“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.!”
Meet the Associate Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Joty Tavares Allison is a preacher, theologian, educator, and emerging ecclesial leader whose ministry is rooted in justice, pastoral care, prophetic witness, and the transformative power of the Gospel. Raised in the Baptist Church and formed within the Pentecostal tradition, Dr. Allison’s faith journey has been shaped by a deep love for the Church, a commitment to spiritual authenticity, and a passion for cultivating communities grounded in dignity, liberation, compassion, and belonging. Formed by the rich traditions of Black preaching, worship, and public witness, he brings a pastoral presence marked by theological depth, cultural awareness, intellectual curiosity, and a steadfast commitment to helping people encounter both the love of God and the call to faithful discipleship.
A graduate of Morehouse College, where he studied Sociology, Philosophy, and Religion, Dr. Allison developed a deep intellectual and theological interest in the relationship between faith, identity, justice, and the lived experiences of Black communities. His studies helped shape his understanding of the Church not only as a spiritual body, but also as a moral and social witness called to engage the realities of the world with courage, compassion, and integrity.
He continued his theological formation at Candler School of Theology, where his commitments to inclusive ministry, pastoral sensitivity, and prophetic engagement were further sharpened and affirmed. He later earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary, where his research focused on reclaiming the prophetic voice of the Black Church through a contemporary theological lens centered on justice, inclusion, liberation, and public witness.
Dr. Allison’s vocational journey spans congregational ministry, nonprofit leadership, and corporate experience, including work with Tesla, AIDS Atlanta, and Damien Center. These experiences have shaped his holistic understanding of leadership and strengthened his commitment to building ministries that are spiritually grounded, socially conscious, administratively strong, and responsive to the needs of the broader community. He is particularly passionate about helping the Church engage both personal transformation and systemic change through faithful service, advocacy, education, and public witness.
Dr. Allison currently serves as Associate Pastor for Christian Education and Faith Formation at the historic Witherspoon Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. Within this role, he is committed to nurturing discipleship, strengthening congregational life, cultivating intergenerational faith formation, and helping the Church embody a bold, relevant, and compassionate witness in the world. Deeply grounded in the Reformed tradition and inspired by the enduring legacy of the Black Church, Dr. Allison’s ministry seeks to bridge spiritual depth with social engagement, proclaiming a Gospel that is both pastoral and prophetic, rooted in love, justice, and the ongoing work of transformation.
Dr. Allison is married to Mr. Robert Martin, and together they share a commitment to faith, service, community, and the ongoing work of building spaces where all people are seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.