Peacemaker of the Year

Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison

Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison has dedicated 28 years to full-time ministry within the United Methodist Church and is the Senior Pastor at Oak Lawn UMC, Dallas, TX. She is deeply committed to discipleship, social justice, and extending hospitality to marginalized individuals. Rachel holds degrees from Texas Wesleyan University, Drew Theological Seminary, and Perkins School of Theology and has contributed to various educational materials, including editing the CEB Women’s Study Bible. She co-founded Safe Spaces Lebanon to support Syrian refugee children. [Source: OLUMC Web site]

As the senior pastor of OLMC Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison has been dedicated to making Oak Lawn United Methodist Church a beacon of hope in the community and a parish that welcomes ALL. This has been accomplished through a variety of ministries, including:

1. Dallas Responds, an outreach ministry of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, that is an innovative collaboration with other community organizations, churches and individuals. This program provides a welcoming place at the church that transcends borders, embraces diversity, and fosters a sense of belonging for every individual seeking refuge, safety and love. Besides attending to the emotional and spiritual needs of the people it serves, it also attends to their material needs in a wide variety of ways.

2. Special services to the unhoused, including 3 hot meals per per week and clothing. In addition, during inclement weather Oak Lawn UMC is open partnered with the City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management as a primary shelter to provide a warm place to sleep and food and clothing to their unsheltered neighbors.

3. Regularly scheduled A.A. meetings.

4. Supportive programs for Trans youth.

United Methodist Bishop Ruben Saenz, Jr.described the congregation that Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison has led since July 2017:

“This remarkable congregation embodies Christ’s borderless hospitality through their unwavering commitment to welcoming all and creating a safe place for people to find physical, emotional, and spiritual belonging. Their impartial and unconditional inclusivity beautifully demonstrates philoxenia, the “love of strangers,” a core ethical and spiritual value and essential practice that defines participation in God’s kingdom.”

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