Pastor Ovella was raised in the city of Detroit and a graduate of Detroit Public Schools Mackenzie High School.
She began her journey through music ministry at 18 years old. She began attending church services at Obedient M.B. church where she served as organist, under the late Rev. D. Walker Sr. She served as Minister of Music for 12 years. While serving in music ministry, she enrolled in Mattie Moss Clark Conservatory under the tutelage of Twinkie Clark.
In 1994 she was selected by Hammond-Suzuki USA, Inc. to become the 1st Michigan rep for the new MIDI capable XB3 and Leslie 750. Her sales expertise surpassed the projected organ sales. The company asked that she aim to sell 6 Hammonds in that year however, we sold 6 in the 1st 3 months.
Shortly after accepting Christ at age 18, her mom suddenly passed. It was then that she developed a deep quest to know God. Accepting a higher calling into Ministry Her journey ultimately led her to Dr. Emery Moss Jr, Pastor of Strictly Biblical Bible Teaching Ministries. For 10 years she as Minister of Music she achieved ETA training in biblical studies as well as her teaching accreditation through the Ecumenical Theological Seminary.
After 26 years of serving in music ministry, with great reluctance, she accepted the call to Pastor. In May 2007 God gave her the vision to organize Always in Jesus Presence Ministries where she now serves as Pastor. This year, June 2023 marks her 16th year anniversary as Pastor.
In 2010, She founded and organized a 501C3, The United Communities of America. Their mission and focus are the reduction of crime through the promotion of peace, healing, and positive change. The UCOA has been recognized by Mayor Dave Bing, and Mayor Mike Duggan as well as 13 other Mayors and city councils whereby proclamations have been given, declaring each 22nd day as a No Violence Day. The mission is to spread The Message from Exodus 20:13 stating God Said “Thou Shall Not Kill. The UCOA has organized 2 Thou Shall Not Kill Motorcades whereby over 46 funeral hearse and 300 family cars traveled selected routes through Detroit. Each Funeral hearse displayed a car magnet stating God Said “Thou Shall Not Kill.
In 2013, Pastor Ovella was appointed by the late Sherriff Benny Napoleon to the Wayne County Sherriff’s Chaplaincy. She was historically the 1st female Chaplain appointed to the Chaplaincy under his leadership,
In, April 2017, another historic work took place under her leadership where 46 billboards declaring God said “Thou Shall Not Kill” were sponsored and placed throughout Detroit over violence. The goal is each 22 be recognized as a national No Violence Day. A Day of peace in America.
In the 2018-2019 school year, The United Communities of America launched a new youth violence prevention program “Students for Peace’ in 2 schools, Robichaud High and Ecorse High. The results were impacting. After 3 months, both schools Robichaud High School and Ecorse High school reported significant reduction in violence, bullying and altercations.
Ecorse Principal Kenneth Mc Phaul states “In 24 years of being in education, I have never seen anything that has had this type of effect on students. We have seen a 30% reduction in altercations in 3 months.
Mayor Paletko of Dearborn Height, who has witnessed the response from Robichaud students states that “the Students for Peace program is literally saving lives.”
In 2020 during Covid she enrolled to achieve her Purpose Development Coaching Certification from The Purpose Development Institute, Atlanta Georgia. Her coaching practice is integrated into the CODE22 violence reduction initiative and is presently being implemented in Kenross Correctional facility, Northwestern High School, and Dickerson Juvenile detention center.
Author Bio-The Black church Worship Experience and the Hammond B3
Ovella Davis is a pastor, organist, worship leader, lecturer, and visionary voice dedicated to preserving and illuminating the legacy of Black church worship and sacred music culture. With years of experience immersed in the sound, spirit, and tradition of gospel worship, Davis brings a rare blend of scholarship, musical insight, historical reflection, and lived experience to his work.
His groundbreaking book, The Black Church Worship Experience and the Hammond B3, explores the profound relationship between the Hammond organ and the worship traditions of the Black church. Through historical insight, cultural analysis, musical interpretation, and spiritual reflection, Davis documents how the iconic Hammond B3 became more than an instrument — it became a voice of celebration, lament, testimony, power, and transformation within generations of worship experiences.
Davis is passionate about educating audiences on the artistry, innovation, emotional expression, and spiritual significance of gospel music traditions. Her workshops and presentations uniquely combine storytelling, musical demonstration, historical perspective, and worship theology, creating unforgettable experiences for musicians, scholars, churches, and cultural institutions alike.
As an emerging author and presenter, Ovella Davis seeks to preserve a sacred musical heritage while inspiring future generations to appreciate the enduring impact of the Hammond sound on Black worship culture, gospel music, and American musical history.
