Pastor Curtis Downing hails from Winston-Salem, NC, where he is the middle child of late Vanderlyn Downing and the only son of the late Curtis Clemmons Jr. To know Curtis is to know his comic nature, being punctual and hardworking, and a man after God’s own heart. At the age of seven, he relocated to Tallahassee, Florida, to live with his great-uncle, a schoolteacher. During his time in private school, Curtis began learning to play the piano and developing his public speaking skills. He returned to Rural Hall, NC, at the age of twelve, attended Northwest Middle School, and graduated from North Forsyth High School in the class of 1999. In his words, “’99 was a good year.”

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Curtis grew up in Phillips Chapel, under the guidance of former pastor Reverend Wallington, where he accepted Christ shortly after graduating from high school. Although he faced challenges during his young adulthood, including associating with the wrong crowd and making unwise decisions that led to being in and out of jail from ages 16 to 24, he always felt a divine calling on his life. He would often ask his friends, “Don’t y'all believe we should be doing more in life?” As he grew closer to God, Curtis began reading books and studying scripture at a local Christian bookstore, “Master's Loft,” and receiving dreams and visions from God, which he had yet to understand.

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In 2014, a close friend and co-worker invited him to church, genuinely caring for him and encouraging him to keep attending. Later that year, Curtis joined Fresh Fire Worship Center under the leadership of former pastor, now Bishop Phillip McCloud Sr. He served as head security and was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in March 2017. He later took on the role of Youth Pastor and became an Elder in the Apostolic Faith in November 2019.

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In May 2020, God led Curtis and his wife to join Great Commission Community Church under Apostle Gloria Samuels. Although it was a challenging transition and he did not fully understand God's plan for him at that time, his apostle assured him that “the assignment may change, but the calling never does.” Curtis Downing served as Youth Pastor for four years and was appointed Associate Pastor of Great Commission Community Church (GC3) in May 2024 and worked as a mentor and led the Men's Ministry.

 

In October 2025 while on vacation The Lord spoke to Pastor Downing and confirming the time was now to step out on faith and move forward in the called role of Senior Pastor of Deliverance Point in which the ministry name was given 5 years Prior.  The ministry will have its first service in January 2026. The yearly theme "Unshakable Foundation."

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In addition to his pastoral duties, Curtis is a forklift driver material handler and currently attending seminary school at Vintage Bible College. He is also a business owner of Ten Oh Two alongside his beautiful wife, Nichole Downing, aka Boo Thang with whom he celebrates 10 years of marriage with. They are proud parents of two remarkable daughters, Nijah and Keyavia Downing, and are grandparents to twin boys, Jai and Jace.

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Pastor Curtis Downing eagerly anticipates the plans and purposes that God has for his life. A favorite scripture that inspires him is Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Pastor Downing’s motto will forever be My willingness, and character will always speak for itself”.