Allen grew up nominally Lutheran in the Midwest. Although he identified as Christian his entire life, he was addicted to porn, sex, and drinking. He tried to be set free from his sexual addictions through religion, but religion did nothing. Allen married Jen, who was a stripper, and after Jen survived a traumatic experience she encountered the Holy Spirit. Through his wife's radical conversion, Allen's life and faith was challenged until he too had an encounter with the Holy Spirit and was forever changed.