Booth UC is thrilled to announce the return of Alumnus Dr. Isaiah Allen (BA/08). He will be joining the School of Humanities and Social Sciences as our new Assistant Professor of Religion in July 2021. To introduce you to Dr. Allen, we caught up with him over zoom to chat a bit about his time as a student at Booth UC and what it’s like coming full circle back to Winnipeg as a professor. Watch for a more detailed article in our next Connect magazine, coming June 2021. Welcome Dr. Allen!
Why did you choose to study at Booth UC?
I love scripture and wanted to enhance my ministry as a corps officer, but I needed a flexible, quality program. Learning at a Salvation Army institution alongside students and faculty that understood and appreciated my commitments was a compelling opportunity.
Where did you go after Booth UC? Where did your further education and career journey take you?
My mind and heart deepened and I flourished while studying at Booth. Every course added value to my life and ministry, whether it was Bible, counselling, management, ethics, youth culture, social research, or any other course. I felt a strong call toward an academic vocation, earning graduate and post graduate degrees in Bible from Asbury Theological Seminary and London School of Theology—Middlesex University. I won a two-year post-graduate fellowship at Asbury to teach New Testament Greek. I have also taught Bible and religion courses at Asbury University (Wilmore, Kentucky, USA) and ECWA Theological Seminary (Kagoro, Kaduna State, Nigeria). I currently serve my denomination in the USA East as the Director of Corps Leadership Development.
Having come full circle back to Booth UC, what are you looking forward to the most?
It is a privilege to participate in the formation of students through studying the Bible. Whether they are preparing for ministry or simply looking at scripture as literature, I have seen the way it can enrich the whole life. One of my favorite experiences every semester is being there the first time students read books of the New Testament. It is life-changing. It is like when my 10-year-old son Jayden, the little athlete, is excited about hockey and I’m excited by his joy!
What do you like to do outside of teaching?
Before I even thought about scholarship or Bible being a part of my professional life, I was a “starving artist,” trying to establish myself in a career as a ballet dancer. I still enjoy dancing, hiking, and campfires with my family.
