Jose Dávila (center), with his wife, Beatriz Davila (right), worship the Lord before service begins at Strong Tower Ministries Church in Stafford. They both left professional jobs in Venezuela when Jose was called to become a pastor in America. smc View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

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Called to serve Hispanics

Venezuelan finds his spiritual place bringing the Gospel to Hispanics at a Stafford County church.

By BRIAN BAER

Date published: 3/7/2003

FREDERICKSBURG.COM

Jose Dávila paces a spacious stage, shouts rhythmically into an oversized microphone and, in an instant, takes command of the 300-seat room he stands before.

At times--when the Lord overwhelms him--Dávila bounces on his toes and his stout frame leaves the ground in dramatic bursts.

"Hallelujah!" he shouts. "Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"

The word, one of the few understood by many present, echoes back at him.

Dávila's deep voice thunders up the aisles, into a foyer and, quite possibly, across the Strong Tower Ministries parking lot in southern Stafford County.

And then, suddenly, Dávila is still.

He's whispering now, eyes closed, left hand lifted toward the sky.

Before him, in long rows of interlocked folding chairs, dozens of followers watch the small man in the fancy dark suit, crisp white shirt and heavy black glasses.

Many have now opened their raised arms--the better to allow Jesus Christ into their prayer.

The unity service of both English- and Spanish-speakers is a prelude to the Rev. Jose Dávila's first all-Spanish worship planned for tomorrow at 4 p.m. Strong Tower plans to continue a service in Spanish the same time every Saturday afternoon.

On this night, halfway through Dávila's message, 14 Hispanics file in the back door and take seats a few rows from stage left.

Dávila is caught up in his sermon on "unity in the body of Christ" and doesn't notice the latecomers.

But he knew they would be there.

Just as he knew that he, a 43-year-old man from Venezuela, would be there, too.

God told him so.

Jose Dávila's story is one of God and Gospel, preaching and saving, family and faith.

But to stop there would sell short the journey that has brought him to this country, to this church, to this day.

Jose Dávila and his wife, Beatriz, both earned master's degrees in Venezuela; his in human resources, hers in occupational therapy.

Married in 1985, the two lived a good life--high-powered jobs, a nice home and busy social lives.

Dávila, an HR director for a large hospital, also had a few guilty pleasures.

He bet the horses, enjoyed a few drinks and loved to dance into the night at Caracas discos.

Raised a Catholic, he had many times resisted his father-in-law's invitation to visit an evangelical church. One Sunday 13 years ago, Dávila gave in.

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Date published: 3/7/2003