The Allen Community is invited to a “Back to Church Sunday” this coming Sunday, September 19 ^th . The town-wide service has been set for 10:30 a.m. in the new Allen School Gymnasium on East Broadway.

Leading the service will be speaker Ryan Young. Ryan has totally surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. He and his wife, Karistin, have a daughter, Annslee, and son, Cross.

Ryan has served in student ministry for 20 years and will always have a passion for younger generations to live their lives to positively impact The Kingdom. He also has a deep love for missions. Missions isn’t just an international concept. Where there are people, there are mission opportunities. He has led mission teams locally, nationally and internationally. It is his heart to present the Gospel to anyone and everyone, no matter what nation they belong to.

Ryan also desperately wants the church to experience true revival that could lead to a spiritual awakening that this nation needs. Ryan is a dynamic communicator of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

M516 Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry designed to reach the corners of the earth with the redeeming message of the Gospel for all people. The mission of M516 is Ministry, Missions and Movement; the theme for this week’s service is “Hope Is Here!”

Special music will be provided by Dwell Worship, a group from northern Oklahoma. Among the band members is former Allen resident and AHS grad Andrew Sappenfield. Assisting with the sound will be Al Giancotti of Allen.

Following the worship service a free pull-pork barbecue meal will be served in the First Baptist Church’s new community life center. The barbecue sandwiches, along with chips and drink, will be served free of charge.

The afternoon will continue with cornhole games and other activities.

Most of the Allen churches are taking part in the service and afternoon social, and everyone is welcome, invited and encouraged to attend. Come as you are, what ever you feel comfortable wearing is just what we want.

Allen lost a very special friend and loyal Mustang fan Tuesday morning with the passing of Dwayne Johnson. Dwayne worked at The Advocate for many years before moving to Ada. Even then he enjoyed nothing more than coming back to help out at the paper office or, even more, to attend a Mustang football, basketball, softball or baseball game.

Services will be Friday, September 17 ^th , at the Criswell Chapel, Ada, with burial in the Allen Cemetery. Rest well, our friend. We’ll see you again!