About

Greater Faith Harvest Ministries is a missions and outreach centered ministry. It is our belief that ministry is "helping people in the Name of Jesus". 

The GFH Story

A HISTORICAL REFLECTION ON OUR CHURCH’S LEADERS/FOUNDERS

In the early 1940’s, John Ira Davis, Sr. married Ella Street. Ella Street Davis was saved and received the gift of the Holy Ghost while living in Tifton, Georgia. The young family, at that time, had only two children, John I. Jr. and Lula Bell. The Christian Ministry of Ella Street Davis began in 1948 when the family relocated to Albany, Georgia from Tifton, Georgia. She began preaching from house to house, the Good News of Jesus Christ. Many persons accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and were filled with the Holy Ghost. As a result, a church was born---House of God Saints In Christ, Albany, Georgia. The first baptism service allowed 75 souls to be baptized. Now located at 1129 Whitney Avenue, Albany, Georgia. This ministry is yet thriving today. A short time later, Missionary Davis answered the call to assist Ms. Kate Profit in Leesburg, Georgia. Another church was born and organized, House of God Saints in Christ of Leesburg, Georgia. Not only did she preach from house to house, but in her own house. As a result, her husband, John I. Davis, Sr, was saved and became a preacher of the Gospel.

Elder John Ira Davis, Sr. and Missionary Ella Street Davis were a dynamic ministry team working together to win souls to Christ. Their family grew to five talented children, including an additional son Ozell and two additional daughters, Melvenia Jean and Patricia Ann. They planted, established, and organized churches, conducted revivals, prayer meetings, and served church leadership, with compassion, while preaching and ministering the Word of God across the State of Georgia and beyond.

Together, Elder John Ira Davis, Sr. and Missionary Ella Street Davis served as pastor and evangelist at the following churches: Center Street C.O.G.I.C.-Dawson, Georgia; Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C.-Cairo, Georgia; Jones Temple of Mercer Mill, Oakfield, Georgia; Pentecostal Temple C.O.G.I.C.-Albany, Georgia, Wynton Road . C.O.G.I.C.-Columbus, Georgia.

This dynamic team was blessed and favored to serve in many capacities throughout the Northern Georgia Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ. Elder John Ira Davis, Sr. held positions as District Superintendent, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop; State Treasurer; Board of Trustee, Elder’s Council and Ordination Board. Missionary Ella Street Davis served as Missionary; District Missionary; Church Coordinator; Advisor to the Jurisdictional Mother; Pastor; and a trailblazing mentor to women in ministry. Mother Ella Street Davis served the Church of God In Christ Northern Georgia Jurisdiction Women’s Department faithfully as Missionary, District Missionary, Church Coordinator and Advisor to the Jurisdictional Mother. She organized bible bands, other auxiliary bands; started a noon day prayer service in three Albany Housing Projects.

In 1973, together they organized Pentecost Temple Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C). The building located at 1206 North Jackson Street in Albany, Georgia became the home of the ministry. Elder John I. Davis, Sr. was first pastor of this new ministry. Elder John I. Davis, Sr. was assigned to pastor Wynton Road COGIC leaving Missionary Ella Street Davis to lead Pentecost Temple Church of God in Christ.

Led by the Holy Ghost, Missionary Ella Street Davis reorganized Pentecost Temple as a church independent of the COGIC demonization and on December 18, 1983 she was ordained as Elder-in-Charge and pastor of Pentecost Temple. During this particular time, women pastors were not highly recognized by the organization. After ordination, Pentecost Temple C.O.C.I.C.  Elder Ella S. Davis was the official pastor and Elder in Charge of this body of baptized believers.

Pastor Ella Street Davis was affectionately known as Mother Davis by the congregants of Pentecost Tabernacle. She continued steadfastly in weekly noon day prayer services, running revivals, spiritual counseling, training, and winning souls to Christ. During the leadership of Pastor Ella Street Davis, adjoining property was purchased for the building of a new and larger sanctuary. The new sanctuary was completed , received the letter of Occupancy and the doors were opened for it’s first service.

In addition, she provided “Words of Comfort” during a 15-minute Sunday morning radio ministry sponsored by Poteat Funeral Home of Albany, Georgia. followed by a jail ministry, all before the Sunday School hour!

In 2003, Mother Davis elected to return to the Church Of God In Christ under the leadership of Bishop Mark Walden, Sr., Northern Georgia Second Jurisdiction. She pastored the church until the Lord called her home in 2004. Mother Ella Street Davis was a Civil Rights Activist, Entrepreneur, Seamstress extraordinaire, Interior Decorator, Mighty Warrior, and Trailblazer in ministry.

The Next Era of Leadership

In 2004, Pastor John I. Davis, Jr. was voted by the congregants to lead the ministry into new endeavors as Christ remained the central focus. With his wife, Mother Iris W. Davis, joining as Co-Pastor, it was evident that God’s hand was continuing to bless the ministry.

Pastor John I. Davis, Jr. was not only instrumental during this pivotal and critical transition to the ministry, but also his leadership propelled the ministry into 21 st Century of serving Christ.

Pastor John I. Davis, Jr. and Mother Iris W. Davis through prayer and meditation was led to change the name of the church to Greater Faith Harvest Ministries Incorporated, COGIC and registered it with the State of Georgia in the year of 2006. The Motto and Mission Statement of the church was also birthed through prayer and study of the Purpose Driven Church book that same year. Motto – People Helping People in the Name of Jesus. Purposes of GFH – Stronger through Worship - - - Warmer through Fellowship - - - Larger through Evangelism - - - Deeper through Education - - - Broader through Service How? – Welcome People to Jesus - - - Equip Them with the Faith that Works in Real Life - - - Send Them out to Serve in the Name of Jesus.

The evidence of God’s blessings was further seen through both physical and spiritual advancements in the ministry. The house and lot adjacent to the sanctuary was purchased in December 2007 (221 5 th Avenue). In July 2009, the next two houses were purchased (217 & 219 5th Avenue). These properties were owner financed for the ministry and paid in full by July 2011. This allowed space for additional parking for the congregants and outdoor space for ministry events.

After the acquisition of the additional three properties, a parking lot was expanded and paved with gravel. With the acquisition of these lots, the ministry hosted events on the yard (ie., outdoor concert, clothing give away to the community). Not only was progress evident outside of the church, but also enhancements to the main sanctuary, within the church were complete. A total overhaul and renovations of the front of the church was complete. The old choir stand and original look was completely updated. The pulpit area was updated and the music corner relocated to be a part of the front platform within the church. During this renovation, new music equipment and sound system was also updated to include: new keyboard, upgraded organ (B3), new sound mixing board and speakers.

In May 2009, an additional investment was made in the Media Ministry to upgrade with televisions posted to enhance the Worship experience. $4500 was spent to have two 55-inch televisions (presentation monitors) within sanctuary to display words to the songs, order of services, video presentations, etc. Further

These renovations and upgrades were complete in 2015. A Media Corner was constructed in the back rear of the church to house the updated music equipment and new carpet was placed in the main sanctuary in 2015.

Further, the dedication of the Netty Modeste kitchen with upgraded stainless steel appliances was complete in 2010. Not only was the kitchen area upgraded, but additional office space was included and ultimately the naming of the Ella Street Davis Memorial Fellowship Hall was done.

Vestibule area was enhanced with new floors throughout the restrooms and lobby leading into the main sanctuary. Paint and visual enhancements were completed.

Several major upgrades were done to the facilities. Upgrades included recarpeting the sanctuary and upgrading the HVAC (air-conditioning units – 2017) in the main sanctuary. As God continued to bless, a waterpipe burst causing the fellowship hall’s ceiling to collapse and major damage to the flooring. This allowed the church to upgrade the facilities even further with new floors, furniture and fixtures in the Ella S. Davis Fellowship Hall.

Ministry continued to be effective as additional members joined the ministry. Sunday School, Believer’s Institute (Wednesday Night Study), & Prayer continued to be regular times of worship (as previously). The addition of becoming an Official C. H. Mason Jurisdictional Training site (for the COGIC) was also instituted.

A strong partnership with Faith Community Outreach Center was established and outreach into the community became a continuous ongoing ministry for GFH. A direct connection to a shelter for battered women and children was made. In fact, the shelter was moved to across the street from the sanctuary in 2023. Youth ministries, Women ministries, Music ministries, were all constant throughout GFH.

In 2020, the world was impacted by a global pandemic caused by COVID-19 (Corona Virus). The ministry was forced to engage virtual as this virus was highly contagious and people were not gathering for any cause (including work). Forced to spread the gospel via phone calls and computers, the ministry responded and remained effective during this abnormal time. The incorporation of virtual worship became routine even as the effects of the pandemic left the land.

In 2022, the acquisition of yet another house and lot was purchased by GFH. This house is purposed to further the reach of outreach allowing space for training, teaching and serving the community. Faith Community Outreach was moved to the house that was adjacent from the sanctuary of the church. This allowed the ministry to own the property and engage in outreach directly connected to the church.

Leading Another Generation

The Lord led Pastor John I. Davis, Jr to pass the mantel of Pastor to his son, John I. Davis, III. On December 10, 2022, Davis, III was installed as pastor of Greater Faith Harvest Ministries by Bishop Mark Walden, prelate of Northern Georgia Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ. On January 11, 2023, Pastor Emeritus John I. Davis, Jr. was called home to Glory.

Davis, III entered into the office of pastor on the shoulders of leaders and wisdom that sustained the ministry for 50 years. As Pastor Davis, III continues to be innovative in ministry. The blessings of the Lord and post-pandemic continues as prayers, sacrifices, fasting, and investments are evident in the harvest. Within the first year of his leadership, additional updates, remodeling and furthering the ministering opportunities were accomplished.

Here we stand 50 years after the birthing of the ministry on the same sure foundation, Jesus Christ. With much work to be done and souls to be won, God is continuing to lead and guide the ministry.