Our Leadership
The Founder and President
Bishop A.L. Downing
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 Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Charlotte Campus) in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Downing began his ministry at Macedonia Church of Christ, Holy Disciples, where he delivered his first sermon at the age of eighteen.
In 1989, he taught as a Professor at Winston-Salem Bible College in Winston-Salem, NC.
In January 1998, he became a chaplain in the United States Army, fulfilling a promise he had made to the Lord. Dr. Downing served in the military for twenty-four years. 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 also received the Legion of Merit Medal. Dr. Downing founded and serves as senior pastor of Living Faith Christian Center (LFCC), a multicultural, non-denominational church. He also established a School of Theology in the Philippines and has numerous churches affiliated with A. L. Downing Ministry.
Chancellor
Dr. Inza Feimster Downing was born in Asheville, North Carolina, to the late William Howard Feimster and Annie Mae Feimster. Dr. Downing graduated from Asheville High School in Asheville, North Carolina, in 1972 and enrolled at Winston-Salem State University, where she earned a BS Degree in Intermediate Education in 1976 and later earned her degree in Elementary Education in 1983. She obtained a master’s degree in education from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
Later in life, she enrolled in Living Faith School of Theology, where she earned a master’s degree in biblical studies and later a doctoral degree. Dr. Downing was given ministerial license in September 2016 and was ordained in March 2017 by Bishop A.L. Downing at Living Faith Christian Center. She currently serves as the Executive Pastor at Living Faith Christian Center, where her husband is the Senior Bishop. Rev. Downing is married to Bishop A.L. Downing. She is a mother and grandmother. Dr. Downing also co-authored a book titled “We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight,” and she wrote a year-long journal, a companion novel to the “Walk by Faith and Not by Sight” book.
One of her favorite verses is Isaiah 40:31.
Dr. Inza J. Downing
Vice Chancellor
Dr. Jean Michelle Guider was born in Yonkers, New York, to the late MSG (retired) David Bannister and Lola Bannister. She graduated from Carthage Central School in Carthage, New York, in 1987.
Dr. Guider retired from working at Caro Federal Credit Union after 23 years. She is currently working alongside her husband in the family business at J&J Electric LLC. Dr. Guider received her preaching license from Bishop A. L. Downing in September 2016 at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Elgin, SC. Bishop A. L. Downing later ordained her in March 2017 at Living Faith Christian Center.
Reverend Guider received her Master of Theology in Biblical Studies on July 20, 2020, at Living Faith School of Theology. She received her Doctoral Degree in Ministry in 2024. Dr. Guider shares her life with Deacon Joel Guider, Jr. Together, they are proud parents of three children, one granddaughter and one grandson.
Dr. Michelle Guider