Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. D.Min
Chief Apostle Monroe Saunders, Sr. & Lady Alberta Saunders
THE FORMATIVE YEARS
Cradled in the Methodist Church was one destined to become a true Prince of Pentecost. He left his Methodist Church, his family, abrogated his college education, left the place of his birth, Florence, South Carolina, and moved to Baltimore, Maryland. The untimely death of his brother was an extremely heavy burden upon young Monroe, which precipitated the opportunity to father his brother’s children. Everyone in his environment noted his fascination, the seriousness with which Monroe took his surrogate role in raising his niece and three nephews. His taking up residence into his sister-in-laws house underscored his commitment to the task of raising those children.
While residing with his sister-in-law, he visited her church and saw and felt something that was totally absent from his Methodist Church experience. He thirsted for the manifestation of what he saw; the church he visited was literally on fire for God. Soon after his visit, he received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. Young Monroe immersed himself in all aspects of church life and activities. The intensity with which he pursued his tasks and the anointing of the Holy Ghost upon his life soon caught the attention of his Pastor. The pastor of the Church of God in Christ #6, Elder Randolph A. Carr, became his mentor as he recognized the deep spirituality of this young man and his creative genius. Pastor Carr provided him with diversified opportunities for church service and leadership. With his dedication, coupled with the training he received in his Methodist background, young Monroe edited and published the church’s first newspaper. He directed the church’s sanctuary choir; he organized street services; he visited sick members; he held prayer meetings; he taught Sunday School; he directed church dramas; and he taught Bible class. Additionally, he was an anointed preacher of the word.
All of young Monroe’s activities showed his readiness for ministry. The people to whom he ministered recognized the call of God upon his life and fortunately his pastor saw, without a shadow of a doubt, the manifestation of the Holy Ghost in him. Bishop R.A. Carr ordained him as a church elder.
Monroe R. Saunders was drafted into the United States Army to serve in World War II. His army experience became a catalyst for his expanded vision of the body of Christ; he experienced a spiritual renewal and deeper understanding of the omnipotence and omniscience of an Almighty God. As an Army Chaplain stationed in Texas, he worshipped in different settings, made many friends, and ministered to large groups of men in the army. The saints in Baltimore undergirded him with prayer, wrote letters of encouragement, and eagerly awaited his return.
Monroe received an honorable discharge from the United States Army. A range of possibilities and options were available to him, but he chose to return to Baltimore. His niece and nephews were now a young lady and young men, but they still relied upon his guidance and fatherly advice.
Young Monroe, now a mature man of 28 years, desired a wife and family. He sought God for a wife and God showed him the lovely Alberta Brockington. He followed the custom of his day, conferred with his pastor and shared the secret of his heart with the hope of getting his advice and approval. He then sought the approval of her father. When God, the pastor, and her father approved, Monroe told Alberta about his spark of love. Although she was 17, she accepted his proposal, and a short and blissful courtship ensued. On July 31, 1947, Monroe and Alberta were joined in holy matrimony. This marriage, which was made in heaven, produced 6 children.
THE SCHOLAR
Monroe’s desire to complete the college education he had begun at Virginia State College was still unfulfilled. He did not wish to offend his pastor or others who thought he had enough education, so he discretely enrolled at Howard University, Washington, D.C., as a part-time sociology major. Four years later, he earned his BA degree in Sociology from Howard University, Magna Cum Laude.
Considered by many as a man ahead of his time, he was always on the cutting edge of what many religious traditionalists would deem impossible dreams and accomplishments for Pentecostal Christians. In the late 50’s and early 60’s, Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. returned to his Alma Mater, Howard University to earn a theology degree. During his matriculation in the School of Divinity, he maintained his high academic and scholarly standards. This Pentecostal minister who had dared to formally advance his education impressed many of his faculty, including Dean Samuel Gandy and Dr. Leon Wright. He successfully completed his course of study and earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree.
Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. determined that it was time for him to earn his Doctor of Ministry degree from the Howard University School of Divinity.
In 1979, the educator Monroe R. Saunders founded The Monroe R. Saunders Center for Creative Learning, a primary grade school, which is still in operation.
People throughout the United States, Canada, The United Kingdom, Africa and the isles of the Caribbean respected Bishop Saunders as a scholar, a student of the word, a prolific writer, an intellectual, and an outstanding preacher. He was a man whose intellectual acumen was in submission to the Holy Spirit. This submission produced some of the most anointed, dynamic and inspiring messages known to Pentecost. This was truly a man of spiritual and intellectual excellence.
A PRINCE IN GOD’S CHURCH
In 1948, The Church of God in Christ #6 was re-named Rehoboth Church of God in Christ, Apostolic; it was located from the two hundred block of Mount Street to the corner of Fulton and Riggs Avenues. During this period the pastor said that God had called him to stretch out and had revealed to him baptism in the name of Jesus. The church grew by leaps and bounds. With the new revelation, the congregation received re-baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. The pastor, the late Bishop R. A. Carr expanded the local assembly concept into an International Church Organization. Baptism in the name of Jesus and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost
distinguished this new organization.
Elder Saunders was extraordinarily effective in dealing with hard core cases of resistance to the gospel. Most famous and dreaded were his altar calls. When he fastened his eyes upon the sinner and pointed his finger, declaring "come out of that corner, you cannot
hide," few souls remained in their seats.
The Annual Holy Convocation of Rehoboth Churches Apostolic was a high holy event. Church prelates, parishioners, and friends made Rehoboth Church, relocated to 700 Poplar Grove Street their holy ground for seven days. The time of this grand celebration was 50 days after the biblical event of Pentecost. In 1957, the hallmark of the Holy convocation, was the ordination of Elder Monroe Saunders, Sr. Elder Sydney A. Dunn, Elder John S. Watson to the office of Bishop. This ordination service was the most anointed, spiritually charged, emotionally moving service that many delegates had ever witnessed. That Friday night the atmosphere filled with excitement and joyful praise as Bishop Carr summoned Elder Saunders, Elder Dunn and Elder Watson to the altar to be consecrated as Bishops. The congregation wept with tears of joy during the ordination ceremony. The three young elders approached the altar slowly; simultaneously they fell prostrate on the floor before God and before the presiding prelate Bishop R. A. Carr. The three young men arose after the consecration with the official title Bishop Monroe Saunders, Sr., Bishop Sydney A. Dunn and Bishop John S. Watson. The brethren received them with thunderous applause, hallelujahs and praises to God.
Bishop Saunders, Sr. and his spiritual father reached a heart rending decision and parted ways on 1965. The separation was painful, and the healing process was long. They loved each other dearly, but because of God's sovereignty and mercy, both men survived the separation and moved forward in The Lord. First United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) was incorporated in November 1965 in Washington, D.C. At that time Bishop Saunders was pastor of the Rehoboth Church, Washington D.C. at what was formerly a Greek Orthodox building at the corner of 8th and L streets. The current Washington Convention Center now occupies the holy spot that holy spot of ground where the church was located. There, at 8th and L the ministry of Bishop Saunders saw the magnetic pull of young college students from Howard University, and other institutions of higher learning. Also, Bishop Saunders was involved with a neighborhood project of revitalization with Rev. Louis Sullivan. The saints from Baltimore journeyed with Bishop Saunders on w weekly basis to 8th and L for should stirring worship services.
In November, 1965, Bishop Saunders, and a small body of praying believers who had been journeying to Washington, D.C. for services, gave their time and finances to purchase the classic stone church building at 3400 Copley Road in Baltimore, Maryland. It became the new home of First United COJC Apostolic, but more importantly, it was a haven for Pentecost. The atmosphere was electrified by the manifestation of Holy Ghost ministry gifts that many saints had not seen in operation. Multitudes visited First United Church to witness this 1965 “Azusa Street . Similar to the Azusa Street Revival in the early part of the twentieth century, there were spectators and doubters; however, many of the casual observers themselves, received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and became faithful members of this “Acts 2:38” church.
Bishop Saunders became an archetype of “a new” Pentecostal ministerial persona. The symbolic relationship between the powers of the Holy Ghost, Bishop Saunders Pentecostal experience, his higher education, produced some of the most powerful spiritual explosion in services he conducted. Bishop Saunders chose to love rather than to condemn, resulting in many souls coming to Christ.
One of the crowning features of Bishop Saunders’ ministry at Copley Road was the monthly “Deeper Life Retreat”. On the third Saturday of each month, the faithful would gather to be taught some of the most profound spiritual truths by Bishop Saunders.
People left some of those sessions changed forever. Even today one gets goose bumps, and unusual sweating when he or she recalls the experiences of those days. Reports indicated that, that during those sessions, more than one individual had “out of body experience” into an ethereal realm where only the spirit of transformed man or woman and the spirit of God can exist.
Bishop Monroe Randolph Saunders, Sr., had the undergirding of a group of praying members known as the Prayer Tower. These intercessors kept the church and the pastor lifted up before the throne of God in daily prayer. Bishop “Monroe” seemed to have been getting younger. With renewed energy, his work load also increased. He seemed ready for new challenges, for new territories to conquer for the Kingdom of God.
By the summer of 1966, ministers and their church congregations from around the United States, England, and the Caribbean entreated Bishop Saunders to expand his vision into an international church organization. Many pastors and preachers wanted to model their church’s ministry in the mold of First United Church. Others wanted to affiliate with a Pentecostal ministry that was consistent in word and deed. This led Bishop Saunders, Sr. to establish the United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) He served as the first Presiding Bishop of the new organization.
The church at Copley Road had outgrown its physical plant and a move became urgent. A prime acreage of land was on the real estate market in West Baltimore, for which First United won the contract. In the late 70’s the church on Copley Road moved to 5150 Baltimore National Pike, its current location.
In July, 2004, the United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) the organization founded by Bishop Monroe Saunders, Sr., recognizing his enormous contribution to the Pentecostal Movement and his continued work in ministry, consecrated him to Chief Apostle in perpetuity. His influence on Pentecost is etched in the ministries of hundreds of ministers worldwide. They have lit their torches at his eternal flame and they are blazing a trail with his name written all along the way. Many of these ministers are determined to pass on the mantle they received from Bishop Saunders to the new generation of apostolics. Therefore, this organization continues to serve through churches and ministers throughout the United States, Canada, Jamaica, other Caribbean Islands and Africa.
A GREAT MAN OF GOD
Bishop Saunders, Sr., along with his wife Elect Lady Alberta Brockington Saunders demonstrated their mutual respect for the institution of marriage. Their marriage, of 61 years, is a model and an inspiration to may married people. Additional, over the years, they have counseled many couples and conducted marriage seminars.
Bishop Saunders was a community oriented pastor. To the Baltimore Community, this man was a spiritual giant who maintained the highest level of moral and spiritual integrity. He was a genuine friend who pastored beyond the man made barriers of organized religion. He was a lover of all people; the good and the bad. He mastered loving the sinner while hating and preaching against sin. To the body of Christ, he was an Apostolic Father, one of God’s five star generals who rose through the ranks of God’s earthly church, with valor and courage, always remaining faithful to his religious persuasion, Pentecostalism. His wisdom, insight and spiritual exploits earned him the respect of ministerial colleagues, and parishioners, in the United States and other parts of the world.
Bishop Saunders was of quiet disposition with a tremendous sense of humor, but he was also fearless at reprimanding anyone, if the situation warranted it. Reprimand was done in such a way that left people feeling good about themselves, even laughing with joy. It took deeper thinking to understand his reprimand, which was unmistakably there, but couched in the most sophisticated and fun loving style.
THE COMMUNITY’S PASTOR
Bishop Saunders’ influence was beyond the ecclesiastical realm. He was a community activist whose activism was not boisterous or flashy but quiet and penetrating. His working relationship with the mayor of Baltimore City William Donald Schaffer was a bridge to help ease the urban plight of the poor, and ostracized and the downtrodden. When the mayor became the governor of Maryland, Bishop Saunders’ influence in the Baltimore community was enhanced. He served a 12 year term as a commissioner of the Baltimore City School system. He was the senior citizens’ advocate who served on the Maryland State Commission on Aging and retirement Education. He set up satellite ministries on the campuses of many of the colleges and universities in the Baltimore Washington area. With his ministry widespread in the community, Bishop Saunders had the vision of drawing college students – some of the hardest to convert – into Pentecost with a brand of Pentecostalism that was not just pedestrian but scholarly. Bishop Saunders believed in ministering to everyone on his or her level; he also believed in ministering to the whole man, mind, body and spirit.
His influence was not only felt in his immediate community but was interspersed into many countries. In Jamaica, W.I. he started the Voice of Holiness Broadcast that penetrated into every fiber of religious life on the island. People from all ecclesiastical ideologies tuned into RJR – Radio Jamaica and Radiffusion – on Sunday nights at 11:00 p.m. to listen to this educated Pentecostal preacher from Baltimore. This broadcast is still affecting the lives of people today. The Voice of Holiness helped to boost Pentecost from a marginalized denomination of dubious origin to some, into the mainstream of Christian life and thought on the island. Today Pentecost in Jamaica is a respected part of the island’s Christian life with a transforming power that reached into the upper echelons of political and social strata.
Finally, we are extremely proud to call him our Father, our Pastor, our Confidant and our Mentor. We shall endeavor to carry the baton he has passed on to us and hand it off to the next generation.
Contributors to this article:
Bishop Charles C. Mullings
Pastor – First United COJC (Apostolic)
Miami, FL
Elder Lois McMillan
Professor – Morgan State University Baltimore, MD
Cradled in the Methodist Church was one destined to become a true Prince of Pentecost. He left his Methodist Church, his family, abrogated his college education, left the place of his birth, Florence, South Carolina, and moved to Baltimore, Maryland. The untimely death of his brother was an extremely heavy burden upon young Monroe, which precipitated the opportunity to father his brother’s children. Everyone in his environment noted his fascination, the seriousness with which Monroe took his surrogate role in raising his niece and three nephews. His taking up residence into his sister-in-laws house underscored his commitment to the task of raising those children.
While residing with his sister-in-law, he visited her church and saw and felt something that was totally absent from his Methodist Church experience. He thirsted for the manifestation of what he saw; the church he visited was literally on fire for God. Soon after his visit, he received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. Young Monroe immersed himself in all aspects of church life and activities. The intensity with which he pursued his tasks and the anointing of the Holy Ghost upon his life soon caught the attention of his Pastor. The pastor of the Church of God in Christ #6, Elder Randolph A. Carr, became his mentor as he recognized the deep spirituality of this young man and his creative genius. Pastor Carr provided him with diversified opportunities for church service and leadership. With his dedication, coupled with the training he received in his Methodist background, young Monroe edited and published the church’s first newspaper. He directed the church’s sanctuary choir; he organized street services; he visited sick members; he held prayer meetings; he taught Sunday School; he directed church dramas; and he taught Bible class. Additionally, he was an anointed preacher of the word.
All of young Monroe’s activities showed his readiness for ministry. The people to whom he ministered recognized the call of God upon his life and fortunately his pastor saw, without a shadow of a doubt, the manifestation of the Holy Ghost in him. Bishop R.A. Carr ordained him as a church elder.
Monroe R. Saunders was drafted into the United States Army to serve in World War II. His army experience became a catalyst for his expanded vision of the body of Christ; he experienced a spiritual renewal and deeper understanding of the omnipotence and omniscience of an Almighty God. As an Army Chaplain stationed in Texas, he worshipped in different settings, made many friends, and ministered to large groups of men in the army. The saints in Baltimore undergirded him with prayer, wrote letters of encouragement, and eagerly awaited his return.
Monroe received an honorable discharge from the United States Army. A range of possibilities and options were available to him, but he chose to return to Baltimore. His niece and nephews were now a young lady and young men, but they still relied upon his guidance and fatherly advice.
Young Monroe, now a mature man of 28 years, desired a wife and family. He sought God for a wife and God showed him the lovely Alberta Brockington. He followed the custom of his day, conferred with his pastor and shared the secret of his heart with the hope of getting his advice and approval. He then sought the approval of her father. When God, the pastor, and her father approved, Monroe told Alberta about his spark of love. Although she was 17, she accepted his proposal, and a short and blissful courtship ensued. On July 31, 1947, Monroe and Alberta were joined in holy matrimony. This marriage, which was made in heaven, produced 6 children.
THE SCHOLAR
Monroe’s desire to complete the college education he had begun at Virginia State College was still unfulfilled. He did not wish to offend his pastor or others who thought he had enough education, so he discretely enrolled at Howard University, Washington, D.C., as a part-time sociology major. Four years later, he earned his BA degree in Sociology from Howard University, Magna Cum Laude.
Considered by many as a man ahead of his time, he was always on the cutting edge of what many religious traditionalists would deem impossible dreams and accomplishments for Pentecostal Christians. In the late 50’s and early 60’s, Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. returned to his Alma Mater, Howard University to earn a theology degree. During his matriculation in the School of Divinity, he maintained his high academic and scholarly standards. This Pentecostal minister who had dared to formally advance his education impressed many of his faculty, including Dean Samuel Gandy and Dr. Leon Wright. He successfully completed his course of study and earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree.
Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. determined that it was time for him to earn his Doctor of Ministry degree from the Howard University School of Divinity.
In 1979, the educator Monroe R. Saunders founded The Monroe R. Saunders Center for Creative Learning, a primary grade school, which is still in operation.
People throughout the United States, Canada, The United Kingdom, Africa and the isles of the Caribbean respected Bishop Saunders as a scholar, a student of the word, a prolific writer, an intellectual, and an outstanding preacher. He was a man whose intellectual acumen was in submission to the Holy Spirit. This submission produced some of the most anointed, dynamic and inspiring messages known to Pentecost. This was truly a man of spiritual and intellectual excellence.
A PRINCE IN GOD’S CHURCH
In 1948, The Church of God in Christ #6 was re-named Rehoboth Church of God in Christ, Apostolic; it was located from the two hundred block of Mount Street to the corner of Fulton and Riggs Avenues. During this period the pastor said that God had called him to stretch out and had revealed to him baptism in the name of Jesus. The church grew by leaps and bounds. With the new revelation, the congregation received re-baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. The pastor, the late Bishop R. A. Carr expanded the local assembly concept into an International Church Organization. Baptism in the name of Jesus and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost
distinguished this new organization.
Elder Saunders was extraordinarily effective in dealing with hard core cases of resistance to the gospel. Most famous and dreaded were his altar calls. When he fastened his eyes upon the sinner and pointed his finger, declaring "come out of that corner, you cannot
hide," few souls remained in their seats.
The Annual Holy Convocation of Rehoboth Churches Apostolic was a high holy event. Church prelates, parishioners, and friends made Rehoboth Church, relocated to 700 Poplar Grove Street their holy ground for seven days. The time of this grand celebration was 50 days after the biblical event of Pentecost. In 1957, the hallmark of the Holy convocation, was the ordination of Elder Monroe Saunders, Sr. Elder Sydney A. Dunn, Elder John S. Watson to the office of Bishop. This ordination service was the most anointed, spiritually charged, emotionally moving service that many delegates had ever witnessed. That Friday night the atmosphere filled with excitement and joyful praise as Bishop Carr summoned Elder Saunders, Elder Dunn and Elder Watson to the altar to be consecrated as Bishops. The congregation wept with tears of joy during the ordination ceremony. The three young elders approached the altar slowly; simultaneously they fell prostrate on the floor before God and before the presiding prelate Bishop R. A. Carr. The three young men arose after the consecration with the official title Bishop Monroe Saunders, Sr., Bishop Sydney A. Dunn and Bishop John S. Watson. The brethren received them with thunderous applause, hallelujahs and praises to God.
Bishop Saunders, Sr. and his spiritual father reached a heart rending decision and parted ways on 1965. The separation was painful, and the healing process was long. They loved each other dearly, but because of God's sovereignty and mercy, both men survived the separation and moved forward in The Lord. First United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) was incorporated in November 1965 in Washington, D.C. At that time Bishop Saunders was pastor of the Rehoboth Church, Washington D.C. at what was formerly a Greek Orthodox building at the corner of 8th and L streets. The current Washington Convention Center now occupies the holy spot that holy spot of ground where the church was located. There, at 8th and L the ministry of Bishop Saunders saw the magnetic pull of young college students from Howard University, and other institutions of higher learning. Also, Bishop Saunders was involved with a neighborhood project of revitalization with Rev. Louis Sullivan. The saints from Baltimore journeyed with Bishop Saunders on w weekly basis to 8th and L for should stirring worship services.
In November, 1965, Bishop Saunders, and a small body of praying believers who had been journeying to Washington, D.C. for services, gave their time and finances to purchase the classic stone church building at 3400 Copley Road in Baltimore, Maryland. It became the new home of First United COJC Apostolic, but more importantly, it was a haven for Pentecost. The atmosphere was electrified by the manifestation of Holy Ghost ministry gifts that many saints had not seen in operation. Multitudes visited First United Church to witness this 1965 “Azusa Street . Similar to the Azusa Street Revival in the early part of the twentieth century, there were spectators and doubters; however, many of the casual observers themselves, received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and became faithful members of this “Acts 2:38” church.
Bishop Saunders became an archetype of “a new” Pentecostal ministerial persona. The symbolic relationship between the powers of the Holy Ghost, Bishop Saunders Pentecostal experience, his higher education, produced some of the most powerful spiritual explosion in services he conducted. Bishop Saunders chose to love rather than to condemn, resulting in many souls coming to Christ.
One of the crowning features of Bishop Saunders’ ministry at Copley Road was the monthly “Deeper Life Retreat”. On the third Saturday of each month, the faithful would gather to be taught some of the most profound spiritual truths by Bishop Saunders.
People left some of those sessions changed forever. Even today one gets goose bumps, and unusual sweating when he or she recalls the experiences of those days. Reports indicated that, that during those sessions, more than one individual had “out of body experience” into an ethereal realm where only the spirit of transformed man or woman and the spirit of God can exist.
Bishop Monroe Randolph Saunders, Sr., had the undergirding of a group of praying members known as the Prayer Tower. These intercessors kept the church and the pastor lifted up before the throne of God in daily prayer. Bishop “Monroe” seemed to have been getting younger. With renewed energy, his work load also increased. He seemed ready for new challenges, for new territories to conquer for the Kingdom of God.
By the summer of 1966, ministers and their church congregations from around the United States, England, and the Caribbean entreated Bishop Saunders to expand his vision into an international church organization. Many pastors and preachers wanted to model their church’s ministry in the mold of First United Church. Others wanted to affiliate with a Pentecostal ministry that was consistent in word and deed. This led Bishop Saunders, Sr. to establish the United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) He served as the first Presiding Bishop of the new organization.
The church at Copley Road had outgrown its physical plant and a move became urgent. A prime acreage of land was on the real estate market in West Baltimore, for which First United won the contract. In the late 70’s the church on Copley Road moved to 5150 Baltimore National Pike, its current location.
In July, 2004, the United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) the organization founded by Bishop Monroe Saunders, Sr., recognizing his enormous contribution to the Pentecostal Movement and his continued work in ministry, consecrated him to Chief Apostle in perpetuity. His influence on Pentecost is etched in the ministries of hundreds of ministers worldwide. They have lit their torches at his eternal flame and they are blazing a trail with his name written all along the way. Many of these ministers are determined to pass on the mantle they received from Bishop Saunders to the new generation of apostolics. Therefore, this organization continues to serve through churches and ministers throughout the United States, Canada, Jamaica, other Caribbean Islands and Africa.
A GREAT MAN OF GOD
Bishop Saunders, Sr., along with his wife Elect Lady Alberta Brockington Saunders demonstrated their mutual respect for the institution of marriage. Their marriage, of 61 years, is a model and an inspiration to may married people. Additional, over the years, they have counseled many couples and conducted marriage seminars.
Bishop Saunders was a community oriented pastor. To the Baltimore Community, this man was a spiritual giant who maintained the highest level of moral and spiritual integrity. He was a genuine friend who pastored beyond the man made barriers of organized religion. He was a lover of all people; the good and the bad. He mastered loving the sinner while hating and preaching against sin. To the body of Christ, he was an Apostolic Father, one of God’s five star generals who rose through the ranks of God’s earthly church, with valor and courage, always remaining faithful to his religious persuasion, Pentecostalism. His wisdom, insight and spiritual exploits earned him the respect of ministerial colleagues, and parishioners, in the United States and other parts of the world.
Bishop Saunders was of quiet disposition with a tremendous sense of humor, but he was also fearless at reprimanding anyone, if the situation warranted it. Reprimand was done in such a way that left people feeling good about themselves, even laughing with joy. It took deeper thinking to understand his reprimand, which was unmistakably there, but couched in the most sophisticated and fun loving style.
THE COMMUNITY’S PASTOR
Bishop Saunders’ influence was beyond the ecclesiastical realm. He was a community activist whose activism was not boisterous or flashy but quiet and penetrating. His working relationship with the mayor of Baltimore City William Donald Schaffer was a bridge to help ease the urban plight of the poor, and ostracized and the downtrodden. When the mayor became the governor of Maryland, Bishop Saunders’ influence in the Baltimore community was enhanced. He served a 12 year term as a commissioner of the Baltimore City School system. He was the senior citizens’ advocate who served on the Maryland State Commission on Aging and retirement Education. He set up satellite ministries on the campuses of many of the colleges and universities in the Baltimore Washington area. With his ministry widespread in the community, Bishop Saunders had the vision of drawing college students – some of the hardest to convert – into Pentecost with a brand of Pentecostalism that was not just pedestrian but scholarly. Bishop Saunders believed in ministering to everyone on his or her level; he also believed in ministering to the whole man, mind, body and spirit.
His influence was not only felt in his immediate community but was interspersed into many countries. In Jamaica, W.I. he started the Voice of Holiness Broadcast that penetrated into every fiber of religious life on the island. People from all ecclesiastical ideologies tuned into RJR – Radio Jamaica and Radiffusion – on Sunday nights at 11:00 p.m. to listen to this educated Pentecostal preacher from Baltimore. This broadcast is still affecting the lives of people today. The Voice of Holiness helped to boost Pentecost from a marginalized denomination of dubious origin to some, into the mainstream of Christian life and thought on the island. Today Pentecost in Jamaica is a respected part of the island’s Christian life with a transforming power that reached into the upper echelons of political and social strata.
Finally, we are extremely proud to call him our Father, our Pastor, our Confidant and our Mentor. We shall endeavor to carry the baton he has passed on to us and hand it off to the next generation.
Contributors to this article:
Bishop Charles C. Mullings
Pastor – First United COJC (Apostolic)
Miami, FL
Elder Lois McMillan
Professor – Morgan State University Baltimore, MD