Pastor Alice Bolen

Pastor Alice was born and raised on a farm in West Central Illinois. She grew up and was baptized in a small rural Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation. As a member of the youth group there she gave her first sermon. She credits that congregation for her good faith foundation.

She attended Culver-Stockton College (a Disciples of Christ college) and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She married her college sweetheart, John Bolen, a pre-ministerial student. They have been happily married for over 40 years. They have two children; Brian and his wife Seana live in Humboldt, Iowa and have three children. Their daughter, Amy and her husband Jeff live in West Des Moines and have three children.

For fourteen years Pastor Alice served the church as an Associate Regional Minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Midwest Region. Following graduation from United Theological Seminary in Minneapolis she was called to be the pastor at First Christian Church in Perry, Iowa. She served there for 8 ½ years.

Pastor Alice will celebrate her 10th anniversary serving Runnells Christian Church in March, 2012. She enjoys teaching Bible Study groups and helping the youth groups with their special projects.

They enjoy their home and flower gardens east of Runnells. John is a professor in the Religion and Philosophy departments of Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. He also serves as interim pastor for a congregation in Des Moines. John loves spending time in his woodworking shop and Pastor Alice can be found spending time with her grandchildren or reading a good book.