Pastor Anthony R. Sanders

Pastor Anthony R. Sanders hails from the emerald city of

Greenwood SC born on April 19, 1972 to David Sanders and Bobbie

Jean Donald. He graduated from Greenwood High School on June 1,

1990. After high school, Pastor Sanders enlisted in the United

States Navy and reported to boot camp in Orland Florida on

October 4, 1990. Upon completion of boot camp and

apprenticeship, training Pastor Sanders was ordered to report to

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Cuba as his first tour of duty. It

was there that Rev. Sanders, gave his life over to the Lord Jesus

Christ. When Rev. Sanders returned stateside for his next tour

of duty in Charleston, SC in August of 1993, he got engaged to

his longtime girlfriend Jennifer Bishop. They eventually got

married on March 20, 1994 and later relocated by accepting

permanent change of station orders to Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Pastor Sanders currently holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in

Religious Studies from Saint Leo University and a Masters in

Urban Education and Community Counseling from Norfolk State

University. He currently pursuing his doctorate in Community

counseling with emphasis in Pastoral care and counseling from

Liberty University. Pastor Sanders recently retired with over 32

years of active duty as a Navy Command Master Chief Petty

Officer. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

Incorporated. He is Currently serving as Pastor of Greater

Bethel AMEC in Chesapeake VA. He has served as Pastor of

Ebenezer Capeville AME Church, in Cape Charles, VA. He has served

as Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Rocky Mount VA and served as

the Pastor of Saint James AME Church in Prospect VA this was his

first charged as pastor and prior to this appointment he served

faithfully at Mount Zion AME Church in Virginia Beach in multiple

capacities for many years. Pastor Sanders received the call to

preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the fall of 1998 and

preached his initial sermon “Giving your all to Jesus” on January

17, 1999, and he was ordained an Itinerate Elder in May of 2005.

He is also the Author of a newly released devotional "Let's Do it

again, God." Also a journal titled “90 Days A Journal Between you

and God additionally, his first publication is a daily devotional

titled “Start Your Day with God, daily meditation for your

spiritual growth.” You can get information on these books on

amazon.com. Pastor Sanders was the 2018 Commencement Speaker for South University and received the Presidential award of

Excellence.

Pastor Sanders and his wife Jennifer are still in love and they

have three anointed adult children Qiana, Zemariah and Caleb.

Pastor Sanders shares a passion and love to preach the gospel of

Jesus Christ in season and out of season. He does not mind

sharing the wisdom and word of God with love and compassion. The

top three most important personal matters in his life are his

relationship with God, his love and relationship for and with his

wife and children and finally the love of preaching and serving

the people of God. Pastor Sanders has received many accolades

throughout his life, however he understands, this one thing, that

which is done for Christ will last.

“So as a challenge for us all is, let us walk constantly in the presence of God to know all the more who we shall become in Him!”

Meet 1st Lady Jennifer Sanders

A native of Greenwood SC, born to do amazing things, raised to fear God and trust Him no matter what things may appear to be now by her parents Albert and Ester Bishop. A lifetime commitment to family from the beginning of her life, and every Sunday she and her family would journey to Bradley, SC to spend the afternoon and most of the evening at Grandma Mattie Wright’s House, who was a true matriarch. First Lady Jennifer B. Sanders graduated from Greenwood High School with honors, June 1991, and went on to start her education in nursing at Lander University.

After,  meeting her High School sweetheart Anthony R. Sanders, who she witnessed being shipped off into the United States Navy in October of 1990, their journey of growing together and creating a lifetime of memories began. They got engaged in December 1993, married on March 20, 1994, had their first daughter Qiana in 1994, and relocated to Virginia Beach in November 1994. In 1996, Jennifer continued her educational goals of becoming a Registered Nurse through attending Tidewater Community College, in her quest, she graduated in 1999 and received accolades for her tenacious determination, leadership ability and courage by receiving the Florence Nightingale Leadership award.

While pursuing her education she worked a few jobs, from a cashier at Food Lion, day care provider, a sales representative at Upton's department store and as a nurse’s assistant with Sentara Bayside Hospital. In August of 1999 her dream became a reality as she received her license as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 1999, she gave birth to their second daughter Zemariah. In which she was on bed rest from August until the birth of the child.

Her career began to take off and she balanced well motherhood and her career. Taking time off to go on field trips and volunteer at the schools. Placing the children in after school activities such as dancing and sports. Also being a supportive spouse for her husband’s demanding career in the military and ministry.

In 2003, she gave birth to their only son Caleb, and she worked the entire pregnancy up to the day of delivery. Jennifer continues to pursue her education and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with her Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing and in 2015 she completed her master’s in business administration in Health Care Management from South University. Jennifer worked nearly 15 years in the Emergency Room gaining tremendous experience as a Registered Nurse. She is currently a Patient Care Supervisor at Sentara Virginia Beach Hospital in which she has been with this company for over 27 years.

Over the years, First Lady Jennifer B. Sanders has never waived in her faith and always provided help where needed, from home to ministry as well as being a military spouse and in between. A woman who carries the love of Jesus, who has compassion, great strength, courage and kindness. Her and her husband of 30 years and their three children, remains faithful to God, loving and serving His people.