About Us
Who is Brothers for Christ Community Response (BCCR)?
BCCR is an organization founded by Rev. Steven L. Davis, Sr., Min. Cornelius D. Studifin and Lillian K. Davis in the year of 2003. The vision came to Rev. Davis while incarcerated in Ohio in 1997. It was at this time he was in the grips of addiction, contemplating suicide and on a cold concrete floor in the county jail. One thing he knew at that time was that he did not want to continue to live a life in the manner that he had been existing for some years. Praying to God with the hopes that he would get out of jail he heard an audible voice say that he was going to preach his word. Not what he was expecting yet he felt a peace within concerning his situation.
He was sentenced to the minimal time, and he used this time to prepare for his release. Though he did not know it at the time he was only gaining head knowledge and not the application (heart knowledge) of what he was studying. The thought of creating a sustainable outreach ministry that would assist those who found themselves in like situations as he was in was his goal, thus the birthing of Brothers for Christ Community Response, (B. C. C. R.).
Upon release from incarceration in Ohio he transferred his post-release control sanctions to Virginia where his mother resided. He immediately found work which was comprised of two jobs and he was on his way (so he thought) to achieving the level of success that would be the model for those he would assist. After only four months from his release date he reoffended and was incarcerated for the next eight years, eight months and fourteen days for the crime of robbery perpetrated during a crack cocaine induced high. It was at this point he became “Determined and Committed” to serving in his calling. He committed himself to studying himself first and then those around me.
BCCR was officially organized and incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the year of 2003. From this time until today we have walked in the order of our calling and sought to serve wherever we are needed. We are seeking to be lights to those who sit in dark places and encourage them that they too can recover from a life of controlling issues.
BCCR is based upon five pillars. These five pillars were determined after interviewing over 1,100 men while incarcerated as to what they believed that they needed in order to be successful upon release. These five pillars are: 1. Faith in Christ Jesus, 2. Substance Abuse Recovery/Prevention, 3. Marketable Job Skills, 4. Family, 5. Education. Though there is no specific order these five areas stood out with those interviewed. BCCR is Christ centered though anyone having a need of our service is welcome providing funding is available.
BCCR is comprised of several ministries within itself. Those ministries consist of: Reentry and Recovery, Feeding the homeless and less fortunate, Assisting the senior members of the community, Jail and prison outreach, Life Coaching and consulting, a men’s sober living house The Gray House and our latest endeavor Harmony and Hope Houe for Women a women’s sober living house. Our primary focus is assisting those who are returning to society from incarceration, rehabilitation, or some other form of confinement to become and remain productive, contributing, Christ centered members of our community.
Rev. Steven L. Davis, Sr
Founder/President
I Rev. Steven L. Davis, Sr., was born and raised in Cleveland. Ohio to the parents of Richard and Lillian Davis. After the passing of my father at the tender age of 13 I was thrust into the position of the man in the house, man period. With no instructions of what a man was, I began to mimic those around me. I started selling and using illegal and legal substances.
Carrying honors classes from the second grade through high school I then attended Youngstown State University for my freshman year. After my freshman year, I did not return to school. Thus began my self-employment, which consisted of contract work and street pharmaceutical sales.
This led to a life of Substance use and crime, which eventually led to incarceration in Ohio. It was during this time that I received the call to preach but I had no training and a whole lot of head knowledge. After release from prison, I relocated to Virginia where I lasted about four months before being reincarcerated. This time I was determined and committed not to return to prison and Brothers for Christ Community Response was dropped in my spirit.
Still understanding the call on my life, I immersed myself in the Word of God and began preparing for how I was going to stay out of prison once released. Brothers for Christ Community Response was birthed on January 24, 2003, while still on the inside, as we became incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Upon release, we had grand ideas of how we would save the world. Reality set in and we had to change our philosophy.
After my release, I pastored Emmanuel Baptist Church in Lebanon, VA for six years before moving into full-time reentry/recovery ministry. During this season I completed my bachelor’s degree and my master’s Degree. Using my gifting and education we turned from simply a reentry ministry to a reentry/recovery ministry because of the plight of so many around us suffering from substance abuse. We were offered the opportunity to establish Bristol’s first sober living house, and we did and have since added a women’s house Harmony and Hope House of Bristol, TN.
As a published author of “You Better Know,” the three knows that got me through” I use my book as a business card to share with whoever, wherever and whenever I can of how I got over. Understanding my Life’s calling is to assist those who find themselves in like situations as I once found myself, I spend a vast amount of my time in the prison system, and through my daily work as a Qualified Mental Health Professional share my strength, and hope Jesus Christ.
Married to the lovely Ann Davis for 11 years now, we have five beautiful children and reside in Abingdon, VA.
Margaret "Ann" Davis
Co-Founder/Secretary
Margaret A. Davis: attended John Battle High from 1994-1998. Later, she moved to Kentucky to help care for her ailing grandfather. While she was there, she signed up through Moggoffin County, KY For a nursing degree. She ended up at Lexington KY hospital for 4 years as a CAN. Before that, she had worked with the school board and the Head Start program. Her grandfather passed away so she moved back to Bristol where she met her wonderful husband Rev. Steven L. Davis Sr. The founder of this ministry and also the author of “You Better Know”. She is currently the executive director of a sober living home in Bristol TN called Harmony and Hope House. We have been going for 3 years strong now. Finally, she resides in VA with my amazing husband of 11 years and 4 of their 5 children.
Donna Camper
Position
raduated in 1977 from ETSU with a BS in education. Taught in Bristol TN schools for 38 years in kindergarten. Am currently a Deaconess and Lay Minister serving at Enterprise Methodist Church as the song leader and choir director. Am a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for teachers, serving as a local officer and member of state committees. I was the director of Bristol Recovery Road for women ( a recovery home) for 15 years. I am also currently serving as the Assistant Director for Harmony and Hope House. I am married to Joe and have a daughter, Carly, married to Nick, and a grandson, Hudson.
to be filled
Vice Chairperson
Dr. James Catt, DBA, MSL, Ordained Chaplain
Treasurer
Dr. James Catt has been a resident of the Tri-Cities area since 2022, transitioning to this area from the Midwest with his wife. Although born and raised in California, he had set down his roots in the Midwest, raising two children and established himself in the healthcare and education fields. He currently works in regulatory compliance with a local hospital system as well as being a Professor of Practice for a university based in Kansas. Over the years he has obtained his Doctor of Business Administration as well as a Master of Leadership degree. Since moving to the east coast area his passion has become chaplaincy work. He volunteers regularly with prisons both in Tennessee and Virginia, working with chapel services and Kairos ministry activities. He also volunteers with several hospitals within the area. He has been a Christian for many years, but has really begun to build his faith and the foundation of his beliefs here in the ministry opportunities within the Bristol area.
Douglas Giel
Board Member
I am retired from the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, where I worked for 22 years. I served as director of human resources and retired as director of shared services, overseeing the following areas: human resources, customer service, information systems, facilities management, and the Manatee Observation and Education Center.
Before working for the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, I worked for a national cement manufacturing company (General Portland Inc. for 12 years in Labor Relations and Information Systems. I worked out of the Miami plant office, the Tampa division office, and the corporate headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Before that, I worked for the Hawaii Community College system as an instructor in management and finance for six years.
I earned a BA and an MBA from Long Island University in New York.
Jerry Johnson
Board Member
High school graduate. College educated. Served time in prison. Ministers to the homeless people in the Bristol area. A beacon of light in the darkness of those lost to drugs and alcohol. Boardmember with BCCR for past 3 1/2 yrs showing and helping the men of the grey house see that they too can make good and better choices.