Late Monday night, Allen posted an announcement on Facebook that he was resigning from the church:
To the Revive City Church of Duluth,
To our church families, friends, and visitors,
I write to you today with a heavy heart, as I must announce my resignation from my role as Pastor of Revive City Church of Duluth and Ministry Leader of Celebrate Recovery at Revive City Church, effective immediately. This decision has not come easily, but it is one that I believe is necessary for our personal journey.
I recognize that this news may bring great pain to many, and perhaps relief to others. Regardless, I ask for your understanding and support as I embark on this new chapter.
Please keep my family in your prayers during this challenging time.
Revive sent news station WDIO a statement that said:
Our heart continues to be for the people, and we want the doors of Revive City Church to stay open. We are diligently working with our board of directors and other leaders to ensure services do not stop.
Rons [sic] step down from Pastor is Permanent and he is now officially retired.
We are contacting local pastors to fill the void in the interim for Sunday and Wednesday services until we find a new Pastor. Revive City Church is a place where hope is found, and we want that to remain the mission and vision of the church.
There is a journey ahead of us and we hope that we can still continue to come together and bring unity to this community.
ChurchLeaders reached out to Revive City Church for comment.
Late Tuesday night, police responded to a shooting at the residence of Ronald and October Allen, according to WDIO and Fox 21. Two windows were shattered by a BB gun. Police say it was not a drive-by shooting but are still investigating the incident.
“[Whether] the damage was done by a drive by or someone standing outside, our windows were shot out,” October Allen said in a statement to WDIO. “[Whether] it was with a BB Gun or a popsicle stick, we were the target, and our windows being shot out and our safety endangered. And it was not done by us!”
