Jerry Wayne Davison

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Jerry Davison, 60, in Jinja, Uganda, on August 6, 2025.

Jerry was born on January 29, 1965, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the son of Carlton and Mary Davison.

Jerry leaves behind his best friend and wife of 38 years, Cheryl Davison; his three dear children, Erik Davison, Whitney Davison, and Wil Davison; and three adored grandkids who called him "G'ppy": Oliver, Aria, and Aeris.

Jerry was known by everyone who met him as a friendly and authentic person. He rededicated his life to Jesus in high school after meeting a group of students who truly lived out their faith. This became a turning point for him, and from then on, he earnestly followed the teachings of Jesus.

It was this changed life that caught the attention of his future wife. At the time, Jerry was working at Turtles Records and Tapes to help pay for his education at Kennesaw University when he noticed Cheryl waiting in the parking lot for Rush tickets to go on sale. When she later came in to apply for a job, he enthusiastically hired her. It wasn't long after that they fell in love and got married.

Jerry left college early when he and his band were offered a record deal by a Christian record label. He and the band, Jacob's Trouble, toured the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe, recording five albums. Jerry had always dreamed, even as a young boy, of being in a band and touring-and he got to do that and more for five years. During that time, he played drums, wrote thoughtful songs about his Christian faith, and became the lead singer of the band.

After five years on the road, Jerry decided to leave the band so he could be home with his growing family. The band quickly dissolved after his departure. Jerry began to pursue another dream he had always held dear: raising his children in a loving family.

Jerry fathered three children-Erik, Whitney, and Wil-and he enjoyed them immensely. His deep love for them and his lighthearted, fun personality made the Davison home a place often filled with laughter.

He had always had a passion for the church. He taught Sunday school and helped lead a singles ministry in the years following the band's breakup. But it was when the family answered the call to move to Las Vegas that Jerry began to serve the church vocationally. There, he worked as a Creative Arts Director for several years, using his talents by playing drums in the worship team, starting a video production team, launching a drama team, and teaching the marriage class "Staying Married on Purpose," which he co-wrote with Cheryl.

After seven years in Vegas, the family moved back to Georgia, where Jerry served passionately as a worship leader for the next eight years. During this season, his love for teaching the Bible grew tremendously, and he eagerly shared everything he was learning with anyone who would listen. His heart was to share the truth of God's Word and see people impacted by it.

It was also during this time that Jerry and Cheryl began hosting weekly Sunday night potlucks for anyone who wanted to come. People brought their families and friends, and it became a safe and welcoming space where people could come, be loved, and be known.

After serving faithfully as a worship pastor for seven years, Jerry sensed God releasing him from the church he had loved so well. In the time that followed, a small prayer group began meeting in their home, asking God what was next. The group grew quickly, and before long, 100-150 people were gathering regularly to pray. Eventually, Jerry began to teach, and what began as a prayer meeting became an "accidental church."

For three years, Jerry,Cheryl, and others sought to do church in a New Testament style. Though small, the church had a big impact. Mission teams were sent out, prayer meetings were powerful (often led by the most pure prayers from the children, who were always invited), ministries were started, and thousands of dollars were shared to meet the needs of members.

During this time, Jerry and Cheryl also fostered three children. Fostering was difficult but deeply fulfilling. By God's kindness and grace, all three children eventually went to loving homes.

In 2020, after joining a racial reconciliation group, Jerry began sharing what he was learning with the church. At the same time, he was studying intently in preparation to teach on what the Bible says about women in leadership roles. Through this study, he became convinced that women should be welcomed into any leadership position in the church.

Jerry had always been passionate about deep study and about seeking justice for anyone who was being marginalized. His teaching on these topics, combined with the impact of COVID moving church gatherings online, contributed to the church's decline. These were difficult days-but little did he know that God was preparing to move him to a place where all his gifts, and all his love, would be needed and would grow.

In 2021, just a month after his third grandchild was born, Jerry and Cheryl packed a few bins and moved to Uganda to serve as family mentors at Amazima Ministries. There, Jerry became "Dad Jerry" to 18 amazing Ugandan teenagers in a boarding school. He thrived-teaching devotions, developing relationships, playing and singing in the worship band, encouraging students, and doing all he could to serve God and the students well. He did this for 4½ years with all his heart, receiving in return the love and appreciation of students and fellow mentors alike.

It was after a band practice, where Jerry was once again passionately singing, that he went to be with the Lord he loved so deeply.

On August 15th around 250 friends and family came to honor and celebrate Jerry's life. Many shared that their life had been changed for the better by knowing Jerry. Jerry's passion for The Lord and for people truly touched lives and will serve as a challenge for all of us to love without restraint or conditions.