THE HISTORY

The late Rt. Rev. Sarah Frances Davis was a woman of great faith who believed in the power of

prayer. Her journey in formal prayer ministry began when she was appointed District Prayer

Leader by one of her ministry mentors, the late Presiding Elder X.L. Williams. Under the

leadership of the late Dr. George Lovelace Champion Sr., Executive Director, Department of

Worship and Evangelism (now the Department of Church Growth and Development), Bishop

Sarah was appointed as the Assistant Director of Prayer for the Connectional Church in 1994 and

in 1997, was appointed as the Connectional Director of Prayer.

Bishop Sarah’s election to the Episcopacy on July 6, 2004, only heightened her commitment to

prayer and the necessity for prayer on a global scale. Affectionately known as the “Prayer

Bishop” because of her consistent emphasis on the importance of prayer in the life of the Church,

she organized numerous prayer ministries and sponsored annual prayer conclaves. The spiritual

discipline she loved most to teach and preach about was prayer.

She served as the Chairperson for the Prayer Committee for the 48th Quadrennial Session of the

General Conference of the A.M.E. Church. As a result of her leadership, the first Connectional

Day of Prayer in African Methodism was held April 13, 2008 and is now an annual observance

in the A.M.E. Church. April 13th was chosen because it is reflective of when Bishop Richard

Allen walked out of St. George Church and started the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Bishop Sarah was passionate about Kingdom building. Accordingly, at the time of her transition,

2013, she was the Chair of the Commission on Church Growth and Development AME Church.

During her tenure in the 16th District, she brought 400-plus members from the country of France

into the A.M.E. connection, expanding the influence of the gospel and African Methodism

throughout Europe Ever the trailblazer and “out of the box” thinker, Bishop Sarah made it possible for members of African Methodism worldwide to experience the rich culture and history of the members of the 16th Episcopal District and to the amazing people of this District.

 

The BSFDCK & I builds upon Bishop Sarah’s phenomenal spirit-filled, spirit-led legacy.

In 2012, Bishop Sarah approached The Rev. Dorisalene Hughes, to seek her assistance in

propelling the Connectional Prayer Ministry to even greater heights. Bishop Sarah then

developed a Connectional Prayer Ministry Executive Leadership Team for the Quadrennial. This

Leadership Team comprised of Presiding Elder Dr. LaTisha Smith, Evangelist Dr. Valeria

Eloby-Slade, The Rev. James Hailey, The Rev. Dorisalene Hughes, The Rev. Dr. Roy Jones Jr.,

Exhorter Danita Mosley, The Rev. Greg Nettles, Evangelist Faith Walker Bean, and Dr. Sandra

Whitley, were charged with the task and responsibility to establish the Connectional Prayer

Ministry in all the Episcopal Districts and to ensure that each District has significant

representation within the Ministry. In the ensuing years since her passing, Bishops E. Earl

McCloud, A. J. Richardson, and the late McKinley Young added members to the Executive

Leadership Team.

 

As it had been done in 2000, 2004 and 2008, the Connectional Prayer Ministry is always charged

to provide prayer covering for every General Conference. This includes but is not limited to on

the ground prayer covering and “Beyond the Walls” prayer support for Street Ministry

Evangelism Teams, the creation of on-site, 24-hour prayer rooms, the development of times of

teaching on prayer facilitated by selected Bishops of the Church, and the facilitation of early

morning prayer prior to the start of each morning business session.

 

The BSFDCK & I rests under the Department of Church Growth and Development AME Church

and is responsible to and reports to the Executive Director of the Department, who in turn

answers to the Department’s Commission Chair, the Commission Chair’s Designated

Representative, and/or The Appropriate Episcopal Designee.

 

We have been privileged to receive tremendous Episcopal leadership from The Rt. Rev. Vashti

M. McKenzie, The Rt. Rev. E. Earl McCloud, The Rt. Rev. A. J. Richardson, The Rt. Rev. Harry

Seawright, The Rt. Rev. McKinley Young (deceased), and yes, The Rt. Rev. Sarah Frances

Davis, in whose memory this Connectional Prayer Ministry is honored to receive as its name.

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