Alan Rathbun Elected Alliance Eastern PA District Superintendent
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Sept. 24, 2026 — More than 180 delegates of the Eastern Pennsylvania District of The Christian and Missionary Alliance elected Rev. Alan Rathbun as district superintendent on Sept. 22 at Immanuel Church in Mechanicsburg. He will succeed Rev. Nate Howard on Jan. 1, 2027.
Alan has spent his entire ministry career in the Eastern Pennsylvania District, serving as a youth pastor, church planter and lead pastor. For the past 12 years he has held two roles on the district team, under Superintendents Terry Smith and Nate Howard. He has ministered in rural, urban and cross-cultural settings and has earned the trust and respect of the district's workers and churches.
“Our day together was marked by a spirit of unity and enthusiasm. It was great to see Alan Rathbun elected as our next district superintendent by an overwhelmingly positive vote,” said Terry Smith, former district superintendent.
“Alan's love for the Lord and for people was obvious as he shared his heart with our conference. His knowledge of Eastern PA culture and our Alliance churches places him in a position to lead us well as we continue to pursue a mission of transformation leading to multiplication."
In his address, Alan described three convictions that shape his leadership, grounded in the biblical qualities of an elder: loving the people he leads; staying focused on what matters most — the glory of God and His disciple-making gospel mission; and understanding where people are so he can point them toward that mission.
"By God's grace and because I love you, I will lead you to marvel at God and prompt you to live in overwhelming wonder of Him," Alan told delegates.
Alan said he will continue the district's mission of developing kingdom workers for increasing gospel impact through three areas:
Equipping workers to lead their churches toward transformation that leads to multiplication — making disciples "who are so changed by Jesus that they can't keep Jesus to themselves."
Engaging churches through Disciple-Making Community Dashboard conversations, excellent pastoral transitions and active partnerships with international workers and fields.
Empowering regional networks under the leadership of David Dixon, Executive Director, and developing a "calling culture" with internships and residencies in local churches to train future pastors and international workers.
"I long for us to work together to make a dent in the darkness of the estimated 6 million people in Eastern PA who do not yet trust in Jesus," he said.
Alan plans to build on the prayer and care networks started by Nate and Sharon Howard. He will add a part-time care specialist to continue to build on Sharon Howard’s initiative to care for female workers, spouses, chaplains and retired workers. He will also look to hire someone to fill his current role with the primary focus being to pursue the most effective ways to equip workers to experience transformation that leads to multiplication.
Alan and his wife, Sandra, met at Lancaster Bible College and have been married 38 years. They have three married children and three grandchildren. Sandra cares for children through church ministry and her in-home childcare work. Alan enjoys coaching pastors, cooking new meals with Sandra and taking road trips, especially ones that involve exploring God's creation, watching baseball or eating ice cream.
Now Hiring: As the district prepares for this next season, it is seeking an Equipping Director and a Care Specialist. Anyone interested, or anyone who knows a potential candidate, can learn more at our current openings.