Rev. Dr. Jasper A. Saunders, Sr., a current resident of Suffolk, Virginia, and a 1961 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education with an emphasis in Electricity from Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia. In addition, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Theology from the O. M. Kelly Religious Training Institute, Brooklyn, New York; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Theology from the Mid-Hudson Bible Institute, Poughkeepsie, New York; and Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Theology from the Spirit of Truth Institute, Richmond, Virginia. 

Dr. Saunders, who is saved, sanctified and filled with the precious Holy Ghost, was appointed and served faithfully as a deacon at Beth-el Church of God in Christ, Poughkeepsie, New York until his call to the Gospel Ministry. He was ordained as an Elder in 1987 by the late Bishop F. D. Washington, Bishop of the Eastern Jurisdiction Church Of God in Christ for the State of New York. Presently he is an ordained Elder of the United Churches of God Fellowship, Inc.; a member and Administrative Assistant at New Mount Joy Food for Living Ministries, Suffolk, Virginia; President of the Men of Distinction Ministry; and member of the Male Chorus. He was the Administrator and Coordinator of the Gospel Musical Team Nursing Home Ministry which provided weekly services to three local nursing homes. 

Dr. Saunders was the President and First Year Instructor at the Mid-Hudson Bible Institute, Poughkeepsie, N.ew York for more than twenty-five years. He has also served as the President of the W. P. Wiggins Bible College in Suffolk for 23 years.  He also serves as the Lead Instructor for General Bible I in the Undergraduate Program and the Doctoral Program courses. He further serves as an Assistant Instructor for the Master’s Program Year courses. The W. P. Wiggins Bible College, founded in 2003 by Bishop William P. Wiggins, Sr., is affiliated with the Mid-Hudson Bible Institute and the Spirit of Truth Institute. In August 2023, Dr. Saunders was named President Emeritus of WPWBC.

Dr. Saunders retired from International Business Machines (IBM) Poughkeepsie, New York as a Second Level Computer Programming Manager. He holds membership in the National Society of Pershing Rifles, a military fraternal organization and therefore serves as a mentor for the Virginia National Guard's Commonwealth ChalleNGe Program which works with 16-18 year old “at-risk” youth to develop values, skills, education and self-discipline in their lives. In addition, he has volunteered his service as an electrician with Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads.

Dr. Saunders, happily married to Evangelist Dr. Janice Brickhouse Saunders for more 55 years, is the proud father of three (3); grandfather of seven (7); great-grandfather of two (2); and a number of spiritual sons, daughters and grandchildren in the ministry. Believing that you should do what your hands find to do, he is often found working behind the scenes ensuring that the work of the ministry goes on. His motto is: 

 

“If your sermon doesn’t include Jesus Christ and Him being crucified, you have no sermon at all. For if we leave Christ out, we leave out the very soul of the gospel!”