Campus Mourns Passing of Pastor Jon Davis

Dear Campus Community,

It is with mixed emotions that I write today to announce the death of Rev. Jonathan “Jon” D. Davis, associate vice president for spiritual life, on March 9 from multiform glioblastoma (stage 4). He was diagnosed in 2021 and lived the last five years fully continuing to minister on campus and to the many medical personnel he met while receiving treatment at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. Mixed because we miss him already, but we are full of praise because he is with Jesus!

Jon Davis loved Jesus! He shared his love for our Lord with everyone – everyone he met. Jon, Lynette, and their entire family have been instrumental to CSU in immeasurable ways. From sharing the gospel daily, mentoring students, preaching, and sharing a meal with friends and colleagues in the Caf, Jon’s impact on the kingdom has helped to shape eternity for so many.

A beloved member of the Charleston Southern family, Jon never met a stranger. His 35-year journey at CSU began when he was appointed an assistant football coach in 1991. He began his football coaching career at Temple University before coming to Charleston Southern and joining the Buccaneer football team. Jon left coaching in 1999 to pursue full-time ministry as pastor of Summit Church in North Charleston, a position he held until his death.

He returned to Charleston Southern in 2004 as assistant campus pastor; he was named campus pastor in 2011, assistant dean of students and director of the Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership in 2018 and was named associate vice president for spiritual life in 2019. He also served as an adjunct professor in the College of Christian Studies.

He held a BA from Catawba College, a Master of Divinity, and Master of Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he was a member of the Evangelical Theological Seminary, and had begun studies toward his doctorate at the time of his diagnosis.

Jon and his wife, Lynette, have four children and three grandchildren. CSU was their fifth child. The Davis family is invested in the university. Davis family members with connections to CSU:

• brother James A. Davis is a current member of the CSU Board of Trustees
• daughter Lauren Davis Sibrava BS 2016, MEd 2020, EdD 2024
• son-in-law Zach Sibrava BS  2016, MEd 2020
• daughter-in-law Lindsey Diel Davis BA 2024

Information about a celebration of life will follow soon.

In Christ,

Keith Faulkner, President