Minister Lydia L. Davis began her service on Metro Ministries Inc.’s Board of Directors in January 2019 serving on both the Grants and Fundraising Teams. She serves at Barnes United Methodist Church, Indianapolis, where she has been a member of Barnes since 2012 upon her relocation from Northern California to care for her mother. After her mother’s death, she accepted God’s call into ministry on her life on January 4, 2014. She preached her genesis sermon on May 30, 2014 in Northwest Indiana. She received her non-UMC Clergy License in March 2018.
Minister Lydia is the Founder & President of the You Feed Them Missional Food Pantry Inc, where she and her dedicated teams serve those in need of physical and spiritual nourishment. The pantry was recognized as the 2022 Missioner of the Year Organization. In October 2021, Minister Lydia launched a Youth Savings Literacy Initiative as an Initiative of the pantry to help shorten future food pantry and social services lines. Since October 2021, 44 youth Savings Accounts have been opened through Christian Family Credit Union, with over $4,700 in total savings.
Another Initiative of her Missional Food Pantry is the Annual Back-to-School Community Resource Day held annually the 2nd Saturday in August. This year will be the 6th Annual CRD held at her church. Last year 528 Children were registered to receive: a new pair of shoes and school supply filled book bags, in addition to other gifts and prizes. Local Community Resources providers and organizations are present to share resource information with the community. In the six (6) years of You Feed Them MFP, they have served over 5000 unique recipients impacting over 20,000 lives! They have over 512 Salvations, 18 were baptized during their MFP, and there were 27 re-dedications! They’ve given out nearly 50,000 bags of groceries and toiletries.
Minister Lydia also serves with Faith, Hope and Love Community Inc since 2016. FHL is a Missional Food Pantry teaching, training and launching non-profit organization. She is the Missional Food Pantries Director, a Teacher and Trainer. She has taught, trained and helped launch (or pending to launch) as of 2023, 15 missional food pantries in churches throughout Central Indiana and now expanding into Anderson, Fort Wayne and other areas. She has introduced the gift of Salvation to many who have said yes!
She is the Founder and President of her primary passion ministry, His Love Kept Me Ministries Inc, her first outreach ministry birthed out of her life’s challenges. She has a passion to serve and help meet the needs of those struggling through pain, those who “hunger” for love, hope, help, and healing through ARK (Acts of Random Kindness).
She is the blessed mother of 33 year old twin sons, Steven and Shawn (Melanie) Sanders, both living together in Southern California. Her son Steven is his own entrepreneur. Her son Shawn is a Premium Sales Account Manager for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Minister Lydia received a Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification in May 2021. In March 2021 she was a recipient of the Elma Neal Legacy Service Award. In July 2021 she received the Good Samaritan Project Distinctive Leadership Award. In November 2020, she received an Certificate of Appreciation Essential Worker Award from the Mozel Sanders Foundation. She was a recipient of the City of Indianapolis Mayoral Proclamation for her You Feed Them Missional Food Pantry in April 2019. She is also the recipient of the 2018 Urban Servant Leader Award, the 2018 Mayor’s Community Servant Award, 2016 United Methodist Men Servant Leadership Award, 2016 United Methodist Women Special Mission Recognition Award, 2014 Calumet Star Achievers Award from her home town of East Chicago, Indiana; and other recognitions of Service.
Minister Lydia governs herself based on Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Her motto: “Don’t show up to be seen or heard, show up to help make and be a difference.”