It was a high day for members of New Bethel Church in Columbus, Ga., on Sabbath, October 6, 2018. Crawford Humphrey, former pastor, had retired three months earlier, and at last a new pastor was preparing to take leadership. The South Atlantic Conference representative, Ralph Franklin, shared greetings from William L. Winston, Conference president, with the congregation, followed by the sound of the shofar, and the invitation for Stephan J. Davis to stand with his wife, Patricia, and come to the podium, along with all local, active elders and their spouses. It was a joyful sight as Franklin read the litany for the pastoral installation.
Davis is a native of Newark, N.J., and he learned to serve the Lord while living in Marion, S.C. He has been married for 30 years to the former Patricia Hill of Manning, S.C. Their union gave birth to two daughters, Stephanie Joye and Alexandria. Davis holds a bachelor of science degree from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, S.C., and a master of divinity from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich. He has a humble spirit, yet not without a passionate, demonstrative, and proven ability to lead. He has pastored 10 churches during the past 25 years, and his previous church was Ebenezer Church in Augusta, Ga.
Following his Spirit-filled message, one person came forth. The service was followed with a welcoming reception in a fall-colored, decorative fellowship hall where the Davises were showered with gifts, and a tasty vegetarian meal was provided for all.
South Atlantic | March 2019
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