Rev. Allen was born in Natchez, Mississippi through the love of Willie and Maxine Allen. He is the oldest of three children and the family grew up in the small town of Claxton; just outside of Knoxville Tennessee. He was involved in many high school extra-curricular groups such as the Drama Club, the Scholastic Team, and the Student Government Association. Aldana was co-founder of the Chess Club and was Band Captain his senior year.

Upon graduating, he attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He continued to enhance his educational experience with other collegiate opportunities. Most notably, Aldana was a columnist for the school newspaper (The Daily Beacon) and chapter president for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
After earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Rev. Allen was struck with a profound sense of God’s call. He was being instructed to live a vibrant Christian faith; coupled with the joys and responsibilities of pastoral leadership. Before going to seminary, he had the great joy of journeying to Israel. This pilgrimage was instrumental to his faith development. He matriculated through Gammon Seminary and was awarded a Master of Divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia. In April 2004, Rev. Allen married the most beautiful, intelligent, thoughtful, and loving woman he has ever known; the Rev. Sonya McAuley-Allen (Bellefonte Presbyterian- PCUSA). They are blessed to have two incredible boys; Keenan Joel Allen and Derick Joshua Allen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Darryl E. Donnell Jr., MDIV, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, has faithfully been a pastor in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church since 2018. Rev. Donnell is currently a Provisional Elder.

In 2019, he obtained his BA in Christian Ministry from John Wesley University in High Point, North Carolina. In May 2023, he obtained his Master of Divinity (MDIV) from Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina. From July 2018 to June 2023, he served as Pastor of Camp Springs United Methodist Church and Garrett’s Grove United Methodist Church in Caswell and Rockingham County. He most recently served Memorial United Methodist Church in High Point, North Carolina.

Effective July 1, 2026, Rev. Donnell joins St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Charlotte as our Associate Pastor. He also serves within the broader United Methodist Church as a member of the WNC BMCR.

Rev. Donnell, the youngest of three, has two older sisters. He loves music! From being a Jazz Musician before becoming a pastor, you’ll sometimes find him using his other gifts through playing trumpet along with the choir on Sunday mornings.

Rev. Donnell loves his pets. He has one dog, a Pitbull named “Rev.”, and a 30-gallon fish tank with Corydoras (Cory Catfish), Platies, and Swordtails. “Being a 90’s baby”, one of his favorite sayings is: “Its Morphin Time!”

Because he loves preaching, Rev. Donnell comes in the spirit of Jeremiah, to whom God said, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations…You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.” Jeremiah 1:5,7 NIV

 

 

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