Alvin Leonard Howard

Born on April 26, 1938, in Live Oak, Florida

He was a Missionary to the unborn and the unwed mothers.

Be hold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh is there anything too hard for me?

Jeremiah 32:37

Husband ~ Dad ~ Pastor ~ Papa ~ Grandpa ~ Great-Grandpa ~ Uncle ~ Friend ~ Missionary to the Unborn

“Leonard”, as he was known by his family, was born in Florida near the Georgia border in the spring of 1938, in a little-known town called Live Oak. He was a little tyke, with twinkly eyes, and a happy demeanor, in spite of having lost his mother at the tender age of 3. He grew up to have a sense of humor, a love of people, and be a great storyteller. When his young mother died, his family hired a babysitter named Mary Bell who always watched over him, and was there for him the rest of her life. In those days, there were social barriers, but neither of them cared that one had one skin color and one had another color. It didn’t matter then, or now. Ever!

Along his journey, he met Earline, and together they were blessed with Vickie, Mollie, Allan, David, and Robert. Years later, he met Judy—the love of his life—during a season when both had walked through deep personal hardship. Judy also had children from her previous marriage to Bob—Robert, Daniel, and Jeff—and together they lovingly blended their families. In time, their circle of love grew even wider as they welcomed Joshua, Daryl, Jason, and Geri into their hearts, and added James at age five to complete their Howard-Hawks family. Yes, you’ve counted correctly—13 children in all. From that legacy have come 32 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren (not even counting spouses and significant others!), and 8 precious loved ones already in heaven.

So, how did he make ends meet? In his teens, he worked at a movie theatre with his friends, until Uncle Sam appealed to his patriotic spirit. He wanted to join the U.S. Navy, but did not meet the weight requirement, as he was a skinny 17-year-old. So what was his plan? He decided he would make himself a little bulkier. He ate bananas - pounds and pounds of them - to qualify, and was able to serve two years abroad. After serving in his Coxswain position, he was honorably discharged, he then went to work for General Motors as a brake tester for many years. To further make ends meet for his family, he made personal signs, participated in swap meets and even raised quail and silky chickens to sell the eggs to local restaurants and specialty markets.

But in 1968, after a co-worker shared what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus, he surrendered his life to Jesus while driving home on the Santa Monica freeway--and never looked back. Shortly after that, he started going to church with his family, and became the janitor, then drove a bus to pick up kids for Sunday school. Eventually, he became the Bus Director of 8 buses, before he felt God’s call on his life. After going to seminary, he became the pastor of a little Baptist church in Downey. There, he evangelized and held prayer meetings and healing services. He was always making friends along the way and never tired of the things that he felt led by the Lord to do, even if it seemed to challenge the norm.

His love for the little ones unknowingly began early in his life, but became actionable at a prayer meeting in Los Angeles, when he felt the Lord tell him to do something about a travesty only a few were willing to take on at that time—Abortion. With Judy at his side, the fight for the unborn babies and their mothers began on a street corner in Downey in the early 1980s. Pastor Al was not trying to harass anyone—he was only trying to save the babies, not just with words, but in a very tangible way. And isn’t that the Pastor Al we all know today? Thus, what began with one pregnant mom taken into their own home, evolved into what is now His Nesting Place.

The mission was clear… though he could never have imagined, in those early days, that this would become his life’s ordained calling. And with a big family and a big purpose, all of us would learn what it meant to share this remarkable man with the world he was called to serve. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” He lived those words. His journey required real sacrifice—often quiet, often costly, and not always seen from the outside. Yet through it all, he loved his family deeply, in the very best way he knew how, even while carrying the weight of the mantle placed on his life. And perhaps one of his greatest gifts was the simplest one: bringing each family member before Our Heavenly Father every single morning, without fail. A gesture that might seem small to some, but in truth, it was spiritually immeasurable—a covering, a blessing, and a legacy that continues far beyond this moment.

And now his ‘love in action’ mission is being passed to the next generation—to continue to save the babies! Through His Nesting Place, he has helped save countless little ones, and have helped their mothers create better lives for themselves. Mothers’ broken hearts have been nurtured and taught to rise above their circumstances, not just for themselves but also their children. Pastor Al has fought political foes and the spew of hate for those who do not yet understand what harm they are causing to their voiceless children and themselves and to their legacies.

If you knew Pastor Al in any capacity, you knew him as a man shaped by godly character—steadfast, humble, and devoted. He walked out his faith not as a perfect man, but as a real one, just like the rest of us. His life was marked by sacrifice, unwavering trust in the Lord, and a willingness to serve even when the path was difficult. Yes, his life and his work wasn’t without its challenges, mistakes, and even criticism at times. But the true measure of a life is found in its fruit, and his legacy now speaks louder than anything else could. We believe God gave him a “mega church” of a different kind—one built not of buildings or numbers, but of transformed lives, rescued families, and generations forever changed.

Only God could have known how fully your name, “Lion hearted Friend,” would be lived out in this life. Well done, good and faithful servant, Alvin Leonard Howard.

The family and ministry of Al Howard kindly invites you to honor his life by making a one-time or ongoing tribute gift to His Nesting Place. Your generosity will help continue his compassionate legacy of saving and supporting mothers and their babies, carrying his spirit of care and hope forward.

https://www.hisnestingplace.org/donate