SHABBONA, Ill. - Shabbona United Church of Christ, in covenant with the Prairie Association of the United Church of Christ, announced the ordination of Pastor Jim Allen Sunday, Feb. 23.

Allen is a 1971 graduate of Monroe High School. He came to Shabbona about nine years ago as a licensed minister. In January, member churches of the Prairie Association approved Allen to be ordained and installed as the 33nd Minister of Word and Sacrament in the 137-year history of the Church.

Allen grew up in Browntown and is the son of Ken and Lucille Allen. He is married to Carol and the couple has four children and 10 grandchildren.

Allen is a graduate of Mercer University in Atlanta with a bachelors degree in economics. During his 30-year career in fiber optics and networking, Allen completed an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

Allen became a licensed minister on April 24, 2005 at Shabbona UCC. Since 2005, Allen completed the requirements for ordination including a Masters of Divinity degree from Northern Seminary and a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at BroMenn Hospital in Normal, Ill. Allen plans to complete his Doctor of Ministry degree.

For more information contact the church at 815-824-2359 or visit www.shabbonachurch.com.