PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The Pittsburgh faith community and a global network of church leaders are reeling from the shock of a profound loss today. Jeff Leake, the longtime lead pastor of Allison Park Church (APC) and a pioneering figure in church planting across the Northeast, died suddenly on Sunday, February 8, 2026, following a heart attack.

The announcement was made by church leadership early Sunday afternoon, stunning a congregation that had seen their pastor active, vibrant, and ministering just hours prior. Leake, who had led the multi-campus church for over three decades, leaves behind a legacy that stretches far beyond the pews of his Hampton Township base, influencing thousands of lives through his writing, leadership academies, and non-profit work.

Breaking: A Sudden Silence in the Pulpit

The news of Pastor Leake’s passing has cast a pall over the region’s religious landscape. According to statements from Allison Park Church officials, Pastor Leake suffered a “massive cardiac event” on Sunday. Despite emergency medical efforts, he could not be revived.

The timing of his death has added to the collective shock. Just days earlier, Leake was a featured speaker at the Ignite Conference 2026, where he delivered a passionate message titled “Lead in Faith,” urging leaders to trust God’s voice even when the path isn’t clear. Attendees described him as being in “peak spiritual form,” energetic and full of vision for the future—making his sudden departure all the more difficult to comprehend.

“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved Lead Pastor, Jeff Leake, has gone to be with the Lord,” the church said in a preliminary statement. “He was a spiritual father to this house, a mentor to many, and a faithful servant of Jesus. While we grieve with hope, the pain of this sudden loss is immense.”

A Legacy of Growth and Multiplication

Jeff Leake’s tenure at Allison Park Church is a case study in visionary leadership. He assumed the role of Lead Pastor in 1991, taking the mantle from D. Ronald Bailey. At the time, APC was a respected local congregation, but under Leake’s guidance, it transformed into a regional powerhouse.

• Multi-Site Expansion: Leake steered the church toward a multi-site model long before it was a common trend. Today, Allison Park Church operates campuses across Western Pennsylvania, including locations in Hampton, Butler, Mount Nebo, North Side, and Deer Lakes.

• Church Planting: Perhaps his most enduring legacy is his obsession with “multiplication.” Leake didn’t just want to grow his church; he wanted to grow the Church. He founded Reach Northeast, a church planting network dedicated to revitalizing Christianity in the Northeastern United States. Under his direct supervision, APC parented over 30 new churches and sparked a movement that led to the creation of over 100 congregations.

Beyond the Walls: Network of Hope

Leake was adamant that faith without works was dead. This conviction led him to found the Network of Hope, a non-profit organization affiliated with the church. The Network of Hope became a critical safety net for the Greater Pittsburgh area, providing:

• Addiction Recovery: Hosting support groups and recovery programs for those battling opioid and alcohol dependency.

• Food Security: Managing food banks that fed thousands of families annually.

• Community Trauma Support: Offering grief counseling and practical aid to neighborhoods affected by violence and poverty.

“Jeff wasn’t just interested in saving souls; he was interested in saving lives,” said a local community organizer who partnered with Leake on several North Side initiatives. “He was the first one to ask, ‘How can we help?’ when disaster struck. He didn’t wait for permission to do good.”

The Teacher and Author

Beyond his administrative success, Leake was a teacher at heart. He authored more than five books, including the widely read Power for Life, which explored the theology of the Holy Spirit in a practical, accessible way. His writing often bridged the gap between intellectual theology and charismatic practice, making him a sought-after speaker at conferences worldwide. To ensure his philosophy of “Spirit-led leadership” outlived him, he established the Allison Park Leadership Academy (APLA). The academy has trained hundreds of young interns, pastors, and missionaries, sending them out to pulpits and mission fields from Wilkinsburg to Rwanda.

Personal Life: A “Family First” Pastor

Despite his global influence, Jeff Leake was known within his congregation as a grounded family man. He is survived by his wife of over 30 years, Melodie Leake, who served alongside him as the pastor over women’s ministry. Their partnership was often cited by congregants as a model of a healthy, supportive marriage in ministry. Together, they have five adult children and nine grandchildren. “Pastor Jeff often used his family as illustrations in his sermons, not to paint a perfect picture, but to show the messy, beautiful reality of walking with God,” said a longtime member. “He loved Melodie fiercely, and he was so proud of his kids. That’s what I’ll remember—him beaming when he talked about his grandkids.”

Community Reaction

Social media has been flooded with tributes from pastors, local politicians, and parishioners.

• The PennDel Ministry Network (Assemblies of God) released a statement calling Leake “a giant of the faith” and “a general in the Lord’s army who died with his boots on.”

• Local Pastors: Leaders from various denominations in Pittsburgh have expressed solidarity. “Jeff was a bridge-builder,” wrote the pastor of a neighboring Presbyterian church. “He didn’t care about the name on the door; he cared about the Kingdom.”

What’s Next?

The coming days will be challenging for Allison Park Church as they navigate this transition. The church has canceled mid-week activities to allow staff and families to grieve. Funeral Arrangements: The family has not yet released specific details regarding the funeral or memorial service. It is expected that a public celebration of life will be held at the Hampton Campus to accommodate the thousands expected to attend. The church has asked for privacy for the Leake family in the immediate aftermath and has set up a memorial fund in Jeff’s name to support the Network of Hope, continuing the work he held so dear.

Conclusion

Jeff Leake preached often about the “fragility of life” and the “urgency of the Gospel.” On Sunday, he lived out his final sermon. He leaves behind a church that is not just a building, but a movement. He leaves behind a biological family that adored him and a spiritual family that numbered in the thousands. Pittsburgh has lost a leader, but thanks to his decades of planting and mentoring, his footprint will remain visible for generations.

Rest in Peace, Jeff Leake. (Ministry Tenure: 1991 – 2026)

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In Memoriam:

• Name: Jeff Leake

• Role: Lead Pastor, Allison Park Church; Founder, Reach Northeast.

• Died: February 8, 2026.

• Cause: Heart Attack.

• Survivors: Wife Melodie, 5 children, 9 grandchildren.

• Legacy: 30+ years of leadership, 100+ churches planted, thousands of lives changed.