He is a fifth generation African Methodist Episcopal minister, and the son of the late Mother Dorothy Lynch, the late Reverend Sam Davis and Mother Alma Davis. Bishop Davis attended both the public and private schools of Alabama. He received the call to ministry at age 12. Upon high school graduation, he enrolled a Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, earning the Bachelor of Science degree; and subsequently, the Master of Divinity degree from the Turner Theological Seminary and the Doctorate of Ministry degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Bishop James L. Davis has preached and taught the good news of Jesus the Christ for over 45 years. After seeking the divine guidance of He who called him to higher service in Kingdom building, campaigned for twenty-two months on his mantra – “I Showed Up for Work and God Blew My Mind”. On July 3, 2004, in Indianapolis, Indiana he showed up for an opportunity to serve and was elected and consecrated the 123rd Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church during its 47th Quadrennial General Conference.

He was appointed to the 19th Episcopal District which encompasses the Republic of South Africa. While serving his first assignment Bishop Davis’ vision of furthering the legacy of self-help and self-reliance led to many accomplishments while living for four years on the continent from 2004-2008.

From 2008-2016, Bishop Davis served as the servant prelate of the 9th Episcopal District which comprises the entire state of Alabama. As the spiritual shepherd, in 2008 and 2014, he visited all 275 churches throughout the state of Alabama. Under his leadership the 9th Episcopal District purchased and renovated the District Headquarters located in the Downtown area of Birmingham, AL. Twenty-five months later the District celebrated the mortgage burning, while still reporting $1.8 million in budget assessments and giving back to the local churches over $60,000 to assist in various areas of need.

Bishop Davis is the former Presiding Prelate of the 2nd Episcopal District (Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Western North Carolina, and Washington, D.C.).