I Am Wilshire – Jane Alloway.
Hometown: Dallas
Education: Texas Tech University
Profession: Retail management
Present city: Dallas
Tell us about your family.
I have one son, Lindsey, who lives in Manhattan. My sister Paula lives here and goes to Wilshire. I had a twin brother, John, who passed away. My parents are Paul and Sue Alloway, and my mother still attends Wilshire.
How about your work or volunteer life?
I retired after my father passed away, and I live with my mother.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I love movies and history — especially ancient history.
What is your favorite place to travel?
I loved Italy, especially Florence. I went with some girlfriends and had a great time. I’m interested in anything that has to do with history.
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I came to Wilshire when I was 2 years old. I was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and then moved to Atlanta. The pastor at the church we attended knew we were moving to Dallas and told my father about a church he thought our family would like. That was Wilshire, and the pastor was Ralph Langley.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I loved Companions in Christ and was a greeter and usher for 15 years and served on the lay support committee for Pastoral Resident Ann Bell Worley. I was the director of Concordia Class for many years. Rick Hibbs took that job and has been wonderful.
What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
I was very nervous coming back to Wilshire, but I felt the Lord was calling me back to church. I felt I had lost myself and was just a mother and a district manager. My parents had moved back to Dallas and went back to Wilshire. They helped me so much with Lindsey since I was traveling each week. I was very impressed with George, and the church was not judgmental.
What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I believe God is helping me through my illness, and I’m blessed with all the support.
Tell us about your faith journey.
I gave my life to Christ when I was 9 and Bruce McIver was Wilshire’s pastor. I was baptized in what is now McIver Chapel before the current Sanctuary was built. I was very active in the youth group and choir.
What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
I’d love to live on the beach in Hawaii or Florence.
What are your strengths?
When I took the StrengthsFinder survey at Wilshire, leadership was one of my top strengths.
If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray