Before David Platt was Born, Don Davis was Radical

The byline of the book Radical is Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream.  Before David Platt was born, Don and Ann Davis were living a radical lifestyle.  They were extremely sacrificial with their resources and focused on local and global missions.  Don went home to be with the Lord last week.  At his funeral service, his pastor, son, grandson, granddaughter, and others spoke of Don’s great desire to help people find Christ.

Having been on 70 mission trips around the globe, the former Sunday School Board (LifeWay) employee lived his life with an urgency to tell others around the world about his Savior, Jesus Christ.  Whether it was a massive hurricane, devastating flood, the aftermath of tornadoes, or an African safari, Don was going to be there to lend a hand and use the opportunity as a vehicle to be an unashamed Gospel witness.

He and Ann gave their home and farm in Mt. Juliet to missions.  On this property, the Missions Mobilization Center will soon be completed.  Don was helping frame interior walls at the MMC the day before he died.  This 30,000 square foot facility will serve as a state-of-the-art training center and equipment warehouse for Disaster Relief and Campers on Mission.  The Davis farm will also eventually be the home for IMB missionaries on state-side assignment.  My hope and prayer is that we will see this incredible family’s work and “go and do likewise.”

The truth of the matter is that many generations before us that have lived radical lives.  Having a burden for the world, giving sacrificially, desiring people go to heaven instead of hell, planting churches, and giving their life are not new ideas or concepts.  Randy Davis, David Platt, and all the others who claim the name of Christ and have a Great Commission focus, stand on the shoulders of generations before us that have had a heart to reach the world for Christ.  May we be extreme in our humility and may we be radical in our devotion to carry out Great Commission work.  But we must not be blind to those that have gone before us faithfully carrying out the Gospel.  We praise the Lord for the trail blazed, the example set, and the fruit that will last an eternity harvested because of their servant leadership.