Tribute to Dr. Mark Allison
Summer 2021
If you have ever corresponded with Dr. Mark Allison, you will know that his signature verse at the bottom of his emails was Habakkuk 2:4, "The just shall live by faith." The doctrine of justification by faith certainly characterized Dr. Allison’s vision and burden. Even before he joined Faith Free Presbyterian Church (FFPC), he carefully scrutinized the churches he visited to be sure their understanding and appreciation of that foundational truth met his expectations. He was very concerned that this great doctrine of the Reformation was not understood or emphasized enough in fundamental churches throughout America. Where the light of such an important truth diminishes, churches become more driven by guilt than by salvation. The Christian life becomes a life of bondage rather than the life of a soul set free to follow Christ by God’s grace.
When Dr. Alan Cairns was called to be the minister of FFPC, Dr. Allison was a regular Sunday guest in his home. During those times of fellowship, Dr. Allison shared his vision that the truth of justification be established again in the pulpit ministries across America and beyond. This focus, of course, dovetailed with Dr. Cairns’ vision that Christ be preached, i.e., that every doctrine and duty and relationship taught in the Bible be viewed through the lens of the person and work of Christ.
Once Dr. Allison joined Faith Free, it didn’t take long for the members of the church to recognize that he was wise beyond his years. He soon became one of the youngest men in the church to be ordained as an elder. During this time, he had been pursuing various degrees in the School of Religion at Bob Jones University until he had earned just about every degree that it could confer. His academic accomplishments included a BA in Bible, a Master’s degree in Theology, followed by a Master of Divinity degree, and eventually a PhD in Old Testament studies with his dissertation being written on the topic of Creation.
Dr. Allison was recognized by many as one who very carefully sought the Lord's will in every decision of his life. He knew how to patiently wait for the Lord’s leading. This was especially the case in marriage so that many of his peers thought he was perhaps too patient. They were pleasantly surprised when he became engaged to Miss Charlene Killian who became his wife. Sometime later, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Hannah, who would grow up to love and serve Jesus and would be very close to her father throughout his days on Earth.
Since its inception, Dr. Allison was involved with the seminary which eventually became Geneva Reformed Seminary. His main reason for pursuing a PhD at Bob Jones University was to equip himself to serve in the training of ministers. In 2016, the presbytery issued a call to Dr. Allison to become the next president of GRS. In this particular instance, he knew immediately that the Lord wanted him to serve in this role. He was certainly equipped for it, bringing with him years of pastoral experience, including sixteen years in Malvern, PA, as well as his academic achievements. Dr. Allison always had ready access to everything he ever learned. He was also gentle and approachable. You could count on him to be straightforward with you, while being kind and gracious at the same time. Dr. Cairns referred to him as one of the best biblical counselors a Christian could hope to find.
Dr. Mark Allison will be greatly missed, but it seems appropriate that he joins Dr. Cairns in glory as the two labored together for many years. They leave an invaluable legacy to future generations and an influence that will be felt in the FPC for decades to come. Now we who are left in this world anxiously anticipate the coming day when we will join them both when all who follow Christ will be “openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity” (Shorter Catechism, question 38).