Divinity alumnus from the Bronx uses call to ministry as motivation to attain three advanced degrees

Leon Davis (’11, ’12, ’14) felt the call to ministry over 40 years ago when he first became a Christian, and since that time, he has spread the Gospel as an ordained minister in his local church in the Bronx, at his workplace, and throughout his daily life. It also spurred him on to receive three advanced ministry degrees in the span of five years.

“Whom God calls, He enables” are motivating words for Davis. “When God calls you to do something, He wants it completed yesterday,” he said. So, he balanced a full-time job with his online studies from Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity.

“I took the maximum number of hours that I could take while I was pursuing my degrees,” he said. “And I balanced working, raising a family, doing ministry and going to school — all because I knew God had called me and I needed to be obedient to that call.”

Davis received his Master of Divinity in 2011, Master of Sacred Theology in 2012 and, Doctorate of Divinity in Biblical Studies in 2014, all through Liberty University Online Programs. And, like many online students, he was able to travel to Liberty’s campus in Lynchburg, Va., for intensives, which are weeklong or weekend on-campus classes where students can interact with their peers and professors in a classroom setting.

“Being on the campus at Liberty University, I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit so intensely,” Davis said. “The classes, the professors, the students, and the teaching I received made my experience at Liberty just wonderful.”

Davis spent 17 years working as a customer service representative for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City, retiring from the position in 2015. While at MTA, he started a Bible study class that still meets even though he has not attended since his retirement.

“I’ve always been a teacher and shared the Word of God,” Davis said. “I have a Bible with me everywhere I go — the supermarket, the laundromat. I had it on my desk with me at work. I can’t have Christ physically with me to hold onto right now, but I can hold onto the Bible since every word of it is Jesus Christ.”

Now that he is retired, he has written a commentary based upon the parables contained throughout the Bible. The project is the culmination of years of study, prayer and devotion to sharing the Word.

Davis said his heart and life operate with a single message, “I live in this place of a profound love for God, my heavenly Father, I am passionately in love with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is my faithful, patient and loyal friend.”

As a someone who has raised a family, retired from a career and attained three advanced degrees, Davis is excited about the next stage of his life and credits Liberty for enriching his spiritual journey.

I recommend Liberty because not only do you receive the information and the classes through the curriculum, but the spiritual component is so important. I have such a lifelong love for Liberty, and I recommend it to everyone I can,” he said.