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Atmore First Assembly of God celebrated the 51-year ministry of Pastors Don and Sara Davis Oct. 23 at its 11 a.m. service.

Don and Sara began their ministry in Atmore in 1987. Prior to coming to Atmore, Don and Sara served some 13 years in Sylacauga.

In addition to musical selections dedicated to Don and Sara, their three children, Sara Beth, Joshua and Jared spoke about their parents’ influence on their lives and to others.

“Those two have been the biggest blessing in my life,” Sara Beth, a schoolteacher just like her mom, said. “We were their first mission field.”

Sara Beth said the power of prayer was and is evident in each of their lives. She said when Jared and Joshua would help drive her to school, they’d pray and she would repeat the said prayer.

When she was old enough to drive, she kept the tradition going.

To honor her parents, Sara Beth performed a sign language dance to “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.”

Joshua, a realtor, noted his parents’ missions work, including 70 mission trips, Camp AFA and their emphasis and importance on the teaching of children.

Joshua recalled a story when his father stood up to the Ku Klux Klan while serving in Sylacauga.

“He told them, ‘My God is bigger than cowards in a mask full of hate,’” Joshua said.

Joshua said all three of them were blessed to have Don and Sara because they invested in each of them.

“They dedicated their children to God,” he said. “They dedicated your children to God.”

Jared, a pastor at River City Church in Jacksonville, Fla., said throughout his ministry, he has been able to experience a lot of different churches.

Jared said there was a time when he came home to Atmore for a while, and a shift occurred in him.

“I started listening, and began to learn from a deep well of wisdom,” Jared said.

Jared spoke about the many accomplishments and projects both of his parents were a part of and still put on to this day.

Jared marveled on his father’s Monday Night Prayer commitment and his mother’s commitment to children.

“It’s not just a legacy,” Jared said.

At the end of the service, the church prayed for Don and Sara, and a lunch was held in the church recreation field across the street.

Early in the service, Don and Sara were gifted a trip to Israel by the church. They’ll make their pilgrimage on Nov. 6-16, 2023.