Prior to joining us, Allen served for 11 years as rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in LaGrange, Georgia. Along with that parish work, he served as a convocational dean, on the Commission on Ministry for the Diocese of Atlanta, and on the faculty for “Learning to Lead,” the diocesan class for clergy in new positions. Teaching, vocational discernment, and learning alongside others are important to his work.

Writing is a passion of Allen's, whether for sermons, articles, or the short novel he's been trying to finish for a few years. He also loves listening to all kinds of music, and like just about everyone on the planet, "Ted Lasso" has become a favorite show. He is a big fan of Liverpool Football Club in the English Premier League and is excited about Charlotte's very own MLS team! Allen and his wife, Casey, have two girls, Abby Grace (16) and Ila (12). As a family they love to travel, and have enjoyed trips to Italy, Ukraine, the Grand Canyon, Northern California, and England. Casey and Allen both like to cook, but perhaps most enjoy hiking and sitting by our favorite north Georgia creek.

As Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Suzanne Watts Henderson teaches, preaches, and serves as a resource for the clergy and spiritual formation teams to foster deeper spiritual growth across the whole parish. Suzanne teaches in large and small group settings including bible studies, discussion groups, and Faith Forum conversations, retreats, and pilgrimages.

Suzanne is an ordained minister (Christian Church, Disciples of Christ), New Testament scholar, Queens University professor, and consultant for Interfaith America, a national nonprofit devoted to unlocking our nation’s religious diversity as a civic asset. Originally from Nashville, she has spent most of her adult life in North Carolina and holds degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill, Princeton Seminary, and Duke. She’s published numerous articles and four books, including New Testament Conversations: A Historical, Literary, and Pluralistic Introduction, and delights in sharing biblical history and story with the faithful, the doubting, and the curious. Suzanne is married to Bob, a local Presbyterian pastor; together they enjoy skiing, hiking, and traveling, especially to visit their adult children in LA, Denver, and DC.