A Dream Comes True: The Vision of Two [Featured on Church Executive]

Mark Allen - Pastor of Life Fellowship Church Texas

Senior Pastor Mark Allen’s path to starting a church in Athens, Texas, began in 2005 — though it certainly wasn’t his plan. 

“Athens doesn’t need another church,” he laughs. “It’s an exaggeration, but I’ve heard people say there are about 12,000 people who live here and, like, 1,500 churches.” 

But, God had something else in mind. 

In 2005, Senior Pastor Mark Allen’s father — also a pastor, in Florida — was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Though Mark was pastoring a small church in Oklahoma City, he promised his dad he’d help with the Florida church’s transition. Mark resigned his position and traveled to Florida from Oklahoma every week for a year.

After his father’s passing, Mark kept his promise, staying with the church for six months. Even so, he says he didn’t feel it was where God wanted him and his family to be long-term. By early 2006, he was regularly asking for God’s guidance.

His answer was a recurring dream about starting a church in Athens, Texas. In one way, it made sense: Mark’s mother had moved there, as had two of his siblings and their families. His brother frequently encouraged him to do the same: move there and start a church.

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A Dream Comes True FAQs

  • Prayer provides clarity, unity, and faith during a complex process. It keeps leaders focused on more than logistics and ensures the project remains ministry-driven.

  • Pastor Mark Allen is the Senior Pastor of Life Fellowship Church in Athens, Texas. The article highlights his calling to start a church, the challenges he faced, and how faith guided the journey.

  • The publication chose to feature the story because it reflects the role of vision, prayer, and leadership in starting a church, offering lessons and encouragement for other pastors and leaders.

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