Regional Staff

The Rev. Thaddaeus B. Allen,
​Regional Minister

    Contact Rev. Dr. Thaddaeus Allen:

​The Rev. Dr. Thaddaeus B. Allen, Regional Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia, was called to his office on August 19, 2007, and began his service to the Region in this capacity on November 1. Rev. Allen was Consecrated and Installed by General Minister and President, the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, at the Regional Assembly the following April. In 2014 he was also called to the Regional Minister and President post for the Pennsylvania Region of the Disciples. In the fall of 2017 he also became the Acting Regional Minister for the Northeastern region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and was subsequently called to the office of Regional Minister in 2019. In November of 2018 he was named Visiting Regional Minister for the Christian Church in Ohio a post he held for two and a half years.
Rev. Allen was previously pastor of the Madison Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Huntington, WV, Big Run Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) near Cameron, WV, and Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of New England, WV. He also served as the Associate to the Regional Minister for Youth Ministry in this Region. He is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, the Vice-Chair of board of trustees of Bethany College, and a board member of Thomas Campbell Apartments, a large affordable housing campus in Washington, PA, Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania, and the WV Council of Churches of which he is President.
A 1992 graduate of Bethany College, Rev. Allen holds the M.Div. degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH, holds a post graduate Certificate in Congregational Renewal and Leadership from Lexington Theological Seminary where he was awarded the 2020 Riley Montgomery Award, and holds the D.Min. degree from Lexington Theological Seminary where he was presented the George V. Moore Work in a Congregational Setting award as well as the Reverend Rafael Martell Award.
Rev. Allen and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of two daughters, Kaylie who is a medical legal partnership attorney in Parkersburg, WV and Haddae who is a volleyball coach and student at West Virginia University Chambers School of Management.




​The Rev. Dr. William Allen
Regional Minister Emeritus

Earl Shaw, 
​Minister of the Word and Sacrament
Jennifer Allen,
​Communications Coordinator 
​Jennifer is the Communications coordinator for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Northeastern Regions. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics from West Liberty University and an M.A. in Leadership Studies (with an emphasis in Community Leadership) from Marshall University. Her work experiences have been diverse; functioning in the private and public sector, managing corporations and family owned businesses, and serving as a liaison between state universities and underserved communities.

She has served on numerous nonprofit boards and has been a mission/vision & budget consultant for philanthropic organizations. The strengths she brings to her current role in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) encompass her keen sense of organization, technological understanding, graphic design, and knack for attention to detail. Jennifer’s mathematical training, interpersonal communication skills and creative mind are an asset when looking for solutions to diverse quagmires.

​Jennifer resides with her husband, the Rev Thaddaeus Allen. They have 2 girls: Kaylie, an attorney, and Haddae, an accountant. The Allen family is rounded out by one spoiled golden doodle, Cici grandpups; Ruby & Tilly.

​Rev. Kenneth Hardway, 
​Youth Ministries


Rev. Donald Gaffney,
Associate Regional Minister for Gun Violence Prevention.

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​The Reverend Donald V Gaffney has joined the shared regional staff for Pennsylvania and West Virginia as the Associate Regional Minister for Gun Violence Prevention. He is tasked with coordinating the various gun violence prevention projects and programs being undertaken by the PA Region and elevating this ministry wherever possible. Don has been actively involved in gun violence prevention for more than a dozen years, starting after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, in December of 2012, taking 26 lives. He was raised in Newtown and attended
Sandy Hook School from first through fourth grades. Don's approach is that of conversation, listening, and storytelling around our personal experiences with guns and gun violence. Gun violence is a complex issue which includes mental health, cultural, social, and racial perspectives that must be considered, in addition to our Christian faith. Don was principal
author of a
"Resolution on Guns in PA" approved at the 2014 PA Regional Assembly. He then was a prime mover for a resolution on gun violence prevention at the 2015 Disciples General Assembly, resulting in approval of GA-1521. In 2018, he wrote "Common Ground: Talking About Gun Violence in America," published by Westminster John Knox Press, which continues to be used by individuals and congregations of several
denominations. A gun owner holding a PA carry permit, Don appreciates one-on-one conversations with people across the spectrum on guns and their role in our society, and has led
workshops facilitating small-group discussion on this issue.
At the 2020 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA), Don was one of three clergy honored with their Crystal Teardrop Award for his gun violence prevention advocacy. He currently serves as the PA Region's representative to CeaseFirePA's Common Agenda Coalition of more than 130 organizations) to End Gun Violence. He
brings a wealth of knowledge and resources to his new role.