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SALT LAKE CITY — Worshipers filled Calvary Baptist Church on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the "faithful and unselfish shepherd" at the church's helm for the past 37 years.
The Rev. France A. Davis received a standing ovation Sunday afternoon following a service in which the church's longtime leader did his best to stay out of the spotlight.
The Rev. Davis didn't want his 37th anniversary as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church to detract from his congregation's remembrance of Christ's crucifixion and the celebration of their lord's rising three days later.
"We thought we would put the resurrection first and let our celebration come along beside," the Rev. Davis said, with his arm around his wife, Willene.
We thought we would put the resurrection first and let our celebration come along beside.
–The Rev. France A. Davis
A service scheduled for Sunday afternoon to honor the Rev. and Sister Davis was canceled by the pastor, who preferred that his congregation focus on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and spend time with their families and loved ones.
The Rev. Davis didn't even offer the sermon on this Sunday. Those duties were passed on to Minister Rob Merrills, who proclaimed Jesus Christ's resurrection as "historical and religious fact."
"We know that He's resurrected," Merrills said. "We know that He lives."
But the Rev. and Sister Davis were never far from their flock's hearts.
Merrills called the Rev. Davis "truly a faithful and unselfish shepherd, set apart and planting the seed, which is Jesus."
"He's one of the best," church member Keith Flowers said. "He's a very unique man, and we're very blessed to have him as our leader."
Jackie Robertson, the church's financial officer, said the church has done its best over the years to make sure the Rev. and Sister Davis' needs have been met.
"But we haven't always taken care of your wants," Robertson told the couple.
He then surprised the Rev. and Sister Davis with a certificate of appreciation and $10,000 from church members to send the couple to Israel next year.
"We know that next year you want to go to the Holy Land," Robertson said. "We know that in today's economy, it costs a little bit of money to go to the Holy Land. ... So we decided we would pay for you and Sister Davis to go to the Holy Land. We thought it would be a nice 37th anniversary gift."
Upon receiving the gift, the Rev. Davis struggled to find the words to thank the congregation.
"That's a generous, generous, generous," he said, trailing off. "That's a generous gift. Thank you."
Following the service, the Rev. Davis praised church members for their kind and giving nature.
"They appreciate the efforts we put forth," he said, "and because of that, they're willing to give liberally. We thank them for their gifts."
The Rev. Davis has served as the full-time pastor of Calvary Baptist Church since 1974. The Georgia native came to Utah in 1972 as a teaching fellow and a graduate student.
Though he intended to stay only one year, those plans changed when the congregation asked him to stay, he said.
"It's been an enjoyable time," the Rev. Davis said. "Having good, cooperative people and having a community that would embrace us has been great."
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