Kim Davis

Kim’s books gave a voice to the faithful who went before her, and they left us with a treasure when we suddenly lost her.

Kim’s books gave a voice to the faithful who went before her, and they left us with a treasure when we suddenly lost her.

In late 2018, Kim Davis scribbled notes at a retreat, “I’ve written so many other stories, but what will my story be? Will people remember me for what I’ve written of others? Where I served in Zimbabwe and South Africa? Or that I invite my Muslim neighbor over for tea?”

Kim’s newsletters chronicled every aspect of her family’s life and journey — from their appointment and deployment to Johannesburg in the early 1990s, to planting churches in Zimbabwe, to their relocation to Richmond, Virginia, in 2001. During their time in Africa, Kim shared the good news of Jesus through Bible studies, marriage enrichment courses and sewing classes with African women.

When Kim and her family relocated to Richmond, she continued to tell the stories of missionaries from around the world. Her initial work filled two volumes of missionary devotionals called Voices of the Faithful, which were published in 2005 and 2009. Kim also helped missionaries tell their own stories. A Thousand Times Yes: Two Doctors who Answered God’s Call, by Wana Ann Fort, is just one example, published in 2013.

Kim died unexpectedly in February 2019 at age 58. “I treasure my memories of her and the example she was to me of how to live, to serve, to love God, to care for her family and friends,” said Leigh Ann Fort, who served with Kim in Africa and in Richmond.

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