About Us
Our History
TRANSFORMATION CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
Transformation Church, like most Pentecostal and Apostolic bodies, traces its history to the great revival that began in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, 33 AD. The twentieth century beginnings can be traced to the revival in Los Angeles, California, at 312 Azusa Street led by W.J. Seymour in 1906. From this now famous place, revival spread rapidly throughout the United States and the world. This revival was instrumental in the life of our founder, Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr.
In 1934, a movement known as Rehoboth Church of God in Christ began in Baltimore, Maryland, from which came the Church of God in Christ Jesus (Apostolic) in 1947. Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. was member of the Board of Bishops from 1947 to 1965. In 1965 Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. founded The United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) located in Baltimore, Maryland. From 1965 to 2004 under the leadership of Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr., the organization had grown to include churches across the United States, Canada, England, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands of the West Indies, and Liberia, West Africa. From its headquarters in the United States the Board of Bishops, through the Presiding Bishop, directs the organization. In July, 2004 Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. was elevated to the office of apostle. Dr. Monroe Saunders, Jr. was installed as the presiding bishop of the organization.
The First United Church of Jesus Christ, Apostolic began on Sunday, November 7, 1965, with a small body of believers who gave their time and finances and purchased the church at the corner of Copley Road and Liberty Heights Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland. As the faith of Bishop Saunders, Sr. and the membership increased, it became necessary to look for a larger location. Twenty-two acres of rolling green lawns in west Baltimore became available and Bishop Saunders, Sr. felt this prime acreage offered an excellent opportunity for future programs and expansion. The property was purchased and the membership continued to expand. The new property included a school building and a separate facility that had been used as a gymnasium. The gymnasium was renovated and became the new worship site for the First United Church, seating over 1,000. In 2003, under the direction of Bishop Saunders, Jr., the church name was officially changed to Transformation Church of Jesus Christ.
This was necessary to alleviate confusion with other churches in the Baltimore area with similar names. Additionally, the new name embodies the Mission and Vision that God has given Bishop Saunders Jr.
In just two years after moving to the new property, The Monroe Saunders School…”Center For Creative Learning” opened its doors as one of the first majority African American accredited private schools in the state of Maryland. Which served as a model that many others have followed. Continuing with his vision and a heart for the community, Bishop Saunders Sr. saw fit to build Abundant Life Towers II a senior citizen housing development.
This was the second building constructed by the First United Church and subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Our leadership team recognizes the authority of God, and realizes that we are shepherds who serve under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We desire to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ.
Our Leadership
Pastor 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:
· 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
· 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
· Executive Board member of the Joint College of African American Pentecostal Bishops
· Executive Board Member American Heart Association
· Executive Director of the Center for Creative Learning, an institution-providing academic excellence for children, grades pre-K through 5th grade
Bishop Saunders is the author of three books, 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 and A Journey to Transformation, Seeing the World Through a Different Lens. His recent publication released in June 2019 is Unbearable Truth Spirituality and Ministry in the 21st Century. 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. 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.
First Lady Winsome Saunders
Lady Winsome Saunders is the only daughter of three children born to the late Bishop Cecil and Mother Phyliss Ricketts of Ontario, Canada. She is married to Bishop Monroe Saunders, Jr., D.Min. Senior Pastor of the Transformation Church of Jesus Christ and Presiding Prelate of the United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) and is the mother of twin sons and grandmother of seven.
Lady Winsome was educated in the Toronto public school system and at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore, Maryland. As a registered Radiographer, holding certificates as a High Blood Pressure Measurement Specialist with the American Heart Association and the Urban Cardiology Research Center, she worked in the medical field for over 12 years at various facilities including the University of Maryland Hospital and the Prince Georges County Hospital. In addition to her studies, Lady Winsome also completed piano and music theory at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada.
Lady Winsome has served and continues to serve in various capacities, assisting her husband and senior pastor at the Transformation Church. She is the Pastoral Administrative Assistant to Bishop Saunders, Jr., D.Min. and she oversees a staff of ministry leaders who facilitate the work of ministry within the Transformation Church. Additionally, she served for 4 years as the President of the Women of Royalty (the National Women’s Department of the United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) and now serves as its advisor. She has served for six years as the Transformation Church Woman’s Department president, and four years as president of the Ministers, Deacons and Officers Wives Auxiliary.
Lady Winsome Saunders is a licensed minister in the United Church of Jesus Christ. She is a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and servant of the Lord. She is gracious and kind to all. The Transformation Church is blessed to have as its leading lady, First Lady, Minister Winsome Saunders, a woman of God chosen for the kingdom for such a time as this.
Mission Statement
To conform lives to the image of Jesus Christ through transformation of mind and spirit.
Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:12
Our Church Vision
Growth of the Body
Growth within the Body
Unity of the Body
Transformation Definition of Ministry
"Ministry is a service to humanity that reveals the intricate pieces of who we are and why we are. Ministry enables us to discover the person that we were placed in this world to be and to expose us to the greater person whose image flows from God the creator."