Dr. Holly Allen
Director, Child and Family Studies Program
Professor of Biblical Studies
Ph.D., Talbot School of Theology
M.A., University of Iowa
B.A., Harding University
Dr. Allen directs the Child and Family Studies major. She spends much of her time researching, writing, and speaking at conferences in both secular and Christian settings. Since children’s spiritual development is currently a hot topic, the research she is doing is sought after by parents, the educational establishment, social workers, and churches. Her current writing project on children’s spirituality is tentatively titled Ten Ways to Nurture Children’s Spiritual Formation.
Dr. Allen works with 25-30 Child and Family Studies majors who have a passion for nurturing children and families in Christian settings as well as helping those in tough settings such as former child soldiers and prostitutes, inner-city children, and children in foster care and orphanages. The favorite part of her job is the relationship she has with her majors; she finds it very rewarding to encourage students academically, professionally, and spiritually.
To relax, Dr. Allen plays racquetball, lifts weights, and hikes in the Ozarks with her husband. She treasures a few life-long friendships, leads a spiritual direction group with several women, and stays in the Word.
Fun facts:
Dr. Allen pumps iron three days a week.
Dr. Allen has just completed a book (with Christine Ross) for InterVarsity Press entitled Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community and Worship. It is to be released October 2012.
Dr. Allen loves being a grandmother, but finds it disconcerting to be married to a man who is old enough to be a grandfather.
