Dr. A. Edward Davis, Jr., was born on May 2, 1951. He is the second of six    children born to the late Reverend A. Edward Davis, Sr. and Vianna Davis.

Dr. Davis grew up in Chicago in the Morgan Park Community. He attended John D. Shoop Elementary School and Morgan Park High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Trinity College and he received his Masters Degree in Theology from Trinity School of Divinity in Deerfield, Illinois. In August of 2001, he received his Doctorate Degree in Ministry from Gospel Outreach Theology Institute of Houston, Texas and Doctorate of Biblical Studies from the Midwest Theological Institute of Indiana in March of 2006. 

On November 10, 1969, Dr. Davis accepted his calling to the Ministry and preached his first sermon. After being licensed and ordained, he served as Youth Minister at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Morgan Park.

On November 10, 1976, Dr. Davis was called and elected Pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, with a membership of only 15 parishioners.  Pastor Davis led the church in the burning of its mortgage located 165 East 115th Street (On St. John Drive), Chicago, Illinois. Following the vision of Pastor Davis, through the direction of God, the church embarked upon a 7.8 million dollar building project for a new edifice, including an educational facility and a full-time day care center.  Pastor Davis’ vision was materialized in October 2005 when the St. John family moved into their new edifice.  To God Be the Glory!

As Pastor Davis continues to preach and teach the word of God, membership has grown significantly. St. John has won over 950 souls to Christ during 2008, bringing the current membership to over 5000. Through continued growth two Worship Services are held weekly. Pastor Davis’ motto is “A Church Where Everybody Is Somebody”. 

While Pastor Davis continues to minister to his church family with a vision of Excellence for the Ministry, he also ministers to the community. He is currently serving as Administrative First Vice President-Logistics of Clergy Speaks Interdenominational, President of the Nehemiah Restoration Coalition (NRC) and appointed by Mayor Richard Daley to serve as Chairman of the Zoning Department for the City of Chicago.  He has served as Vice-Chairman for the Industrial Area Foundation and is Co-Chairman of the African American Baptist Caucus. Pastor Davis is also actively involved with the National Baptist Convention USA, Operation PUSH, The Baptist Pastor’s Developing Communities Project, and The NEW Era District.

Over the last few years, Dr. Davis has received many accolades, being honored with some of the following awards:  Spiritual Perspective and the Cornucopia, Men of Valor Award.  He also received the Gospel Supreme, Labor of Love Award, presented by Reverend Maceo Woods, the Shoop 49ers Award for Leadership; also, Dr. Mildred Harris of The God First Ministry presented Dr. Davis with the Distinguished God First Leadership Award. In 2002, he was honored with the AARC Clay Evans Pastoral Excellence Award and the Fred Hampton Scholarship Foundation honored Dr. Davis with the Fred Hampton Image Award. These are just a few of the awards among many presented to Dr. Davis. In 1996 he was elected as a Delegate to the National Democratic Convention. Mayor Richard Daley and the City Council presented to Dr. Davis a Proclamation declaring November 14, 1999, as “Reverend A. Edward Davis, Jr., Day” in the city of Chicago. During the administration of the late Mayor Harold Washington, Dr. Davis was honored by the City Council of Chicago, and on May 23, 1993, he was awarded with a Proclamation from the United States Congress, 2nd District of Illinois.

Dr. A. Edward Davis, Jr., has been called a unique preacher, par-excellence, who has an intellectually sound yet fierce approach to the ministry of the Word.  Dr. Davis is the husband of E.J. Davis, and the proud father of Amos E. Davis, III.

In his holistic ministry he ministers to the Total Man - Mind, Body, and Soul.