Just beyond the Return, the “Gateway” to West Africa awaits you! The tour begins in Accra where you will visit the W.E.B. DuBois Center for Pan Africanism and Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum. Travel west for Elmina to see the where the struggle of the African American began. Experience the dungeons that were designed to steal hope, but today we celebrate at the Door of Return. Head north, stop to hear the echoes of the ancestors at Assin Manso (the River of the Last Bath; for those captured by the slave trappers). Visit Kumasi, the historic and majestic Ashante Region the home of the golden stool and more! We will round the tour out with a farewell ceremony like no other back in Accra, visit the beaches and return to the USA with a new perspective on life! 

The Sankofa Tour is more than just a trip or vacation, it is fun in the sun, mixed with history, culture and conversations that will provoke a fresh new light on the world, your community and yourself. Bishop Lance Davis, the Executive Minister of the Evangelical Covenant Church has traveled to Ghana, West Africa for over 20 years. Now, through Sankofa US, he has designed a tour that will bring a unique experience to travelers and enhance their perspective of themselves and of Ghana, West Africa!

Sankofa is the ancient Adinkra Symbol of a bird flying forward, yet looking back with a fruit in its mouth. We call this trip the Sankofa Tour because as we make forward progression in our lives, it is important that we look back to the place that connects us to the root of our being; all while bringing something to the table and leaving with something of value - good fruit. 

visit www.Dometi.net/Ghana or www.SankofaUS.com

Bishop Lance L. Davis received a call to Christian Ministry in 1991. He served faithfully under the leadership of Rev. Craig Melvin Smith at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago and then under Bishop Henry M. Williamson at Carter Temple C.M.E. Church in Chicago. In 1994 he was assigned by Bishop Doty I. Isom to serve as pastor of the J. Claude Allen C.M.E. Church (JCA) in Dixmoor, Illinois. Bishop Davis began his pastorate with a small congregation of 45 active members and an annual operating budget of $35,000. God, however, had greater plans for JCA. During Bishop Davis’ tenure, the membership grew to approximately 1,000 with an annual operating budget of half a million dollars. Bishop Davis’ unwavering love and commitment to God, coupled with his business acumen, allowed the ministry of JCA to reach unimaginable horizons. 

Bishop Davis launched an exemplary One Church One School program in the South Suburbs, starting at Rosa Parks Middle School in Dixmoor. His strong community focus led to the development of Boys to Men Breakfast Ministry and the Essence Ministry for Girls; which were ways for men and women to provide much needed guidance to the youth residing in the South Suburban communities. Bishop Davis also instituted a Rites of Passage summer program teaching youth the importance of living a life of integrity and Christian character as they transitioned into adulthood. 

In 2003, Bishop Lance Davis established New Zion Christian Fellowship, now New Zion Covenant, in Dolton, Illinois. New Zion has served the Southern Cook County community for over a decade with a strong emphasis on the disciplines of worship, fellowship, discipleship, service and the mission of evangelism in the Body of Christ. Bishop Davis has mentored several pastors and ministry leaders and assisted with the establishment of many churches. In addition to these ministries, Bishop Davis is the founder and Executive Director of Building Our Own Community (BOOC), Inc. which is established in the United States and in Ghana, West Africa. Bishop Davis also established Sankofa Ventures Management, Inc., an international company operating in Ghana, West Africa to create job opportunities for men and women locally and abroad. 

Bishop Davis is ordained by the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) and is a commissioned member of the Compassion, Mercy & Justice Ministry of the Central Conference of the ECC. His Pauline anointing allows him to work inside and outside of his ministerial calling. He is the cofounder of the African American Clergy Coalition and a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. His office walls are covered with various awards and plaques attesting to his tireless, extensive work in the local and global community. His more recent honors are from great organizations such as the Chicago Defender’s Pastors Solute, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the American Heart Association, and the Evangelical Covenant Church. He also was recognized as one of the Most Influential Black Pastors by Chicago’s Voice. Bishop Davis is married to the lovely Dr. Kara Davis and they have four beautiful children: Grace, Andrew, Lance Nathaniel and Natalie.