Early Foundations: A Father’s Ultimatum
For Pastor Earon L. Davis Jr., life has always hinged on choices. Some were thrust upon him; others he forged for himself. The first came the day after he graduated from Cheney High School in 1996.
“My dad came to me in a way that he had never come to me and he said, you have two choices. You can go to school and stay in the house, or you can get a job and move out. Those were my only two choices.”
Though he chose education, Davis admits his first attempt at Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) was unfocused. Popular in high school – homecoming king, an athlete – he hadn’t yet found his grounding. The result: he drifted academically and left without a clear direction.
Finding Synergy and Belonging at Morehouse
His path soon carried him through Moody Bible Institute and into Morehouse College in Atlanta. The shift was transformational.
“When I got off the plane, everybody was Black – the lunch people, the janitor, the police officers, the presidents. That was new for me.”
At Morehouse, Davis discovered the power of belonging among Black intellectuals. “We had some of the most fierce, nondisrespectful debates at the dinner table that we ever had in the classroom. Hearing my brothers’ stories from St. Louis, New York, or the South – it made me sharper. It gave me confidence.”
One phrase became a cornerstone: “Morehouse doesn’t make you – you make Morehouse.” The institution was historic and inspiring, but Davis realized it was his choices, discipline, and openness to discovery that would shape his future.
Parenting, Coaching and Patience
Davis’ journey as a student also informs his ideas on parenting. He emphasizes the delicate balance of firmness and patience, especially when children are navigating adulthood.
“You want to allow your children to thrive. One thing I learned is you have to let them fall – but also keep them informed. You’re still the CEO of your house, but at that age you’ve got to coach them.”
For Davis, coaching means placing children in positions to succeed, while still allowing them the autonomy to make choices – even mistakes. It is a philosophy rooted in his father’s firm ultimatum but softened by his own experiences of trial, error, and resilience.
Returning Home: Injury and Recalibration
After graduation and years of ministry in Indiana and Kentucky – including a groundbreaking appointment as the first Black pastor of a historically white church – Davis returned to Spokane. He took a job with a shredding company, but an injury on the job left him unable to work for eight years.
The setback forced him to re-evaluate. Through vocational counseling, he made the decision to return to SFCC – this time as a different student, one with clarity, maturity, and purpose.
Leadership at SFCC: A Full-Circle Moment
His return to Spokane Falls marked a profound transformation.
“I came back a different student. I wanted to connect with people, to branch out, to make a difference.”
This time, he excelled. Davis became president of Beta Gamma Kappa, participated in Phi Theta Kappa, joined the Black Student Union, IT club and international club, and earned a spot on the president’s list every quarter while completing his degree in information technology and cybersecurity.
In his June graduation speech at the Mosaic Center graduation ceremony, he distilled his story into a single truth:
“You have a choice to make. You want to be successful in life or not. It really comes down to that. If you want to be successful, you have to complete something. You have to finish the rigor.”
For Davis, it was more than a message to his classmates – it was the culmination of his own journey. What began as a lost first attempt at SFCC had come full circle, ending with leadership, achievement, and clarity of purpose.
Discovery as a Formula for Success
Looking back, Davis identifies discovery as a critical part of the formula for success. As a teenager at SFCC fresh out of high school, he was still searching for identity and direction. At Morehouse, he discovered the power of community and intellect. Returning to SFCC decades later, he discovered the importance of focus, maturity, and service.
“Life is about choices,” he said, “but discovery is part of the process. You won’t always know who you are or where you’re going at first–but if you stay open, each stage of discovery teaches you something that prepares you for the next.”
Saving Grace Ministries: Faith in Action
Today, Davis is the pastor and founder of Saving Grace Ministries in Spokane, which meets weekly at The Hive. There, he emphasizes service, discipleship and community engagement. Members regularly volunteer at local shelters, provide meals, and donate to organizations like St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
His vision is rooted in the lessons of his journey: leadership, perseverance, discovery, and faith. “Whatever you do–do it so well that even if you leave, you’ve left a mark. You’ve made yourself the standard by how you carried yourself in character, service, and leadership.”
A Life of Resilience and Purpose
From SFCC to Moody, from the affirming village of Morehouse to the pulpits of Indiana, and back home to Spokane, Pastor Davis’ life has been defined by resilience, discovery, and recalibration. His story is a testament that setbacks can become setups, and that purpose often emerges most clearly in seasons of struggle.
“I’m living proof – you can do anything you want to do,” he said. “It all goes back to choice.”