TEASERS

Now for the biography that I would have written first had I not chosen to be selfish and first write my own (selfish / first/ write my own). To avoid any future anguish for not being the one to seize such a momentous task, with a writer’s valor I volunteered to do a literary treatment on this certain leader’s life. An individual I’m confident at some point is sure to be captured by some other opportunistic writer. Moved and greatly compelled, I was convinced that at this juncture in time there was no other more rightful penman who could write & boast of being one whom at one point in time the subject crowned in his own words, his “Number One Disciple.” Therefore, it was deemed worthy to dedicate an entire chapter to the man that I’ll forever view as a man’s man, a leader’s leader… and my number one mentor: The man, Robbie Davis. This unauthorized biography is purely from the perspective of his protégé, written with the unchallenged authority of “Why not me? More importantly, Why not him? The man who bought me my first tie and taught me to tie that tie, continued to follow suit with a knot tied so tight… that our relationship has not loosened in thirty years. Allow me to share with you why he made the book and shall always be…THE MAN in My Book.

If life would allow and I could escape the ridiculed criticism of being a carbon copied copycat, this is the only cool cat I’d copy. His contagious love & likability and his infectious character causes him to attract trailing shadows without ever casting any dark shade. Stalwart leadership and a standard of steadfast friendship makes his followers want to emulate him, void of poisonous envy…only the flattered honor of imitation.

Albeit abbreviated, this unauthorized bio is still long enough to canvas the landscaped life of Robert Stanley Davis Jr. The genetic God-Seed and only man-child born of Bob and Doris Davis. Reared and raised on the meat of the word to fear God and love people, he was sisterly sandwiched between his endeared elder and younger sisters Alecia & Kishna. The three of them were their parents’ pride and joyful harmony and literally harmonized throughout their childhood household.

Unbeknownst to me, the Davis’ only begotten son would later become my spiritual father. How powerful that a preacher and church pianist would birth a prince of a PK. A junior with a senior call on his life was destined to attentively answer and make his calling and election sure. By the way, speaking of ‘Senior’, still years later I am bitterly sorry that was not in the building on the night of Nov. 11th 2016, for an evening to celebrate Bob Davis Sr. A solemnly sacred occasion, eventfully dubbed a “Night of Honor”, celebrating the Bishop’s life and legacy, full of integrity and impeccable ministry. Although I was not among the people in that packed house that night, I’m still very much among the countless ‘sons of the gospel’ whom my mom and grandmother called “Brother Bob”. Today, now into his elite eighties, he and lady Doris still cover and chief mentor the ministry they birthed in the early seventies. Man, I cannot believe that my 21-year-old youth pastor is now “fifty something”.

The spring of 1989 sprung a new leader to stand head and shoulders among Mid-America’s very first graduating class. A grand ceremony to celebrate the first day of the rest and best of his life. Speaking of the best, less than ninety days later young Robbie Davis would wed an even younger childhood sweetheart Robin Jackson: an upgrade and graduation from Bible College boyfriend to Holy Ghost filled husband. Robin, the only daughter of Deacons Bob and Sandra Jackson was still an education major at HBCU’S Howard University. Along with her focused studies she had already been studying Robert Stanley long enough to make an educated decision to become Robbie’s own valedictorian. In probably still the single most memorable wedding event in the sanctuary’s history; July 29th, will forever be recognized as both an anniversary and practically a heralded holiday. Lavishly the largest wedding party of family friends and saints that most probably will ever eyewitness.

Immediately after a magical wedding and honeymoon, with great passion Rob was ready to perform what would be his signature trick… the ministry magic of YOUTH EXPLOSION. This being the pivotal point where and why this unauthorized biography is even relevant to yours truly. I remember vividly the very Sunday morning that Bishop Bob Davis made the first church announcement about the upcoming Tuesday night which would be the official launch of Youth Explosion. My grinning Grandmother elbow nudged her eleventh-grade grandson saying, “You’ll be there Michael.” Reluctantly I returned the grin even with no known transportation to this inaugural event, that I had been suited & elected to attend.

Tuesday at 6pm came before I knew it, and without a doorbell so did a rhythmic drummer’s knock on the door. I opened it to a 6 foot 3ish polo shirt wearing, slim built brother in blue jeans and white all K-Swiss. The jovial smiling gentlemen denied my handshake to extend his opened arms, along with the words “Let’s Roll Soldier!” Feeling lottery lucky to ride shotgun, I was the first pick and passenger on this first round night of pickups. On the road and on our way to the fellowship hall, the rookie youth pastor christened my ears by introducing me to an unfamiliar contemporary gospel group called, “Commissioned”. I was hooked. That white and blue church van filled quickly as everyone boarded singing along to ‘commissioned songs’ they already knew all the words to. Big Shot and the band were already in a jam session, just shy of 7pm. The pre-hyped crowd socialized and shuffled their way through an unassigned seating arrangement. Bashfully I laid low on the back row until Pastor Robbie blew my cover instructing everyone to find someone they didn’t know and introduce themselves. Suddenly somehow by the osmosis of multiple hugs and smiles, I wound up on the front row. ‘Praise and Worship’ was underway, and I was overwhelmed. Consumed and caught up in the cadenced clapping on the down beat while side stepping & foot tapping to the upbeat. Trust me when I tell ya that the Y.E. Band was bad….and I mean BAAD! The screen projector assisted me with unfamiliar songs, but I remember wishing I had a tape recorder to be able to to rehearse at home and blast on repeat. Rob preached and taught a powerful first message that challenged the room full of hyped high schoolers. He schooled us on the wisdom of walking on school grounds unashamed of the gospel, as well as with filtering through some of the distasteful secular music that did not feed our faith. I was won over and no doubt divinely duped by his sound teaching, candid humor, and relatable love.

Still riding shotgun doing drop offs, Rob veered off route and out of his way, making me his final drop. Perhaps this signified not only the birth of a mentor protege’ connection, but a relationship with Christ that would go and grow to another level…. mentored by the man Robbie Davis.