Maury Davis

Maury Davis is a pastor at Cornerstone Church in Madison, Tennessee. He is a widely known and controversial religious figure in the Tennessee religious community.[1][2]

Pastor Davis is also a regular figure on InFocus, a weekly religious television show watched by an audience of millions experiencing the ministry through Sunday regional broadcasts on Nashville NewsChannel 5 CBS Network[3] and via satellite throughout Africa and Europe on the Faith Broadcasting Network.

Early life

Maury Davis spent his childhood in Irving, Texas. Due to his troubled teenage years, he was enrolled in New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico. He graduated with honors. Soon after, his years were dominated by the act which would overshadow the rest of his life.

His life was filled with demon possession, drug addiction and the subsequent instability it caused. In 1975, at the age of 18, Davis committed a murder during a crime in Irving, Texas. In 1975, he was sentenced to 20 years in the Texas Department of Corrections.[4]

Davis credits Rev. J. Don George, other ministers, and his fellow inmates with his spiritual awakening. He saw his fellow prisoners’ ongoing faith and hope as “light in the darkness,” helping them to remain hopeful even in their incarceration. Pastor J. Don George and the ministers who spoke into his life were instrumental in discipling Davis as a young Christian. Davis began to preach sermons in prison to his fellow inmates, hoping to encapsulate the hope he felt and pass it on to others. Even though he was still staring at a 20-year prison sentence, he maintained joy through it all with his journey with Christ.[5]

Davis served eight and a half years in prison—although denied for parole six times—until he was indicated as a good candidate for early release due to the overcrowding in the prison and his good behavior. Upon his release, he gained employment as a janitor at Calvary Temple Church in Irving, Texas, and was promoted to youth pastor shortly thereafter.[6][7]

As a youth pastor, Davis was becoming recognized due to television and radio work where he spoke about his personal journey. The resulting years saw him lead his Christian ministry throughout the country, speaking in schools about his own story and testimony. In 1991, he arrived at Cornerstone Church in Nashville, having been recommended by Rev. Gene Jackson, District Superintendent of the Tennessee District of the Assemblies of God. Jackson’s recommendation was taken into account by the church advisory council, and Davis was elected to the position of lead pastor one week after his first sermon there in January 30, 1991.[8] He became a popular figure in the church community, especially due to his teachings resonating with those with a difficult past and those experiencing difficulties in life.[9][10]

Philanthropy and Views

Davis’ own testimony has shaped his views within his ministry and the intensity of his Christianity. His honesty in communicating the scripture as total truth has made him exceptionally popular and has seen Cornerstone Church in Nashville rapidly increase its attendance.[11] The magnetism in ministry is often attributed to his tenacity in finding complacency unacceptable in the Christian walk.[12]

Bold and uncompromising, Maury Davis has spoken out against Islam and the terror attacks throughout the world.[13][14] In addressing modern issues, he believes that the Bible is the absolute defining guideline.[15][16] Often, news outlets and media contact him for thoughts and perspectives on current issues that become forefront both locally and nationally.[17][18] He has appeared on FOX News programming, including Sean Hannity’s and Mike Huckabee’s television shows. In the Nashville area, he has been on a guest on numerous morning shows and news broadcasts.[19][20][21]

Maury Davis is a popular figure to many local and national politicians.[22] He has visited the White House, has been the Chaplain for the Senate and House for the State of Tennessee (frequently opening in prayer before sessions) and is often invited to advise with a Christian perspective in many governing arenas.

Personal life

Maury Davis has been married since 1985 to his wife Gail who he met at his church in Irving, where she was the pianist. In 1986, they became the parents of triplets, and 1994 brought the birth of a son. All four children and their spouses have been raised in church and are active participants in ministry. Maury and Gail are now the grandparents of four, a girl and three boys.[23] Currently, Galen Davis, their oldest son, is serving as Associate Lead Pastor, transitioning over the next several years to the Senior Pastor.

References

  1. ↑ GABBY SHUMATE (7 September 2015). "At the End of the Day, God's Grace Always Wins". Ministry Today Magazine. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  2. ↑ Radley Balko (16 January 2015). "Two killings, but just one shot at redemption". The Washington Post. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "TELEVISION AND ONLINE". Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  4. ↑ Brett Wilson (6 November 2014). "Maury Davis: Pastor, Speaker, Convicted Murderer". Regent University. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Jennifer Johnson (21 October 2014). "Pastor defends giving job to convicted murderer". WSMV. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  6. ↑ Roy Exum (20 April 2009). "Roy Exum: Who Is To Judge?". TheChattanoogan.com. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  7. ↑ "About Maury Davis". Daystar. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  8. ↑ "Cornerstone Church's latest chapter in growth is $17M expansion". AmericaPreacher. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  9. ↑ Michael Gryboski (5 January 2012). "Assemblies of God Founded More Than One Church Per Day in 2011". Christian Post. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  10. ↑ Jessica Martinez (4 July 2014). "Tennessee Megachurch Plans $15 million Retirement Center for Church Members". The Christian Post. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "Cornerstone Church Halloween Fun: 'House of Hell'". ChattahBox.com. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  12. ↑ Brantely Hargrove (4 June 2009). "Pastor Maury Davis: Gay Bashing and Muslim Hating, A Christian Birthright". Nashville Scene. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "FAITH What This Pastor Said About ISLAM That NO ONE Else Would…WOW!!!". Conservative Post. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  14. ↑ "Reflections on the Preserving Freedom Conference". Counterjihadreport.com. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  15. ↑ "Six Truths You May Not Want to Hear". Enrichment Journal. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  16. ↑ David Edwards (15 November 2015). "Tennessee pastor lashes out after Paris attacks: 'There is no such thing as a good Muslim'". Raw Story. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  17. ↑ Gabby Shumate (7 September 2015). "What a Pastor With a Murder Conviction Has to Say About Gay Marriage". Charisma News. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  18. ↑ "Nashville pastors shun national pulpit protest". USA Today. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  19. ↑ Bob Smietana (14 August 2013). "IRS shouldn't ban clergy endorsements, panel says". USA Today. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  20. ↑ "Mega Churches Trying New Methods To Branch Out". Praise Houston. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  21. ↑ Brantley Hargrove (11 August 2010). "Pastor Maury Davis Appears On Huckabee's Fox News Show, Fumbles With Truth". Nashville Scene. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  22. ↑ Holly Meyer (7 February 2016). "How evangelicals will influence Tennessee's GOP primary". The Tennessean. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  23. ↑ "Killer Turned Pastor". Goldtalk. Retrieved 23 April 2016.

External links

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