In a church building he helped his father construct, Oscar Davis and his wife, Evelyn, are now helping instill Christian values in some young charges.

Little Lamb Day Care, owned by Davis’ Greater Faith Tabernacle Church, is the first black church-owned day care center in Natchez.

&uot;This is part of our vision,&uot; said Oscar Davis, who has been pastor of the 30-year-old church for seven years. &uot;It’s part of the church vision to reach out to young children and to help the single mothers out. We see it as a ministry.&uot;

The church has now moved to a new facility in Roxie, leaving the church Davis’ father built on Crown Court open for the day care.

Evelyn serves as director of the day care, which has the capacity to serve 30 children ages 6 months to 12 years in its day care and after-school program.

&uot;We want to give (the children) a solid foundation so that when they get into school they’ll be able to make the right choices,&uot; Evelyn said. &uot;And for the after-school program we’ll be able to instill a little of Christ in them.&uot;

To serve needy families, Little Lambs has seven free slots available for children in families which are 85 percent below the poverty line, Evelyn said.

Little Lamb is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and can stay open later if necessary.

The Davises are proud their church is the first black church to own a day care in Adams County.

&uot;We’ve always wanted to be a pacesetter,&uot; Oscar said. &uot;And we have a heart for children.&uot;

&uot;It makes you feel good.&uot;