Announcing New Chaplain and Director of Music
Dallas Theological Seminary welcomes two familiar faces back to campus in key leadership positions this fall: Chaplain Joe Allen and Director of Chapel Music Patrick Thomas, both alumni of the seminary’s Master of Theology program. With the retirement this spring of Bill Bryan, the seminary’s longtime chaplain and worship leader, DTS leaders decided to split the chaplaincy duties into one full-time chaplain position dedicated to counseling and supporting seminary students, faculty, staff, and alumni; and one part-time director of music position focused on creating a rich worship experience during daily chapel services.
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Dr. Joe Allen, Chaplain
DMin, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2004
ThM, DTS, 1988
After pastoring churches for more than 35 years, Dr. Allen returns to DTS from the First Baptist Church of Cairo, GA, where he served as lead pastor since 2003. Dr. Allen is married to Lindsey, and they have two children: Joey (a DTS ThM alumnus), who is married to Christy (also a DTS ThM grad); and Bethany, who is married to David. The Allens have two grandchildren. Dr. Allen enjoys watching the grandkids and football and is a marathon runner.
Patrick Thomas, Director of Chapel Music & Worship
ThM – Pastoral Ministries & Bible Exposition, Dallas Theological Seminary, 2004
Patrick has been involved in church music for more than 30 years. He is a skilled musician, singer, songwriter, & producer. He also has a passion for sharing the Word of God and began his public preaching ministry in December 1997.
After receiving the call to preach, Patrick felt called to relocate to Dallas in order to attend Dallas Theological Seminary. During his time on campus, Patrick served as chapel musician, choir director, student council member, Black Student Fellowship president, and director of men’s housing. Patrick has been with Reunion Church in Dallas since September 2001, where he currently serves as Associate Pastor of Music, Worship, and Marriage Ministries and will continue while being a part-time employee at DTS.
Patrick is married to Tiffany, and they have been blessed with four children—two boys and two girls: Nehemiah Andrew, Judah Elizabeth, Benjamin Daniel, and Esther Amariah.
During the school year, chapel is held every Tuesday through Friday, from 10:40–11:15 a.m. in the Campbell Academic Center. Services are open to all, and past chapels are viewable in our media archive.
