Allen L. Harris, Sr. was born on January 4, 1955, in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late Mr. Marvin L. and Mrs. M. Elizabeth Harris. He was born the fifth child of six siblings. November 22, 1974, is a day that will always be etched in the mind and on the heart of Bishop Harris. On this night, after attending a revival by invitation of a co-worker, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of 19. What he witnessed changed his life forever, and he excitedly began a new life in Christ. Shortly after his conversion, he joined the Tabernacle of Prayer for All People under the leadership of Dr. M. M. Terry, where he remained and served faithfully until the Holy Spirit led him further.

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Twenty years after receiving salvation, in November 1993, Bishop Harris became a member of Way of the Cross Church of God in Christ in Norfolk, Virginia, where the late Bishop Dr. Lewis E. Hines was Prelate. This great man of God believed in the family structure and taught the importance of having a balance between ministry and family. It was the continuous training and the application of teachings of practical Christian living, having the God kind of faith, and understanding the meaning of true servanthood that positioned Bishop Harris to become the First Administrative Assistant for the ministry. He served in this position from 2004 to 2006. Then assisting Pastor Chris Hines, and while serving as the Assistant Pastor, Bishop Harris desired to complete his doctoral degree and enrolled in North Carolina College of Theology. In 2009, he completed his Thesis and Doctoral Degree in Biblical Studies, graduating Cum Laude.

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In October 2008, Dr. A.L. Harris, Sr., became establishmentarian and Senior Pastor of Life Line Ministries. Services began in their home as he taught around the kitchen table and began to share the vision of the ministry with his wife then of 31 years, Elder Lovie Harris, their sons, Roland and Allen Jr., along with 5 other people. Services began to grow, and moved to the garage in their home. After only a week of having services in their garage, Bishop Harris received a phone call from a fellow pastor, who offered to share his sanctuary located at 5121 Virginia Beach Blvd in Norfolk. Life Line Ministries shared this space for six months as they continued to grow.

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On January 4, 2009, Life Line Ministries began to have worship services in the Ballroom of the Norfolk Airport Hilton. The late Bishop Barnett K. Thoroughgood became the covering for Dr. Harris and the ministry. In June 2009, Life Line Ministries secured a location at 2401 Bainbridge Blvd, in Chesapeake, Virginia, where they held services and many outreach initiatives until October 2017. Bishop Harris and Life Line Ministries are yet expanding the Kingdom of God. Bishop Harris is convinced and declares everywhere he goes that he “serves one of the greatest churches in the world.”

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He is the Establishmentarian and President of the Citywide Pastors Crusade Association (CPCA), an association of pastors and churches with a collaborative effort to win the lost while building up the Saints by way of tent revivals, street meetings, seminars, and conferences that now reach as far as Kaleen Texas and Florida.

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Dr. Harris is a teacher at heart, and in 2017 served as an Adjunct Professor at Priesthood Seminary of Faith World Ministries. Bishop Harris currently provides spiritual covering for many sons and daughters in ministry while motivating and mentoring. He now serves on the Executive Board of the Hampton Roads Ecumenical Council of Bishops (HRECB) as Secretary.

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Bishop Harris and Pastor Lovie Harris have submitted to the spiritual covering and leadership of Bishop Carl J. Vann, Sr. and Pastor Barbara Vann. They are godly proud to be a part of the awesome fellowship of New Life Alliance of Churches, where he serves as secretary. He is committed to spreading the Gospel of Jesus and growing as a servant.