Allen Hunt
Allen R. Hunt (born January 6, 1964, in Los Angeles, California) is an American author and speaker. Hunt, a former Methodist pastor, is now a Roman Catholic.
Allen Hunt | |
---|---|
Born | Los Angeles, California | January 6, 1964
Nationality | American |
Education | PhD Yale University M.Div Emory University B.A. Mercer University |
Occupation | Author |
Employer | The Dynamic Catholic Institute |
Spouse(s) | Anita Hunt |
Children | SarahAnn and Griffin |
Website | drallenhunt.com |
Early life
Hunt was born in Los Angeles, California, but raised in Brevard, North Carolina. Later, his family moved to Lakeland, Florida, where Hunt graduated from high school. He has one brother, James. In 1988, he married Anita Griffin, and they have two daughters, SarahAnn and Griffin Elizabeth.[1]
Education
Hunt graduated from Lakeland High School. He earned undergraduate degrees in Finance and History from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and later completed a Master of Divinity degree at Emory University's Candler School of Theology. In 1994, Hunt completed his Ph.D. in New Testament and Ancient Christian Origins at Yale University.
Professional life
Hunt's professional background has spanned several fields. After college, with experience in real estate development, brokerage, and investment, he worked for Kurt Salmon Associates, an international management consulting firm. Most of his work there focused on strategic planning and marketing assistance for textile and apparel companies as well as some work in mergers and acquisitions.
Hunt then returned to school to pursue full-time ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. As a pastor, Hunt served in three local churches: in Carrollton, Georgia; Rome, Georgia; and Alpharetta, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta.[2] His ministry included time as the leader of a small, rural church, a new church start, and a leading megachurch with a membership over 8000.[3]
In 2005, Hunt became a part of a new ministry venture, which evolved into The Allen Hunt Show on WSB.[2] As the show grew, it became clear that he could not serve both as a full-time pastor and as a talk radio host and speaker, so he stepped down from his pastoral role in 2007 and launched into full-time talk radio.[4] The Allen Hunt Show grew from a small weekend presence in Atlanta into a nationally syndicated weekend show by Cox Radio on Saturday and Sunday nights in markets all over the United States.[3][5]
In February, 2009, Allen was named to the prestigious Talkers Magazine's 100 heavy hitters in talk radio, receiving a ranking unprecedented for a newcomer in the industry.[6]
Annual luncheons
Hunt and his team have hosted charity luncheons benefiting Murphy-Harpst Children's Home in Cedartown, GA. Both events were held in Atlanta, GA. The 1st Annual Allen Hunt Show Luncheon was hosted at the Cobb Galleria and featured keynote speaker Vince Dooley.[7] The 2nd Annual Allen Hunt Show Luncheon was moved to the Cobb Energy Centre and featured keynote speaker University of Georgia Head Football Coach Mark Richt.[8][9]
Conversion
In January 2008 Hunt severed his formal ties with the United Methodist Church and announced his conversion to Catholicism. He now partners with Matthew Kelly at the Dynamic Catholic Institute.
See also
References
- "Allen's Bio". AllenHuntShow.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "On The Town: A Weekly Look at the Northside's Social Scene". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 2006-12-17. p. ZH4.
A recent luncheon honoring "The Allen Hunt Show" proved to be a meal not only for the body, but for the soul as well. The luncheon, with service for 500, was held at the Cobb Galleria to raise awareness of the year-old show hosted by Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church Pastor Allen Hunt.
- "Community of Faith: Mount Pisgah pastor will leave post for radio show". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 2007-03-15. p. JF6.
The Rev. Allen Hunt has announced that he will leave his post as senior pastor of the 7,000-member Mount Pisgah United Methodist in Alpharetta to devote full time to his radio ministry. Hunt hopes to convert his once-weekly radio show to a daily, nationally syndicated program.
- "Pastor ready to face risks of talk-show radio world". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 2007-03-18. p. ZH1.
The Rev. Allen Hunt knows there are no guarantees of success as he leaves the church to carve out a place for his popular radio ministry. But the pastor of Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church isn't worried.
- Recker, Rachael (2008-02-12). "Radio and TV WOODs are together again". The Grand Rapids Press.
Phil Tower, WOOD-AM's programming and operating consultant and new general manager of the Atlanta-based Allen Hunt Show.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 3, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "1st Annual Allen Hunt Show Luncheon featuring Vince Dooley". AllenHuntShow.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- "The Allen Hunt Show Hosts Annual Luncheon Featuring UGA Coach, Mark Richt". Forbes.com. 2008-02-15.
- "2nd Annual Allen Hunt Show Luncheon". AllenHuntShow.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-09.