BISHOP LANCE L. DAVIS
Bishop Lance Davis received a call to Christian Ministry in 1991. He served faithfully under the leadership of Rev. Craig Melvin Smith at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago and then under Apostle Henry M. Williamson at Carter Temple C.M.E. Church in Chicago. In 1994 he was assigned by Apostle Doty I. Isom to serve as pastor of the J. Claude Allen C.M.E. Church (JCA) in Dixmoor, Illinois. Bishop Davis began this work, his first pastorate, with a small congregation of 45 active members and an annual operating budget of $35,000. God, however, had greater plans for JCA. During Bishop Davis’ tenure, the membership grew to approximately 1,000 with an annual operating budget of half a million dollars.
Bishop Davis’ unwavering love and commitment to God, coupled with his business acumen, allowed the ministry of JCA to reach unimaginable horizons. With only a few faithful volunteers, Bishop Davis launched an exemplary One Church One School program in the South Suburbs, starting at Rosa Parks Middle School in Dixmoor. In a few short years, JCA had partnered with seven schools and had a roster of over 40 active volunteers. This strong community focus led to the development of two dynamic mentoring ministries at JCA. The Boys to Men Breakfast Ministry and the Essence Ministry for Girls were ways for men and women to provide much needed guidance to the youth residing in the South Suburban communities. While serving at JCA, Bishop Davis also instituted a Rites of Passage summer program. Nearly 150 children were given the opportunity to spend four days in the wilderness where they learned the importance of living a life of integrity and Christian character as they transitioned into adulthood.
In his quest to fulfill his calling in ministry, Bishop Lance Davis journeyed to the continent of Africa in March, 2003. On this 15-day Hajj (a pilgrimage experience), God revealed the answer to some of his questions. Two of these questions were, “What if the current state of the church does not really line up with God’s plan?” and, “Have the people of God fallen into a state of lethargy where they no longer have a heart to serve God but have become self-serving?” At the same time God gave Bishop Davis the answers to these difficult questions, he also commissioned him with an Apostolic call. Upon returning to the United States, Bishop Davis answered the call by becoming the overseer of New Zion Christian Fellowship and New Zion Ministries.
The first meeting of New Zion Christian Fellowship was held at the Davis’ home. Over 60 people who confirmed the vision were in attendance. Bishop Davis’ initial plans were to secure a space that would accommodate 35-40 people. But after this first meeting, it was clear that more space would be required. Bishop Davis searched with great effort for a suitable location, finally agreeing to temporarily lease the Dolton Expo Center in Dolton, Illinois until the “right” place was found.
On August 3rd, the first official worship service of New Zion Christian Fellowship was held at the Dolton Expo Center with nearly 200 people in attendance. Although it was clear that a large facility would be necessary to house the ministry, the Dolton Expo Center seemed out of the question. But nothing is impossible with God. On September 10th, this 80,000+ square foot facility, formerly known as the Dolton Expo Center, was successfully negotiated and is now called New Zion Christian Center. The current membership has grown to over 500 with a strong emphasis on the disciplines of worship, fellowship, discipleship, service and the mission of evangelism.
Soon after its establishment, New Zion Christian Fellowship expanded to include under its cover the More Like Christ Christian Fellowship, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. Mitty Collier who was ordained and commissioned in December, 2003. Ministries are also actively being established in West Africa.
Because of his heart for the community and his people, Bishop Davis is known and respected throughout Illinois and the United States. He is the founder and Vice President of the South Suburban Faith-Based Initiative (SSFBI), an organization committed to reaching and reinforcing the family unit, with a specific mission of protecting our children from the negative influences of society. He is also the founder of Building Our Own Communities, Inc. (BOOC), a corporation established in Illinois doing work in the United States and Africa. Along with BOOC, Bishop Davis established a Ghana West Africa company known as Transatlantic Water Development Corporation. This entity assists in the eradication of waterborne diseases within the rural populations of Greater Accra by drilling wells which provide fresh, parasite-free drinking water.