From the archives: Pastor James Davis with the Eternal Life Harvest Center shares his vision for Knoxville. Submitted by Meghan Davis
James H. Davis, pastor of Eternal Life Harvest Center, touched many people in his life. He received several awards from Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero for his leadership and service to his community; has been recognized for efforts in gang mediation and for curbing gang violence; was named “Man of the Year” at the Black Men and Women’s Expo (1996), was awarded the “Danny Mayfield Champion of Change” (2005) and received the Distinguished Service Award for his leadership (2008).
Pastor Davis died after a long illness. But, according to his church's Facebook page, one day before his 61st birthday.
“Praise the Lord!" the statement read. "On behalf of the First Lady Jackie Davis and family, Eternal Life Harvest Center, its leadership and members we want to inform you that Pastor James H. Davis received his everlasting reward and went from this life to be with the Lord, Monday, Dec. 11, 2017. Please pray for the family in this time. God is still faithful and Pastor Davis’s legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched. More information to come.”
Rogero said in statement: “Rev. Davis was a man of deep faith who dedicated his life to serving others. Over the years, his ministry and community outreach touched the lives of many Knoxvillians. He will be greatly missed.”
Bishop Kevin Perry, pastor of Word of Life Ministries, called Pastor Davis a “trailblazer and innovator,” stating that he walked by faith, not by sight.
When Perry began his ministry in May 2001, he recalls Pastor Davis reaching out to him, providing direction and helping to set the tone in Knoxville for faith ministries.
“He was a great man of God and has done so many wonderful things while living his motto 'making an impact from the inside out,' " Perry said. “He always took time to meet with others, and I was grateful to have been able to spend time with him, talking about the direction he wanted to see the city move. If I could have related Pastor Davis to someone in the Bible, it would be Joseph the dreamer and David the giant slayer. He was both of those and he did things that had not been done before, with a spirit of excellence. He was a man of great character.”
Perry said Davis’ death has left a huge void in the ministry and community.
“We lost one of God’s generals," Perry said. "He was not just a leader. Heaven gained a giant in the kingdom.”
Pastor Phillip Hamilton with Children of God Ministries called Davis a visionary in his own right.
“He had a heart for the community, to make it a better place," Hamilton said. "He loved God and wanted people to have better.”
Church members and missionaries Evans and Ashley Kariuki were married by Pastor Davis and served as youth ministers at the church for approximately 15 years.
"Pastor Davis practiced what he preached," Evans said. "He loved people and that love was felt in every corner of the city. His vision was to raise up leaders to make an impact from the inside out and the church will carry on his vision. Pastor Davis has prepared us as leaders."
Ashley Kariuki added, "Pastor Davis loved people. He was about empowering people. He was a peace-loving man and a strong leader."
The pastor’s Facebook page was flooded with condolences and prayers from church members and friends, stating how Knoxville is a much better place because of his work, how he will be missed. One Facebook post said it simply with this statement — “I am a life he touched."
Viewing will be from noon to 5 p.m. at Eternal Life Harvest Center West, 1801 Western Avenue on Friday, December 15, with a tribute service from 5-7 p.m.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, December 16, at Eternal Life Harvest East, 2410 Martin Luther King Avenue with a celebration service to follow immediately. .