Lamar Allen was born in Bakersfield California and raised mainly in Oregon. He became a Christian in High School, under the influence of Christian friends and their church youth leaders and pastor. After a short tour of duty in the Army, Lamar entered Portland State College where he prepared to become a teacher. His spiritual growth was encouraged by Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship and his local church. During that time he became engaged to Nancy and was married soon after he graduated and she finished nurses training.

During the first years of their marriage Lamar taught in a junior high school, a community college and one year in a school in West Africa. He also worked in youth ministry during this time.. Returning from Africa, he attended Western Seminary in Portland, earning a Masters of Divinity degree. Prior to joining the staff of Calvary in 1980, Lamar served in churches in Oregon and Colorado.

Lamar’s ministries at Calvary are focused in three areas.  A significant part of his focus is on caring ministries such as hospital calling, both doing it and training others, visitation of homebound people,  He is also working with a new team of people that desire to train many others to be involved in a large variety of caring ministries.  The second area of emphasis is seniors, were he teaches a class and assists in the planning of activities of interest to seniors.  The final area is the benevolence ministry of the church as we seek to be the hands and heart of Jesus.

Lamar and Nancy have three children and four grandchildren.  Brenda is a missionary nurse serving in Guinea, West Africa.  Beth and her family leave in Illinois and Bryan ministers with youth in San Jose, CA