Dr. Allen R. McFarland (D.D., D.Min.) is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Evangelical Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia. A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Pastor "Mac", is a minister of the Word of God whose journey of faithful service began in 1972 and in 1982, he accepted God’s call to become the Pastor of Calvary Evangelical Church, later named Calvary Evangelical Baptist Church.

Pastor McFarland is passionate about biblical literacy and spiritual faithfulness within his congregation as well as in higher education where he has taught undergraduate and graduate students for over two decades.  

As a bridge-builder and ministry executive, Pastor McFarland is a board member of the following organizations and institutions: Trustee at Liberty University,  Lynchburg, VA; Association of Baptist for World Evangelism (ABWE), Harrisburg, PA; Atlantic Shores Christian Schools, Virginia Beach, VA; and Kids Across America (KAA), Branson, MO. 

On November 12, 2019, he was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia.   
Among many honors for his leadership, Pastor McFarland was featured in the Black Christian News Network (BCNN1), among the Nation's 70 Most influential Black Christian History Makers who are living today and serving Jesus Christ with their various gifts and talents. 

Pastor McFarland and Doris, his wife of over 50 years, have 5 children and 16 grandchildren. 

Pastor McFarland exemplifies his passion and belief that the only road to successful Christian living is the direct application of the Word of God to one’s life. He acknowledges and is strongly persuaded that "whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17).