Rev. Elmer Neal Davis Jr.

Rev. Elmer Neal Davis, Jr. is the son of the late Elmer Neal Davis, Sr., and Julia Diane Davis.  Born in Salisbury, Maryland, he received his education in the Wicomico Public School System, where he graduated from James M. Bennett Senior High School.  Despite all odds and negative innuendoes, he graduated from Wor-Wic Community College, receiving an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice.  He later enrolled in the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Police Academy in Salisbury, Maryland.  This training enabled him to serve his community for 22 years as a police officer. It resulted in his promotion to Lieutenant at the Salisbury City Police Department.

Rev. Elmer Davis was raised with Christian morals and values, which have helped him continue his spiritual walk. Prior to adhering to God’s call, Rev. Davis served as a Lay Speaker, President of the United Methodist Men, Trustee, and member of the Usher Board at Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church in Columbia, Delaware.

In October 1992, God took his hand and led him on his Christian journey.  Rev. Davis was appointed 1998 as the Pastor of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Princess Anne, Maryland.  With such love, dedication, and faith in God, who leads him, Rev. Davis realized the need to continue his education.  With much discipline, he graduated with honors, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from Wilmington College.   Continuing to excel academically, Rev. Davis received a Master of Divinity Degree from Howard University School of Divinity.

At the June 2011 Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference, Rev. Davis was ordained Elder in full connection.   On July 1, 2011, he was appointed to St. James United Methodist Church in Westover, Maryland, and Trinity UMC in Princess Anne, Maryland. On July 1, 2014, he was appointed as Pastor of Whatcoat UMC in Dover, Delaware, where he was highly respected and regarded as a leader in the City of Dover.  He was an active member of the City of Dover Advisory Committee and Chaplain of the Dover City Police Department.  He served as the Chairperson of BMCR (Peninsula-Delaware Conference) and the at-large member of the North-East Jurisdiction of BMCR, Board of Ordained Ministry, and Strengthening the Black Church Taskforce.

On July 1, 2019, Bishop Peggy Johnson appointed Rev. Davis as the Easton District Superintendent of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference, where he supervises 78 pastors and 131 churches. The Easton District is the size of Delaware and consists of five counties (Dorchester, Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne’s, and Kent). Rev. Davis has brought vitality and new concepts to the Easton District with his motto, “We Can, We Will, We Must!” from Philippians 4:13 (KJV).  

On July 1, 2021, the Peninsula-Delaware Conference underwent redistricting, and the Easton District became the Upper Shore District.   The Upper Shore District will now include all the churches in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, and Talbot counties.  Rev. Davis supervises 81 pastors and 134 churches. 
 

He serves on the Vision Team, the District Committee on Church Location and Building, the District Committee on Ordained Ministry, and the District Committee on Superintendency.   On July 6, 2020, Rev. Davis was appointed and elected twice to the Easton, Maryland, Town Council.   He represents Ward 4.  He is also a member of the Talbot County NAACP, Chairperson of the Police Board of Easton, MD, and a member of the Sons of the American Legion in Easton, MD.

Rev. Davis has three adult children and two grandchildren.   Rev. Davis currently resides in Easton, Maryland.