Changes

==Career==

==Career==

Prior to coming to Emmanuel Church in Alexandria in 1971, he was the pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Plain Dealing in [[Bossier City|Bossier Parish]], Louisiana (1955-5198); First Baptist Church, Simmesport, Louisiana (1958-60); First Baptist Church, Clinton, Louisiana (1960-1967), and First Baptist Church, Jonesboro in Jackson Parish (1967-1971).<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetowntalk.com/obituaries/att056706|title=Reverend John Gallemore Alley obituary|publisher=''Alexandria Town Talk''|date=August 28, 2023|accessdate=August 30, 2023}}</ref>

Prior to coming to Emmanuel Church in Alexandria in 1971, he was the pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Plain Dealing in [[Bossier City|Bossier Parish]], Louisiana (1955-1958); First Baptist Church, Simmesport, Louisiana (1958-1960); First Baptist Church, Clinton, Louisiana (1960-1967), and First Baptist Church, Jonesboro in Jackson Parish (1967-1971).<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetowntalk.com/obituaries/att056706|title=Reverend John Gallemore Alley obituary|publisher=''Alexandria Town Talk''|date=August 28, 2023|accessdate=August 30, 2023}}</ref>

Pastor Alley stressed building a church in which the congregants feel a sense of belonging and Christian love. In 1973, after a brief illness kept him homebound for a few Sundays, Reverend Alley realized the need for televised church services. Shortly afterward, the church launched its television ministry through station KALB in Alexandria. During his tenure at Calvary Baptist Church, Reverend Alley was instrumental in moving the church building from its location at the corner of Bolton Avenue and Jackson Street to its present location on Jackson Street Extension. He believed that the future of the congregation depended on a shift to focus on young couples and children. A state-of-the-art facility was built to further that mission.<ref name=obit/>

Pastor Alley stressed building a church in which the congregants feel a sense of belonging and Christian love. In 1973, after a brief illness kept him homebound for a few Sundays, Reverend Alley realized the need for televised church services. Shortly afterward, the church launched its television ministry through station KALB in Alexandria. During his tenure at Calvary Baptist Church, Reverend Alley was instrumental in moving the church building from its location at the corner of Bolton Avenue and Jackson Street to its present location on Jackson Street Extension. He believed that the future of the congregation depended on a shift to focus on young couples and children. A state-of-the-art facility was built to further that mission.<ref name=obit/>

And I personally believe the [[Holy Spirit]] works in unity and not in confusion and disharmony. I think the [[Bible]] bears that out over and over and over. So I think it is essential -- if we're going to see the power of the Holy Spirit move in Baptist life and among Baptist people -- that we humble ourselves before God and seek that (unity)."<ref name=bpnews>{{cite web|url=http://www.bpnews.net/4736/louisiana-baptist-groups-announce-consensus-nominee|title=Louisiana Baptist groups announces consensus nominee|publisher=''The Baptist Press''|author=C. Lacy Thompson|date=August 27, 1997|accessdate=July 26, 2018}}</ref></blockquote>

And I personally believe the [[Holy Spirit]] works in unity and not in confusion and disharmony. I think the [[Bible]] bears that out over and over and over. So I think it is essential -- if we're going to see the power of the Holy Spirit move in Baptist life and among Baptist people -- that we humble ourselves before God and seek that (unity)."<ref name=bpnews>{{cite web|url=http://www.bpnews.net/4736/louisiana-baptist-groups-announce-consensus-nominee|title=Louisiana Baptist groups announces consensus nominee|publisher=''The Baptist Press''|author=C. Lacy Thompson|date=August 27, 1997|accessdate=July 26, 2018}}</ref></blockquote>

Though a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]],<ref name=mylife/> Alley posted in 2018 on his [[Facebook]] page a long quotation from the [[Objectivism|objectivist]] [[Ayn Rand]] in her 1957 [[novel]] ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'', which decries how productive citizens must obtain favor from the indolent and dispossessed class to proceed with their enterprises and notes how graft and influence often dominate  hard work. In such situations, "You may know that your society is doomed," Rand warned.<ref name=facebook/>   

Though a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]],<ref name=mylife/> Alley posted in 2018 on his [[Facebook]] page a long quotation from the [[Objectivism|objectivist]] [[Ayn Rand]] in her 1957 [[novel]] ''[[Atlas Shrugged]],'' which decries how productive citizens must obtain favor from the indolent and dispossessed class to proceed with their enterprises and notes how graft and influence often dominate  hard work. In such situations, "You may know that your society is doomed," Rand warned.<ref name=facebook/>   

The current Calvary Baptist senior pastor, B. David Brooks, supervises a staff of twenty and officiated at Alley's funeral.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.calvarynet.net/connect/our-team1/|title=Our Team|publisher=Calvarynet.net|accessdate=July 27, 2018}}</ref> Brooks joined the Calvary staff in 1979 at the age of twenty-three. He said that he still communicates with his predecessor nearly every day. "From day one he became my father in ministry and my father in life. He saw potential in me … He nurtured, developed, and held me accountable. Even in his retirement he continues to mentor me and clarifies the glory and power  pf a local church where there is vision, leadership, hard work, and unity within a church."<ref name=LCarticle/>

The current Calvary Baptist senior pastor, B. David Brooks, supervises a staff of twenty and officiated at Alley's funeral.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.calvarynet.net/connect/our-team1/|title=Our Team|publisher=Calvarynet.net|accessdate=July 27, 2018}}</ref> Brooks joined the Calvary staff in 1979 at the age of twenty-three. He said that he still communicates with his predecessor nearly every day. "From day one he became my father in ministry and my father in life. He saw potential in me … He nurtured, developed, and held me accountable. Even in his retirement he continues to mentor me and clarifies the glory and power  pf a local church where there is vision, leadership, hard work, and unity within a church."<ref name=LCarticle/>