact on churches and communities across the state.
Rev. Allen’s journey in ministry began in 1987 when he was appointed as a pastor in the West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. His passion for community outreach led him to serve as Director of Community Development Outreach Ministries from 1993 to 2006, a ministry that later grew into the Heart+Hand Outreach in South Charleston. In 2007, he joined the West Virginia Council of Churches as an associate director, stepping into the role of Executive Director in 2012. Under his leadership, the Council expanded its efforts in advocacy, disaster response, and fostering unity among Christian denominations to address pressing social issues.
“Jeff Allen’s leadership has been a gift to the churches and people of West Virginia,” said Rev. Dr. Thaddaeus Allen, Regional Minister and President the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia. “He has been a faithful and prophetic voice, working tirelessly to bring churches together to respond to the needs of our communities with compassion and justice. His presence and wisdom will be greatly missed, but his impact will be felt for years to come.”
Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett of the West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church added, “Rev. Allen’s ministry has embodied Christ’s call to love and serve our neighbors. His ability to build bridges across denominations and mobilize faith communities for meaningful action has been truly inspiring. I give thanks for his faithful service and pray for God’s blessings on this next chapter of his journey.”
“Through his leadership, Rev. Allen has helped strengthen the bonds between faith traditions in West Virginia,” said Bishop Mark Brennan of the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling- Charleston. “His dedication to justice, service, and cooperation among churches has made a profound difference, and we celebrate his years of ministry with deep gratitude.”
After his retirement, Rev. Allen will be honored with the title Executive Director Emeritus, a recognition of his lasting contributions to the WVCC and the broader faith community. The Council expresses deep gratitude for his faithful service and visionary leadership.
In honor of Rev. Allen’s ministry and legacy, a newly established endowment fund at the United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia will support child health initiatives and other vital activities of the West Virginia Council of Churches. Those wishing to express their appreciation through a monetary gift may donate to this fund, ensuring that his commitment to serving others continues well into the future. Checks may be mailed to “Jeff Allen Fund, c/o UM Foundation of WV, 500 Virginia Street E., Suite 750, Charleston, WV 25301. Online donations can be made at www.umfwv.org.
A celebration in honor of Rev. Allen’s ministry will be announced in the coming months, providing an opportunity for friends, colleagues, and community members to express their appreciation.
For more information about the West Virginia Council of Churches and its ongoing work, visit www.wvcc.org.