In August Dan Allan began serving a one-year term as the executive director for the Charis Fellowship. This is a role that is nominated by the Fellowship Council and approved by a vote of delegates and can last from one to three years. Dan will serve through Charis Fellowship Conference in July 2024.
As executive director, Dan will help provide leadership to the Fellowship Council, Fellowship Office, ministry partnerships, and Fellowship events. During his term Dan will help cast vision and provide oversite for the ministry year and will be intricately involved in planning and executing Focus Retreats and National Conference. Dan will continue to serve at Ashland Grace Church as their pastor of ministry development.
Get to know Dan in his own words below.
Ministry Life
When did you first get involved in ministry?
I first got involved in ministry when I was in High School. I attended a small church and a youth leader set me in front of a large mirror and said, “I’m going to teach you how to lead singing in the worship service!” And he started showing me how to direct music and wave my arms so people would follow. It was terrifying to be thrown into the deep end. But I feel like I’ve been swimming in the deep end ever since and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way! It has been an amazing ride!
What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
I feel like my “favorite verse” changes on a weekly basis…but one I have come back to over and over since I was a teenager is Psalm 37:4, which says, “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I realized early on that my soul had some very deep, powerful longings and desires…and that only God was big enough to satisfy them!
What excites/motivates you most about doing ministry?
I never get tired of hearing one more story of one more person who has come alive and found salvation in Jesus Christ! It also thrills me when any believer really experiences the “steadfast love of the Lord” and understands “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10). The older I get, the more I am gripped by something I heard while a student at Grace College: “To know Christ and to make Him known.” Doubling down into that continues to excite me!
What are you looking forward to in the next year as executive director?
It was such an honor (and a surprise) when I was asked to serve in this role. I am very excited to spend this year at the Focus Retreats talking about “Resourcing the Soul” and then at National Conference pressing into the question, “How good is the Gospel?”
Personal Life
How long have you and Holly been married? How did you two meet?
Holly and I have been married for 43 years. We met at Grace College. I was a junior and she was a sophomore transfer student and we met on the first weekend of school.
How many kids/grandkids do you have?
We have two grown children, Sara (Jeff) and Jon (Danielle)…both are married and they have given us 4 grandchildren!
What are some of your favorite hobbies/pastimes?
I have always loved sports and being in the woods or at the ocean. Any time I can, I’m up for a golf game or pickleball match.