James was also a visionary who helped start Young Life in Liberia in 2003 and helped lead his people through the Ebola crisis in 2015. Among his many accomplishments, James also sat on the board of trustees at the University of Liberia. Thanks to his influence there are now more than 100 Young Life ministries in Liberia and 1,234 ministries throughout Africa West. James’ personal story is an epic one:

In 1992, 18-year-old James Davis found himself in a scene reminiscent of David in the Old Testament: hiding from enemies trying to kill him and waiting on the Lord. A violent civil war was raging in Monrovia, and James had already seen too much. In a moment, James prayed a prayer that changed his life.

“I experienced some terrible things during our civil war,” James said. “Several friends were killed and things went very bad with me. During my hideout, I made a promise to God that if He rescued me during the war, I would work for Him. The Lord answered my prayer, and I committed my life to Him.

Soon after, James joined a church and, under the direction of an American missionary, started a Joy Club for the kids in his neighborhood. In 2002, James was practicing a skit. His role included a prop — a magazine. As he began to flip through the pages, what he discovered changed his life again. “As I read through the magazine, I came across many youth ministries and what they are involved with around the world, but Young Life caught my heart because it was similar to what I had started with high school and neighborhood kids,” James recalls. “Immediately, I began to pray … that if it was the will of God, I would do all I can to start Young Life in Liberia. I later shared with Rancy Barsaye, one of my senior staff, and we began to pray. Our prayers were answered, and we started a relationship with Young Life. After months of interaction and meetings with Steve Larmey, we officially started Young Life in Liberia in 2003.”