Dr. James D. Alen
Recap from Part 1
Somewhere along the line, I became certain I was never enough. The ache of inadequacy still stung. I thought that to come to Christ, I had to fix myself first. My early instruction left me lost. Kneeling in prayer, hands trembling, I whispered, “God, I am so confused. I know I’m not enough. I’ve tried all my life and failed. But today, 5 December 1970, I promise to serve you, even if you send me away. That’s your decision, but I’ll give you my all.” I rose, my heart charged with a trembling conviction.
That moment marked a turning point—I WAS CHANGED AND CHARGED!
When I got up from prayer, I felt supercharged. I was emotional, I was excited, I was free, and I was confident. When I was a new Christian, I used to hear this from others, including Chaplains: Jim, I believe you will get to heaven, but only if you don’t overshoot it. Yes, I was full of zeal and had little knowledge; the zeal was in the forefront. I went to the base switchboard around 3 a.m. Back then, someone had to connect calls with a jack.
The guys were captive to my witness. No, they didn’t have to listen, but I could keep them awake!
I was becoming what people called a Jesus Freak, and this later quote of mine sums up how I felt at that time:
About three days after my encounter with Jesus, I was called in to see SGT D, who would be my immediate report. He told me I would start on the job tomorrow because my top-secret clearance and associated communications credentials had followed me. He explained that he had no idea how long I would be in England. I was to treat this assignment like a TDY (temporary duty). I sat calmly but couldn’t resist asking him if he knew Jesus. He scowled at me and told me, in a very Sergeantly manner, to keep my views to myself. I asked him about my wife, and he said again he didn’t know how long I would be in England. I walked out like so many new Christians who would later step out of my office after I became a pastor, declaring “I hear you, but GOD.”😊
THE BIG DECISION
It was now just a few days until Christmas. In my previous assignment, I had already been away from the family for Thanksgiving and Christmas; God wanted Debbie here this Christmas! I called Debbie: with the enthusiasm of a new believer, I told her to fly to London, and I will pick you up. Where would we stay? I had no idea. Shouldn’t I get permission and sign up for base housing? Of course, but as a friend says, I was following the miracles.
The Captain, First Sgt, and Sgt D
I picked Debbie up from London, and we stayed in a Pub/B&B just off base called the Dog Inn. By the way, Debbie just had to ride the double-decker bus and made me carry her luggage to the top. We took the bus to the train station and the train back to Braintree near the base, where we got a cab. I was so happy to see her!! I remember we got so cold that first evening. (No newlywed jokes.) We learned you had to feed the meter several times to keep the heat on through the night.
Debbie was here, so I headed to the base to meet with the Captain and get signed up for base housing. It was now December 22. The First SGT took me into the Captain’s office, and he welcomed me politely.
“SGT Allen, I understand you want to bring your wife over.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Tell me, when do you anticipate bringing her over?”
“Well, sir, she got here yesterday,” I said with a very happy, delightful, personable, confident, and warm, naive smile.
The warm, polite room transformed instantly. The First SGT erupted—yelling, cussing, threatening, drooling, spitting, shaking—while the Captain joined in with loud reprimands and odd words. Five minutes felt like seventeen hours. For those unfamiliar, a First SGT is much more intimidating than a Captain. The First SGT led me out as the Captain barked, “Get him out of my sight,” which I nervously interpreted as, “Welcome, I will see you later.”
The first shirt called SGT D, and he was none too happy upon arrival. Now, the cussing became a duel between the First SGT and SGT D, until it was finally over.
In disgust and with a few adjectives about my mental stability, he shouted, and pointed his finger in my face “He is yours, SGT D Get him squared away!”
The Nice Guy
Our base housing meeting was set for December 23. The housing guy, who was my rank, told us only one unfurnished unit was available; if it was clean, it would be ours. Surprisingly, it was in great shape. Our new neighbor, a kind MSgt, furnished our apartment with a card table, two folding chairs, and two twin beds pushed together. The appliances, some dishes, and utensils were there. We moved in on December 24, 1970. It really was a Christian miracle. I love telling the story at churches or to classes.
Our First Christmas
That was our first Christmas as husband and wife, and one of the best. I now knew the Christ of Christmas, and soon, Debbie would see the change in my life and join me in faith in Jesus. It was the beginning of a married team that still serves the Lord. Looking back over fifty-five years, God couldn’t have given me a better wife. And you know what? We stayed in England for two years until orders came for the Philippines. The Lord brought us a Spirit-filled United Methodist Chaplain, Thomas Shreve, who stayed with me and helped me grow in knowledge without tempering my zeal. He always had a word and about five tapes for us. Certainly, the best first mentor I could ever have had. He was a Spirit-filled United Methodist Chaplain who baptized Debbie and me at a Baptist church off base. How is that for credentials?! We stayed in England for two years until orders came for the Philippines. (And that was a HUGE miracle!) I will have to tell you sometime via video.
From this beginning, I have been deeply blessed to preach on five continents, hold various ministry positions, and serve as the lead pastor of four wonderful churches. Most of all, I cherish every moment shared with the most incredible wife in the world, wonderful children, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and four above-average grandchildren in beauty, handsomeness, and intelligence. In this season, my heart overflows with gratitude for our Lord, my wife, my family, my friends, and the many mentors who have transformed my life.
Don’t be afraid to follow the miracles and have a Merry Christmas!!
The picture below was taken seven months before we moved into the unit in England.
Dr. James D. Allen
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Dr. James D Allen
Dr. Allen served as a seminary VP, pastor, and as a trustee on a Christian mental health Board. He has earned a BA, MA, MA Biblical Counseling, Doctor of Ministry. Dr Allen has also preached on 5 continents, lived in 3 nations, and so has a diverse Christian experience. He has a distinguished career of being a pastor, consultant, author, and educator. MY FIRST LOVE--Being a Pastor and encouraging others!