The late Rt. Rev. Sarah Frances Davis
Bishop Sarah Francis Davis Covenant Keepers and Intercessors
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.
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.
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.
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.
