Bruce V. Allen, former Pastor and founder of The Church Fellowship of 18 years, is a renaissance man in the truest sense of its meaning. A spiritual leader, father and family man, visionary and accomplished artistic talent, the breadth and scope of his talent and involvement in life’s pursuits is inspiring. A native of East St. Louis, IL, Bruce V. Allen attended Bethune-Cookman University on a full music scholarship graduating cum laude, while receiving a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with minor studies in music. His post-graduate education includes a Masters Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree from St. Thomas Christian College. In addition, Bishop Allen became an Alumnus of the prestigious Harvard University School of Divinity by completing the rigorous Summer Leadership Institute.
Bruce V. Allen served for over a decade as Associate Pastor/Minister of Music for the Abyssinia Baptist Church of Jacksonville, FL under the pastorate of the late Bishop Tom E. Diamond. During that time, Bishop Allen became a strong proponent of Praise & Worship within the overall context of the African-American worship service. In 1997 he was certified by the National Baptist Convention U.S.A., Inc. in the area of Praise & Worship. In addition to his musical accomplishments, his ministry reached a new apex when in February 2008, he was consecrated and ordained a Bishop by the International Bishops Conference, USA in the Lord’s church. Pastor Allen is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
The latest chapter in Pastor Allen’s life is accepting the position of Executive Pastor of The Hope Church of Orlando, Florida. Through the providential work of God and Pastor Allen’s willingness to listen, God has once again “united” Bishop Allen Wiggins and Pastor Bruce Allen in ministry! In January of 2017 Bruce Allen came aboard of the leadership team of The Hope Church.
Final mention must be made of Bruce Allen’s involvement, indeed dedication to the pioneering and award-winning Inspirational Jazz duo, Allen & Allen. Co-leader and keyboardist of the group along with saxophonist, Allen T.D. Wiggins, he has helped to establish Allen & Allen as a national presence on the music scene and a much in demand performance duo. A few years ago he released his first solo project, “Just B. Allen This Time in.” The project has caused Pastor Allen to brand a new musical genre called “praisetrumental.” The fusion of praise, worship and instrumental music have stimulated a stir all across the country.
Pastor Allen has traveled extensively over the past 30 years preaching and teaching to audiences large and small sharing the fresh revelations God has made known to him. In-spite of being a well-known artist, he manages to keep a humble spirit and is affectionately known as the “bare-foot” preacher. This stems back to his childhood fetish of not wearing shoes inside for anything! Pastor Allen is married to his lovely wife A. Renita Allen and they have one son Bruce G. Allen.