Comedian Jeff Allen entertained an audience of over 300 people as the headliner at Atlantic Christian School’s 7th Legacy Gala on Friday, May 12 at the Ocean City Tabernacle. The Gala and a Silent Auction held at the event, along with the May 16 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament, helped raise funds for the school’s Tuition Assistance Grant Fund. The events together netted $31,000 for the fund that since 2017 has provided tuition discounts to hundreds of qualified families in need to give them access to a Christian education for their children.

Allen began his career in 1978 and has entertained audiences around the world. He has appeared on America’s Got Talent, Comedy Central, Pureflix, Dry Bar Comedy, Apostles of Comedy, in films like “Thou Shalt Not Laugh,” and more. Allen’s second book, “Are We There Yet,” is due for release this coming September.

“Mr. Allen has been making people laugh for five decades and he certainly lived up to his reputation,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “Many of us in the audience appreciated his humorous perspective on everyday life situations and we were laughing until we cried.”

After performing his comedy act, Allen was presented with a thank-you gift from ACS — an original drawing by ACS 11th grader Ryleigh Martin that illustrated Proverbs 16:24 –“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.”

The evening’s program began with 12th grader Daniella Ajayi welcoming the audience to the Gala and offering an invocation. Chief School Administrator Oblen then came forward for a special presentation to the Dye Family to thank them for partnering with ACS to create the Tuition Assistance Grant Fund in 2017. She presented the Dyes with a framed photo of the Ocean City Music Pier, where several ACS concerts were held in the 1990s when Bob Dye was the ACS choir director.

Oblen said that over the past six years, the fund has provided a tuition discount for nearly 580 students from over 430 new and returning families — giving out a total of nearly $940,000 in aid.  For the coming school year, Oblen said ACS expects to award at least $217,000 from the fund to benefit 142 students from 117 families.

“We are so thankful for the Dye family’s passion for Christian education and their decision to partner with our school to make this vital Tuition Assistance Fund a reality,” Oblen said. “We want to continue making ACS affordable for families who are seeking a Christian education for their children; that’s what you’re supporting by being here tonight.”

Following the presentation to the Dye family, the 23-member Middle School Worship Team, led by staff member Kelly Flynn, gave an uplifting performance of Cory Asbury’s “The Father’s House” and Hillsong Worship’s “New Wine.”

12th grader Cruz Lewis then introduced Allen, remarking that his life story was inspiring — not only for Allen’s outstanding accomplishments as a comedian, but for his courage to share his journey of transformation — from being an atheist and involved in drugs and alcohol — to becoming a born-again Christian.

During his remarks at the Gala, Allen touched on the experiences that led to his conversion to becoming a Christian in 1997 — describing it as a 7-year journey that began on the first day that he became sober.

“Our job is to show up and to seek, like Jesus says, just knock, and He’ll answer. It doesn’t mean today, tomorrow, or next week, but in time,” Allen said. He noted that the journey to faith will result “in a peace that you never knew could exist.”

After Allen’s performance, 12th grader Sam Glancey shared from his heart about how he has been blessed to be a beneficiary of the Tuition Assistance Grant Fund for the past six years. Lisa Dye, a member of the ACS faculty from 1997-2020, then spoke about the purpose of the fund and encouraged those in the audience to join her and her family in making a donation to the fund.

The Gala program concluded with 11th grader Ryleigh Martin giving a solo performance of “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship and Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz delivering a benediction.

Prior to the Gala Program, sponsors and other supporters attended a delicious appetizer and dessert reception catered by Elite Fleet and had the opportunity to meet Jeff Allen and pose for a photograph. The Silent Auction, spearheaded by staff member PJ Santos, was also open during the reception and attracted friendly competition among more than 70 items up for bid.

Photo credits: John Loreaux