Allan Taylor has influenced all of us in discipleship ministry whether we realize it directly or indirectly. I remember reading the first time The Six Core Values of Sunday School and I was hooked. From there I remember diving into Sunday School in HD. Then came the video series of Sunday School Done Right, Forward From Here, and the Inspired Teacher. 

As time went on, I watched Allan from afar and always valued the times that he would be the main speaker at an event. The coaching style of Allan came out that was inspiring and challenging at the same time. The passion and pursuit to see a growing, thriving Sunday School was valuable and something I wanted emulated in the churches I served.

I remember the time as well that I met him for lunch in Knoxville. We were both passing through the area, and I wanted to just have a moment to meet and learn from him. I walked away from that meeting with a mentor and friend in ministry. To be honest, most of us experienced the same when we spent any time with Allan.

I was shocked, as many of you were, to hear of his passing on July 28, 2026. The news sent a wave of emotions through many of us that had grown to love and share Allan’s passion for Sunday School.

Allan was widely known among Southern Baptists for teaching churches to treat Sunday School as a serious ministry strategy rather than simply another program. That conviction produced measurable fruit. During his years at First Baptist Woodstock, Sunday School attendance grew from approximately 2,500 to 5,800. Taylor’s teaching consistently emphasized reaching, teaching, ministering, involving, assimilating, and developing people through the Sunday School ministry. He would later serve as the Director of Sunday School for Lifeway. Then, he continued his work through First Baptist Church Concord in Knoxville, TN as he oversaw the ministry teams for the church.

The principles he shared have revealed themselves to be increasingly relevant and timeless. He consistently emphasized that churches need environments where biblical content, authentic relationships, pastoral care, evangelism, ministry, and mission reinforce one another and the place where that happens is through Sunday School.

Taylor’s legacy challenges discipleship leaders to ask questions such as, “What are our groups producing?” Are people growing in Scripture? Are guests finding relationships? Are members caring for one another? Are leaders being developed? Are people being sent on mission? 

As a faithful member of Disciple Leaders Network, Allan was always ready to help develop the next generation of leaders. He truly was someone that championed disciple leaders. And we want to now pick up this baton and run our race for God’s glory!

We will miss you for now Allan, but will see you again soon!

Dr. Joseph Brasher