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Local Pastor Builds 'Foundation'in N.C. and BeyondBy Pamela EdmondsonCitizen Journalist

Apastorcaresforandministersto his church members day-inand day-out during his tenure.Evangelists do not. Evangeliststravel from place to placesharing the gospel and leadingpeople to make a commitmentto follow Christ—you could callthem "revivalists" or "fishers ofmen." One such evangelist isDarrel Davis of Garner.

Davis was reared inNortheastern North Carolinaand attended a Baptist churchthere with an uncle. Althoughhe made that trip to the altar inhis teen years, he did not makea "heart commitment" to God.During high school he sufferedfrom depression and had suicidalthoughts. He was miserable andsearching for answers.

After high school he attendedcollege, hoping to have a careerin architecture. He went to workwith an aluminum manufactureras a draftsman and there met aman who mentored him in theChristian faith. It was duringthat time that Davis reallyformed a personal relationshipwith God and surrendered hislife and future.

Davis and his wife, Penny,were married in 1996 andjointly made a commitment togo wherever God led them. In1997 Davis was laid off fromhis job and made the decisionto return to college, pursuing adegree in religion.

"God was working inthat situation; God is incontrol," he said. Darrel offersencouragement to those goingthrough tough times: "Evenwhen people are in situationsthat look difficult, God may be

Darrel Davis chats with a man he met on Carver Street in Raleigh. Photocourtesy of Darrel Davis.

working in that."N o n d e n o m i n a t i o n a l

Foundation Ministries wasfounded in 1999 with thefollowing mission: "Tointroduce people to Jesus Christand to equip his followers to dothe same."

Davis has ministered in ninedifferent countries including ElSalvador, Uganda, Columbiaand Tanzania. Revivals maybe outdated, but FoundationMinistries helps churchesplan events for outreach andwitness. He has been involvedwith International CommunityEvangelism events in 12different states. Penny Davis,in addition to being a full-timemom to Jeremy and Rebekah,is a music evangelist and worksalongside her husband when shecan.

Local outreach is an importantfacet of Foundation Ministries,too. Partnered with the "Churchin the Woods" or with a group

from First Baptist Church ofGarner where he attends, Davisreaches out to the homeless andthose who may feel alone andout of touch with God.

When Darrel is not outof town, he extends an openinvitation to services at MooreSquare on Saturdays at 11:30a.m.

Foundation Ministries equipsothers to introduce people toChrist through training seminars,events and materials. One facetof training is "FriendFluence,"which teaches church membershow to expand their boundariesbeyond their church friends.Building relationships first maylater provide an opportunitylater for religious beliefs to beshared effectively.

You can read more about theDavis family, their mission andavailable resources on the Websites onlyfoundation.org andfriendfluence.com.

Faith CalendarSunday, Feb. 8Crown Financial SeminarInformational Meeting:Ten-week study to help youunderstand Biblical principlesfor handling your money andhelp you to experience financialfreedom. The event itself

s on the same time andon on Sunday, Feb. 22

through Sunday April. 22. Topeg stei For this event or formore information, please reply

Monday, Feb. 23Clergy Appreciation Night:The Civitan Club of Garnerhosts a Clergy AppreciationNight. RSVP with RandallJohnson at 919-906-7225.Location: Garner Civitan Club,1005 Poole DriveTime: 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 26-Sunday,April 26Crown Biblical FinancialStudy; Life-changing 10-

Every SundayFellowship Service: St.Ambrose Episcopal Churchholds a jazz service, atraditional service and acontemplative service.Location: St. AmbroseEpiscopal Church, 813 DarbySt., RaleighTime: 8 a.m. for contemplative,9:15 a.m. for jazz, 11:15 a.m.for traditional

First Fridav of Everv

BUSINRalplBy Ralph CvCitizen Joumaliarfcwik47@beilsa