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The Times photo
by Steven Furlow
Pastor John Davis has returned to the church where he found his faith
this time to head of the congregation.
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Davis delivers
opening prayer
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The Times
Rep. Kathy Kreag Richardson (R-Noblesville)
invited Senior Pastor John Davis of the First Christian Church of
Noblesville to the Indiana House last week in order to open the
legislative session with prayer. Davis
was ordained into the church in 2004 and recently became a senior pastor
on December 1, 2009.
Richardson said
she was honored to have him at the Statehouse to lead the House of Representatives
in prayer before beginning their duties for the day.
"The prayer is an important part of session," she said.
"It reminds us of our duties as representatives of the people of Indiana. I was
honored to have my Pastor, John Davis, here at the Statehouse."
Many representatives invite their own spiritual leaders to lead the
invocation on session days. It is not only an opportunity to offer
guidance to the representatives that day, but a chance for the leaders of
Indiana's spiritual communities to experience what happens at the
Statehouse.
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By Steven Furlow
Staff
Writer
First
Christian Church has played a major role in the life of John Davis. A
resident of Noblesville from 1982 to 2004 he first attended services in 1990,
covering the message for Chanel 19 at the time. Nearly two decades later Davis has moved from
behind the camera covering the sermons to giving them.
"It's pretty exciting. It took me 20 years to get from the back to the
front," Davis, now a pastor at the church, said with enthusiasm. "I
hadn't attended church in many years until I experienced Christ. I came to my
faith accidentally."
When he's formally installed as the church's new Senior Pastor during the 10
a.m. service Sunday, he'll take another step helping others find the joy and
wonder he has through the love of God.
Davis said
gradually, week by week, the message and moments he was initially just
covering began to have an effect on him.
"My life began to change," he said. "I had this image in my
mind of Christ with his hand out saying 'I caught you.'"
It was the first thought of many that along with lots of prayer led him to a
life in the church. He pointed out his relationship with Christ started at a
low point in his life and through the relationship has turned his life around
and is looking to provide a good example to others of how they can and why
they should make room in their life for the Lord.
"It's difficult to describe, it was a strange warming of the
heart," he said of the awakening. "You don't earn a relationship
with Christ, the love is unconditional. When you need it, it's there. That's
what inspires me."
Davis was
ordained into the church at First Christian in 2004 and since December has
been serving as senior past at the church. Sunday's celebration is a way to
further welcome him to the First Christian family and welcome him back to the
city. Davis has served as pastor recently at
churches in Markleville and Greenfield and while they were positive
experiences, was looking forward to coming back home.
"My family loves Noblesville, they're really happy to be back," he
said.
Davis said
there are big plans to grow the church to new members while at the same time
solidifying those already deeply involved in the community. Growing First
Christian could not be done without the fertile foundation already
established.
"The congregation is very receptive to new people here," he said.
"They get involved quickly. No one feels obligated."
Davis said already a high point of returning to the church as a
pastor has been being p resent when others dedicate their lives to Christ,
much like he did at the church 20 years ago.
"It's very uplifting," he said.
Interest in the church, its activities and becoming involved has invigorated
Davis who said he has been especially impressed with the interest from young
people at First Christian.
"Young people take Christ seriously," he said. "They want a
chance to serve. The beauty of God is there are many ways to the kingdom.
This is what church is about, reaching out to your brothers and sisters. Our
hope is to do more."
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