Pastor Richard Wills, Sr., PhD.
Richard Wayne Wills, Sr., Pastor of First Baptist Church, Hampton, Virginia, has been professionally active as an architect, educator and minister.
He is a graduate of New York Tech, Old Westbury, Long Island with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture. He received the Master of Divinity Degree (Cum Laude) from Virginia Union University, School of Theology, Richmond, Virginia and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. He was a Doctor of Ministry Student, Urban Studies at Howard University Divinity School, Washington, DC and completed the degree with a dissertation in the area of "Effective Pastoral Leadership by Social Activist Pastors", at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. He completed his Ph.D. in Religious Ethics at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
Prior to accepting his call to First Baptist Church, Dr. Wills served as the Assistant Pastor of Canaan Baptist Church of Christ during Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker’s pastoral tenure; as the Senior Pastor of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama; and Pilgrim Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia. During his years at Dexter he co-authored a work entitled “Reflections on Our Pastor: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1954-1960”. In addition to having published several sermons, his essay “Annihilation, Retaliation, Reconciliation and the Pursuit of Justice: An Ethical Reflection” was published in a collective work entitled “9-11-01: African American Leaders Respond to an American Tragedy”. A celebrated work entitled “Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Image of God” was released by Oxford University and was followed by a contribution to the Fortress Press publication entitled “Bonhoeffer and King: Their Legacies and Import for Christian Social Thought”. He is currently engaged in the completion of his next publication entitled “The Pastor King” to be published with Abingdon Press.
Former teaching tenures include assignments at Selma University, Selma Alabama, Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies and Ethics at Virginia Commonwealth University and Hampton University, and is currently an Assistant Professor of Ethics and Theology on the faculty of the Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia. He is an inductee to the Morehouse College, Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers and as a delegate of the Progressive National Baptist Convention he has lectured and preached in London, England on the occasion of their annual European gathering. He has served on numerous Boards including the Advisory Board of The African American Pulpit, our nation’s most prominent Black preaching journal.
Richard is the husband of Sheila D. Martin, and they have four children Richard Jr., Whitney, Michelle and Reginald. An ordained clergy person, he is a member of the American Baptist Convention, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the American Academy of Religion, Alpha Phi Alpha, and is a life-long advocate for justice and equality.
He is a graduate of New York Tech, Old Westbury, Long Island with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture. He received the Master of Divinity Degree (Cum Laude) from Virginia Union University, School of Theology, Richmond, Virginia and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. He was a Doctor of Ministry Student, Urban Studies at Howard University Divinity School, Washington, DC and completed the degree with a dissertation in the area of "Effective Pastoral Leadership by Social Activist Pastors", at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. He completed his Ph.D. in Religious Ethics at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
Prior to accepting his call to First Baptist Church, Dr. Wills served as the Assistant Pastor of Canaan Baptist Church of Christ during Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker’s pastoral tenure; as the Senior Pastor of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama; and Pilgrim Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia. During his years at Dexter he co-authored a work entitled “Reflections on Our Pastor: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1954-1960”. In addition to having published several sermons, his essay “Annihilation, Retaliation, Reconciliation and the Pursuit of Justice: An Ethical Reflection” was published in a collective work entitled “9-11-01: African American Leaders Respond to an American Tragedy”. A celebrated work entitled “Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Image of God” was released by Oxford University and was followed by a contribution to the Fortress Press publication entitled “Bonhoeffer and King: Their Legacies and Import for Christian Social Thought”. He is currently engaged in the completion of his next publication entitled “The Pastor King” to be published with Abingdon Press.
Former teaching tenures include assignments at Selma University, Selma Alabama, Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies and Ethics at Virginia Commonwealth University and Hampton University, and is currently an Assistant Professor of Ethics and Theology on the faculty of the Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia. He is an inductee to the Morehouse College, Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers and as a delegate of the Progressive National Baptist Convention he has lectured and preached in London, England on the occasion of their annual European gathering. He has served on numerous Boards including the Advisory Board of The African American Pulpit, our nation’s most prominent Black preaching journal.
Richard is the husband of Sheila D. Martin, and they have four children Richard Jr., Whitney, Michelle and Reginald. An ordained clergy person, he is a member of the American Baptist Convention, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the American Academy of Religion, Alpha Phi Alpha, and is a life-long advocate for justice and equality.
Presiding Bishop Monroe Saunders, Jr., D.Min.
Bishop Monroe Saunders, Jr. a native of Baltimore, Maryland, furthered his formal educational pursuits at Morgan State University, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Social Welfare and later received a Masters Degree from Howard University in Religion & Education and the Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
Bishop Saunders has held two prior pastorates; First United Church of Jesus Christ in Detroit, Michigan and the Capitol Hill United Church of Jesus Christ in Washington DC. Currently he pastors the Transformation Ministries of the United Church of Jesus Christ, Baltimore, Maryland, a ministry founded by his father the late Bishop Monroe Saunders, Sr., D.Min. as the First United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) in 1965.
Among his many accomplishments and responsibilities Bishop Saunders serves as:
Bishop Saunders is also very civic minded and strives to be active in community affairs. He has served in the following capacities:
Bishop Saunders is the author of A Journey to Faith Barren with a Promise, a book written to encourage those who are going through barren moments in their lives to build their faith, because out of barrenness, the seed of promise can break forth! He was also featured in the Fall 2009 issue of “The African American Pulpit”, a quarterly journal that serves as a repository for the very best of African American preaching. In addition, he is the author of A Journey to Transformation, Seeing the World Through a Different Lens. All of his accomplishments and responsibilities are too numerous to mention here but one can see he is dedicated and committed to all that the Lord gives him to do.
As the eldest son of one of the country’s most prominent Apostolic ministers, his call to the ministry at the age of 17 was neither unexpected nor unwelcomed. From 1980 until December 1992, Bishop Saunders, Jr. served as Executive Pastor of the First United Church and in March of 1993 he was officially installed as Pastor. Since becoming Pastor, Bishop Saunders, Jr. has strived to teach and preach the recovering of lost souls for the kingdom of God, and the equipping of saints for the work of the ministry. Pastor Saunders senses the urgency for unity in the body of Christ and the need for transformative spiritual development. He is endeavoring to move as the Spirit of the Lord directs him to enable their fulfillment. The Spirit of God’s anointing is felt by those around the world who are touched by his outstanding preaching and teaching ministry.
His wife, Lady Winsome R. Saunders, and his family make the love and joy of his life complete. The Transformation Church is blessed to have as Pastor, Bishop Monroe Saunders, Jr., a visionary and leader of spiritual transformation during this critical time in our history.
Bishop Saunders has held two prior pastorates; First United Church of Jesus Christ in Detroit, Michigan and the Capitol Hill United Church of Jesus Christ in Washington DC. Currently he pastors the Transformation Ministries of the United Church of Jesus Christ, Baltimore, Maryland, a ministry founded by his father the late Bishop Monroe Saunders, Sr., D.Min. as the First United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) in 1965.
Among his many accomplishments and responsibilities Bishop Saunders serves as:
- Presiding Prelate of the United Church of Jesus Christ.
- President of the Center for More Abundant Life which encompasses two Section 8 housing projects for the disabled and elderly
- Executive Director of the Center for Creative Learning, an institution-providing academic excellence for children ages 2 through 5.
- President of Pneumiah Vision, Inc. – A Community Development Corporation
Bishop Saunders is also very civic minded and strives to be active in community affairs. He has served in the following capacities:
- A board member of the Transplant Resource Center of Baltimore
- As an executive board member of the Howard County Housing Commission
- Member of the Board of Directors of the Mayfield Avenue Community Association
- Board Member of the National Conference of Christian Jews – State chapter
- Diocese Bishop for the 6th Episcopal Diocese – Florida & 8th Episcopal Diocese - Canada
Bishop Saunders is the author of A Journey to Faith Barren with a Promise, a book written to encourage those who are going through barren moments in their lives to build their faith, because out of barrenness, the seed of promise can break forth! He was also featured in the Fall 2009 issue of “The African American Pulpit”, a quarterly journal that serves as a repository for the very best of African American preaching. In addition, he is the author of A Journey to Transformation, Seeing the World Through a Different Lens. All of his accomplishments and responsibilities are too numerous to mention here but one can see he is dedicated and committed to all that the Lord gives him to do.
As the eldest son of one of the country’s most prominent Apostolic ministers, his call to the ministry at the age of 17 was neither unexpected nor unwelcomed. From 1980 until December 1992, Bishop Saunders, Jr. served as Executive Pastor of the First United Church and in March of 1993 he was officially installed as Pastor. Since becoming Pastor, Bishop Saunders, Jr. has strived to teach and preach the recovering of lost souls for the kingdom of God, and the equipping of saints for the work of the ministry. Pastor Saunders senses the urgency for unity in the body of Christ and the need for transformative spiritual development. He is endeavoring to move as the Spirit of the Lord directs him to enable their fulfillment. The Spirit of God’s anointing is felt by those around the world who are touched by his outstanding preaching and teaching ministry.
His wife, Lady Winsome R. Saunders, and his family make the love and joy of his life complete. The Transformation Church is blessed to have as Pastor, Bishop Monroe Saunders, Jr., a visionary and leader of spiritual transformation during this critical time in our history.