Don Davidson has been the pastor at the First Baptist Church in Alexandria for the past four years. In that time, he has been the chaplain for a day at the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. He has also preached to a flock that’s known to be constantly in flux as government employees and military personnel shift jobs and locations.
What brought you to Alexandria?
I was in Danville, Virginia, for 17 years, and I thought that would be the only church I call home. The First Baptist Church in Alexandria is really the only church I would have left Danville for. It presents a challenge, and it’s intriguing.
What sort of challenge?
We have a constant flow of people in and out of town for government jobs and military assignments. I have the chance to influence their lives, hopefully for the good, and then send them on their way. We have many servicemen and -women heading into war zones.
Being in D.C., do you find that politics and religion often mix?
It’s a thrill to be a pastor here. I studied history and political science in college, and I enjoy interacting with people in leadership. But I don’t inject politics into my ministry. I stay neutral. I am here to preach the Gospel. People here live with politics all week, and they come here for a break and to be with God. I try to honor that.
You led the Senate and the House in prayer. Did you try to send a message?
I don’t try to instruct. I reminded them that God gives us wisdom when we ask for it. These are men and women who we want to have wisdom to make decisions in the spirit of Jesus. To have a little bit of heaven on Earth would be a good thing.
