About Joel and Madonna Allen

Joel and Madonna were both born and raised in Wichita Falls, Texas. They both attended Wichita Falls High School, but did not meet until after Joel graduated.

Joel was saved at age 13 at an old-fashioned tent revival after hearing a moving message on "hell". Madonna was saved at age 17 while watching a Billy Graham film entitled A Time to Run shown at a downtown theater.

They were married in Wichita Falls. They joined Memorial Baptist Church in 1975 where Gerald Ward was pastor. Joel surrendered to attend Independent Baptist College in July 1976 during a revival held at Memorial Baptist Church with Bro. Raleigh Campbell (then president of Independent Baptist College in Dallas, TX) preaching.

Joel and Madonna moved within weeks and were able to get settled in time for Joel to begin the fall semester on time. They had two daughters at that time and would have a third six months later.

They joined Trinity Temple Baptist Church in Dallas, where Bro. Campbell was pastor. Their lives were enriched through the ministry of Bro. Campbell and his precious wife Clinta June. Joel and Madonna continue to reap benefits even today from knowing and being ministered to by these two seasoned mentors. Joel graduated from Independent Baptist College in May 1981 with a BA in Sacred Music (the first of it's kind issued by the college). The next three years they served in several different churches until April 1984 when they joined Rodgers Baptist Church in Garland, Texas.

While at Rodgers Baptist Church, they served in the Sunday School and Sanctuary Choir. Joel surrendered to preach during the Missions Conference at Rodgers in 1995. God began to burden their hearts about America and the need for home missions.

While vacationing in the Ozarks in April 1998, God began to stir their hearts. Not sure about what God had in mind for them, but feeling impressed about the Cleveland, Ohio area, they made a survey trip there in June 1998 and then a return trip in November. God confirmed to both Joel and Madonna that His will for them is to begin a home mission work in Cleveland, Ohio. They shared their hearts with their home church and have been moving toward what they refer to as "The Cleveland Project".

Their three daughters, Sandi, Jeannine and Elisabeth are married to James Welch, Eric Parker, and Jeremy Ross, respectively. All three couples are serving faithfully in their home churches.

Joel and Madonna consider it a great honor to be sponsored by Rodgers Baptist Church and are committed to fulfilling all requirements therein.