ABOUT OUR PASTOR, THE REVEREND P. DAVID SAUNDERS, SR.

THE MAN...

The first of three children born to Phelmon D. & Effie L. Saunders, David grew to manhood in Inkster, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. David moved forward in school with little difficulty, graduating from Inkster High School in 1960. Following that he spent two years at Henry Ford Community College before entering Wayne State University in Detroit, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Mass Communications in 1967.

THE FAMILY.....

On a wintry day in February 1963, David spied a young woman studying in the library at Wayne State and boldly introduced himself while smiling in a way that would eventually melt her heart. Reticent at first, Catherine Alford yielded to his pursuit and they were wed in June 1964. Into their fourth decade together as husband and wife, they are proud of and enjoy their children (Phelmon, Jr., Karen, and Benjamin) and grandchildren (Brittany, Kayla, Bria, William, Cydney, and one who is currently anticipated). They are confident that the Lord brought them together, they know that the Lord has kept them together, and they are glad about it!

David’s parents are now octogenarians who still find delight in the Lord. He and Catherine are on the cusp of their golden years and can think of nothing better than sharing God’s love with any who would hear.

THE MEMBER...

At eighteen, David’s pastor asked if he believed there was a calling on his life. As politely as he could, David denied having any such notions. Years passed and David was pleased to have a prosperous career in business, but always found time for the Lord as Sunday School Superintendent, a choir member, and an officer at Oak Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church in Detroit. There came a time, however, in 1972, when he could no longer ignore God’s gentle urging and accepted the call to the ministry.

THE MINISTER...

After four years of denominational studies, David was ordained an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Almost immediately following his ordination, he accepted the position of Assistant Pastor at St. Stephen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Detroit, under the pastorate of the late Bishop John E. Hunter. It became clear to him that, if he was to spend his life in ministry, he needed further academic preparation; but, at that time, there were no protestant seminaries in the Detroit area.

David sought guidance from the Lord and within months, he was assigned as pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Muncie, Indiana. He and his family didn’t know much about the community, but they willingly packed up and moved away from Michigan with the faith that God was leading them. Muncie was less than 100 miles from Dayton, Ohio, where United Theological Seminary was located! He served the congregation at Bethel and attended the seminary for three of the seven years of his tenure, and earned the degree of Master of Divinity in 1984. In 1987, after an exciting and rewarding ministry in Muncie, Pastor Saunders and family were on the move again; he was assigned to pastor Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest African-American congregation in Chicago, Illinois. While there, he served the Lord with gladness, preaching, teaching, developing out-reach programs, immersing himself in community service and civic projects, and spreading God’s love as far and wide as he could.

Pastor Saunders’ personal motto, “Love Conquers All”, embodies his belief in the power of Jesus that encourages our souls to be “over comers” in a world of great challenges and to truly believe that we can, indeed, do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us! When assigned to Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Saginaw, he eagerly accepted the challenge to work diligently to uplift and encourage God’s people through sharing the joy of the Lord. He is certain that God is moving in Bethel and all of Saginaw, and is confident that the Lord has some wondrous things in store for Mid-Michigan, greater than we can think or imagine.

As we search for meaning in this new millennium, Pastor Saunders endeavors to remind everyone that praise is not an option! We must be committed to giving God the glory for the marvelous things He has done, for the things He is doing right now, and for the those things which we have not yet seen. Pastor Saunders is a living witness of God’s goodness, that’s why he’s always smiling!