Harold Davis
Those who are able to learn from and utilize life’s experiences will have greater opportunities for success. This has certainly been true of the life and work of Reverend Dr. Harold D. Davis. His life experiences thoroughly prepared him for his life’s work.
Harold D. Davis set out to acquire life experiences that would help him accomplish his personal and professional goals. He was determined to be a business owner, landowner, and professional musician. At age 10 he began studying guitar and by age 15 he was teaching over 50 students a week. After graduation from Charleston High School (WV) in 1971, he went to West Virginia State College in Institute and studied music education, while leading a number of professional popular bands. He graduated from college in 1976, and opened his recording studio. By the time he was 25 years old, he had done much of what he set out to do.
Having achieved many of his goals, Harold D. Davis turned his attention to an area of service dear to his heart—advocating on behalf of children. From 1981-1986, Rev. Davis served as a music specialist/teacher for Champaign Unit #4 School District. To better serve his students, he enrolled at the University of Illinois and took courses toward a Master’s degree in Music Education.
In 1984, Harold Davis accepted his calling to the gospel preaching ministry. Two years later, he joined the staff at Canaan Baptist Church as the Assistant Pastor/Pastor of Youth Activities, and served for twelve years. In 2013, Rev. Davis returned to pastoral ministry and served for eleven months as pastor of Greater Holy Temple in Urbana. On March 4, 2014, Rev. Davis founded Grace Fellowship in Champaign and serves as Senior Pastor.
Since 1998, Reverend Davis has served as Executive Director of TALKS Mentoring.
His work on behalf of young people has been recognized. He is the recipient of the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative’s 3rd Ricky Birdsong Award; a Those Who Excel Award presented by the Illinois State Board of Education; the Drum Major Award from the Champaign County Commission; and the Ebony Excellence Community Activism Award from Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center. In 2014, the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative honored Rev. Davis as an Honorary Father of the Year and adopted the TALKS Mentoring Leadership Program for their initiative in public schools.
Reverend Davis holds the Master of Ministry and Doctor of Ministry degrees with honors from Bethany Theological Seminary, the Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia State College, and has authored several books, including Never Alone (Dating from the Biblical Perspective), Can I Call You Soldier? Resolved! Run (soarin’ not saggin’) and the TALKS Mentoring curriculum series. He has served on the faculty for the Moody Bible Institute’s Pastor’s Conference, and been heard nationally on radio programs.
Rev. Dr. Harold D. Davis is married to Dr. Ollie Watts Davis and they have five adult children: Kirstie and Charlie Dates, Jonathan, Ashley, and Charity; and three grandchildren, Jonathan II; Charlie II; and Claire Elisabeth.