Pleasant Ridge Baptist’s Allen marks 30 years

Pleasant Ridge Baptist’s Allen marks 30 years

For the past 30 years Jimmy Allen has led Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Dadeville, as bivocational pastor, something he said is a “unique experience.”

“I look around and many of the people that were in youth group I have now performed their wedding ceremonies and sometimes their children’s weddings,” Allen said.

Prior to serving at the Tallapoosa Baptist Association church Allen served as bivocational pastor of Cusseta Baptist Church for 11 years. He studied business administration and music at Southern Union State Community College and Auburn University and owns a construction company, following in his father’s footsteps, he said.

He grew up under “great leadership” at County Line Baptist Church, Camp Hill, and served with the youth group at First Baptist Church, Centre, where he was called to pastoral ministry.

Pleasant Ridge Baptist held a surprise celebration for Allen in October and invited friends, family members and church members to share about what Allen’s ministry has meant to them.

While leading Pleasant Ridge, Allen has directed four building projects — enlarging the auditorium twice and adding two educational buildings and a gymnasium — and the church is currently debt free. He and his wife, Martha, have three children and six grandchildren. (Neisha Roberts)