Thirsty For God Church: those that served: Pastor Cliff Davis' Air drive practicing ...

a group of people sitting at a table: Pastor John Clifford Davis Jr. with parishioners of Millbury Federated Church on Sunday [T&G Staff/Christine Peterson]

MILLBURY – within the fall of 1972, John Clifford Davis Jr. was attending Worcester Junior school. however school did not convey him the delight or pleasure in regards to the future that many college students event. in its place, he was disgusted with the aid of immoral conduct that permeated the ambiance.

one day, when he stepped outside and observed a sign for the U.S. Air force recruiting office down the road, he decided it turned into time for a change. On a whim, he went to the office and enlisted.

That impulsive determination turned into the catalyst for a life of service. Now the Methodist pastor of Millbury Federated Church, he's lived a goal-crammed existence rooted within the time he spent serving the nation within the 1970s.

Davis was educated to head to Vietnam, but the war became practically over, so he became despatched to Vandenberg Air drive Base in California. He was in the beginning a member of the protection police that guarded the bottom's verify missiles. Later, he was transferred to the motor pool. in view that the West Brookfield native didn't have any family unit or chums in the enviornment, a Lutheran chaplain cautioned he be a part of a fellowship neighborhood.

a man standing in a room: Pastor John Clifford Davis Jr. at Millbury Federated Church [T&G Staff/Christine Peterson]

"They have been in fact candy americans," Davis recalled of the ecumenical Christian community. "They helped me be mindful what it become to have a personal relationship with Jesus."

As they studied passages from the Bible, the younger man's existence became indelibly changed. no longer only did he meet his spouse, Beverly, who turned into a part of the Air drive communications group on the base, he found a deep, abiding religion. He mentioned that it became then that he gave his existence to Christ.

It become also in that group that he became impressed in new approaches. He would delve deep into the that means of each Bible selection through going to a native Christian bookstore and soliciting for thoughts for books by using theologians corresponding to E.M. Bounds. He would then share what he discovered with the neighborhood contributors, who were enthusiastic.

"i used to be getting excited; God was working that in my heart," mentioned Davis, who goes via the name Cliff. He got here to the realization that "i know here is what God wants me to do. My name is to be a pastor."

After leaving the Air force in the mid-1970s, Davis and his wife all started their family, which now contains 5 children. Davis achieved the school schooling he had begun again whereas in the provider. He went on to achieve a master of Divinity degree from the Bangor Theological Seminary. Ordained in 1984, he then spent seven years as a missionary in the Maine Seacoast Missionary Society earlier than returning to Massachusetts in 1991. seeing that then he is been pastor of the Millbury church.

The practising he bought in the Air force has been beneficial in assisting him to satisfy challenges of being a pastor. "it's fashioned the manner I preach," Davis observed. He referred to that in addition to growing to be up in a fine domestic, with a father who served in the U.S. military, being in the Air drive helped him to hone his capacity to reply in preference to react during a disaster, and it helped instill in him the importance of "being the greatest you will also be and retaining a lifetime of fact and morality."

He noted, "there are times when you simply want that reserve of knowledge that discipline within the militia brings."

The tenacity necessary to prevail within the military is additionally something Davis has utilized for a special church challenge. In February, for the twenty fourth 12 months, he and a gaggle of young adults and adults will embark on a weeklong mission commute to rebuild a church it truly is in want of restore. the primary mission travel turned into launched after a church prayer community that was led with the aid of Davis heard about churches being burned.

"We knew God changed into calling us to rebuild church buildings that had been burned as a result of racial hatred," Davis defined. "via these evil fires, God has labored first rate and brought americans collectively."

Davis mentioned that besides seeing how wonderfully God gives for the ministry, that experience of harmony is likely one of the things that makes the travel so significant to him. He has considered people from one denomination overcome prejudices that they had in opposition t other denominations once they see individuals come collectively to serve God and support every other.

"it may possibly simplest be done as a result of the love of Christ inside someone," Davis stated. "there's a lot more love in the country than hatred."

Davis and the congregation also have felt referred to as to aid churches that have been damaged with the aid of storms. usually 18 to forty two americans, some from outside the congregation, go on the shuttle. costs are lined by by using donations and fundraising movements. members consist of professional contractors who want to use their knowledge to aid others, however some participants shouldn't have any building adventure. Davis is specially pleased with the young adults who're a part of the mission.

"make sure you see it; they have no idea the difference between a hammer and a screwdriver," Davis joked. however, he pointed out, after they be taught new abilities, they work collectively and are modified. "it's terrific to look them, year after yr, mature in such a means."

sooner or later, as a pastor, Davis observed, he loves to see the "lights go on" for people, that allows you to see that God is at work of their lives and on the earth. As both a pastor and a veteran, he additionally loves to see individuals work for peace.

whereas he advises individuals to help the nation's servicemen and servicewomen by way of writing them letters, sending them care packages and assisting their households, he believes the most fulfilling approach to support the troops is by using attempting to evade battle.

"change our way of life; be the one," Davis advised. "do not stay up for others to be the one. We should be accountable for making peace on the earth. Be the one who goes beyond the trickery and deceit it is so rampant."

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talk over with Telegram & Gazette, Worcester, Mass. at www.telegram.com

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