On Sunday, December 12, 2021, there was a glorious celebration as Melvin Delmaine Davis was welcomed into his heavenly home at age 89.
He was born May 13, 1932, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Emmeline and Harvey Davis. As a young child he dedicated himself to the Lord and the call to ministry, graduating from Western Pentecostal Bible College in 1953 and embarking on a lifetime of ministry service.
Also in 1953 he married the girl he vowed at 12 years old he’d marry, Bernice (Clemo). The two continued side-by-side on this life’s adventure for 68 years. He is preceded in eternal life by his father Harvey, mother Emmeline, brother Morley, and infant daughter Leslie.
He is survived by his wife Bernice, son Bradley, daughter Tracy (Osborne), son-in-law Capt. Kay Osborne, granddaughters Danielle Osborne, Alexandra Osborne, Angel Davis, Carlee Davis, sister Joy Reid, and nephews Richard, David, and Kevin Reid.
In addition to pastoring churches in Vancouver, Trail, Tacoma, and Surrey, he founded Pacific Bible College (now Pacific Life Bible College) and Bible Fellowship Christian Academy (Regent Christian Academy). His love for the church lead him across the globe as a ministerial conference speaker and special speaker to congregations. Thrust to the forefront of the prophetic presbytery movement, he travelled extensively, including 21 trips to Japan alone. Like a compass, he helped point many towards the ways that the Lord had appointed for them to walk and encouraged those who had become weary during a rough journey. He found great fulfillment as part the apostolic team and president of International Association of Ministries for over 50 years.
Throughout his life, Mel loved being anywhere near water, especially if that meant being on a boat. Although he was an avid sports enthusiast, one of his all-time favorite activities was fishing. If you go into his office, you'll find almost as much fishing paraphernalia as you will find books on the Christian life and study of the Bible! That being said, the one thing he enjoyed more than fishing for sea creatures on the water was “fishing for people”. In fact, he dedicated his entire life to this type of fishing. However, it wasn't good enough for someone to merely be “caught” in this “net”. No, he was passionate about having every single person experience a vibrant relationship with his friend, Jesus. He desired for every person to encounter God through the pages of scripture and walk in His ways, so that they might experience the full blessings of belonging to the Kingdom of God.
Mel Davis never viewed ministry as a burden. Rather, he would often say, “It is a privilege and a joy to serve our Living God”!
An intimate family graveside service was held at Valley View Memorial Cemetery in Surrey, B.C. on December17, 2021.
Due to current COVID-related restrictions, a memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held in the spring..