By: Roy Douglas Malonson
Faith, resilience, and service — these are the threads woven through the life of Suffragan Bishop David Allen Jr. His story is not just one of personal triumph but of generational purpose, rooted in the history of his family and the church he now leads.
Born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1959, David Jr. came into the world carrying both a legacy and a divine assignment. His father, David Allen Sr., was the only child of a young, orphaned mother who miraculously survived a failed abortion attempt. That miracle of survival planted a seed of faith that would later grow deep into the Allen family and eventually shape David Jr.’s own testimony.
From his earliest days, struggle and strength walked hand in hand. As an infant, David was stricken with polio, leaving him unable to walk until he was just two and a half years old. Then, in a moment his family never forgot, he stepped across the doorway of their small two-bedroom home into his father’s astonished arms. That miracle of healing did more than restore his legs; it marked the beginning of a faith that would define his life.
Looking back today as a bishop and community leader, he calls that moment a constant reminder that “regardless of the hand that life deals us, we can overcome.” It was the first of many lessons in perseverance.
Growing up as the eldest of five boys, David learned resilience from his parents. His father modeled what it meant to be both an entrepreneur and a pastor at a time when Black men rarely held such positions. “Most of what I learned from him was caught rather than taught,” Bishop Allen says. “He showed his five boys how to create our own income streams and pursue our passions.” That example left a lasting imprint. To this day, the Allen brothers each maintain multiple income streams and live free from the fear of layoffs or limited opportunities.
The family later moved to Houston, where David Sr. became Assistant Pastor of Christ Temple Apostolic Church. At just 16, David Jr. surrendered his life to Christ and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost — a turning point that gave direction to
his future. His father’s passion for the Word and for serving people shaped his own view of ministry long before he officially accepted his calling.
After graduating from M.B. Smiley High School in 1977, David attended the University of Houston and then began a 27-year career in civil and structural design. He became a Senior CAD Operator, working on projects across the United States and even spending seven months in Caracas, Venezuela.
Inspired by his father, he bought his first rental property at 19 and later became a licensed real estate agent in 1994. His career was successful, but his heart remained tied to his faith.
In 1982, David married Regina, his lifelong partner in both family and ministry. Together, they raised three children and dedicated themselves to the CTAC Children’s Ministry. Their marriage became a steady anchor as they weathered house fires, hurricanes, and family loss.
In 2004, his mother, Carol Ann Allen, passed away. That same year, he faced a devastating house fire, his daughter’s apartment fire, Hurricane Ike’s destruction, and his father’s stage four cancer diagnosis. Yet in the middle of loss and devastation, David stepped into the role of Church Administrator and helped lead CTAC through an $800,000 rebuild. It was proof of his guiding principle: When hard times come, don’t run. Lean into them and fight.
On February 20, 2010, his father installed him as Pastor of Christ Temple Apostolic Church. Just six weeks later, David Sr. passed away, leaving David Jr. to carry forward the mantle of leadership. For years, he faithfully led CTAC, carrying the same determination that had defined his life since childhood. Then came the moment that brought his journey full circle. At a national convention, in front of peers, elders, and saints from across the country, David Allen Jr. was officially elevated and appointed as Suffragan Bishop.
The boy once healed from polio, the young man shaped by storms, now stood affirmed before the world. His appointment was not just a title— it was a divine confirmation that God had chosen him for such a time as this.
That leadership has been tested again and again. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey destroyed his home and car, leaving him and Regina displaced for eight months. Even while rebuilding their own lives, they led CTAC in serving hundreds of families in the Kashmere Gardens community. “Harvey was the most trying storm of all,” he recalls. “I had more questions than answers. But God was faithful to bring us through — and to bring us out better than when we went in.” That trial deepened his compassion for others, making his ministry not just one of service, but of true relatability and understanding.
Today, Bishop Allen continues to expand his reach. Under his guidance, CTAC launched the L.I.F.E. Organization CDC,
a nonprofit serving Houston’s Black community. It operates testing centers for GEDs, teacher certifications, insurance and real estate licensing, and more.
The organization also partners with agencies that serve battered women, children with disabilities, and families in need during the holidays.
Looking ahead, Bishop Allen believes the greatest challenge for the Black church is staying connected to changing communities. Many congregants now live outside the neighborhoods where they worship, and in areas like Kashmere Gardens, the demographics are shifting from predominantly Black to more Hispanic. Still, he remains committed to teaching and modeling core values: strong Black male leadership, entrepreneurship, family structure, and community support.
When asked how he wants to be remembered, Bishop Allen’s answer is simple: “As a man who practiced what he preached — leading my family first, then my church, and striving to be a living epistle known and read of all men.”
From a little boy healed of polio to a bishop guiding his congregation with courage and compassion, his life is a testament to storms weathered, struggles endured, and miracles received. His journey is a reminder to all: put God first, fight for what matters, lean into the hard times with courage — and trust that faith and perseverance will always lead to miracles.
