Born in Plymouth, North Carolina, Dr. Albert L. Downing graduated from Plymouth High School. He is the first African American male to graduate from Roanoke Bible College in Elizabeth City, NC (now Mid-Atlantic Christian University). He received a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Downing began his ministry at the Macedonia Church of Christ, Holy Disciples, where he delivered his first sermon at age 18. After graduating from Roanoke Bible College (presently Mid-Atlantic Christian University), he pastored Mt. Hebron Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) for five years before joining the U.S. Navy.

In 1989, he left the Navy to become a Professor at Winston-Salem Bible College in Winston-Salem, NC. He later began teaching in the public school system while serving as pastor of the Mt Sinai A.M.E. Zion Church in Mocksville, NC. He was later moved to the third-largest church in the District, Bethania A.M.E. Zion Church in Bethania, NC, where he met his lovely wife, Dr. Inza Jones Downing. In January 1998, he left to become a chaplain in the United States Army, fulfilling a promise he had made to the Lord. Dr. Downing served for twenty-four years in the Military. He served three years as an enlisted Soldier in the United States Army; three years as a Chaplain in the United States Navy at Camp Pendleton, CA; and eighteen years as a United States Army Chaplain. As a United States Army Chaplain, he served fourteen months deployed in Iraq and received the Bronze Star Medal. He was also awarded the Legion of Merit. Dr. Downing is the founder and senior pastor of Living Faith Christian Center (LFCC), a multicultural and non-denominational church.

He is also the founder and President of Living Faith School of Theology and is an Endorsing Agent for Military Chaplains. After retiring from military service as a Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Downing served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Elgin, SC. During that time, world-renowned speakers such as Dr. Bill Winston, Jesse Duplantis, and Bishop Paul Morton spoke at the church. Additionally, noted singers such as Jekalyn Carr and Travis Greene were guest singers and speakers. Dr. Downing was consecrated to the office of the Bishopric on October 24, 2020. He is also the founder of A. L. Downing Ministries, in partnership with churches worldwide. He is the author of the books “Launch Out on God's Word, first and second editions. He also co-authored the book “We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight”. All books are available on Amazon.