Brief History
Faith Mission Church of God Ministries
“The Mega Worship Centre”
'We are the Church that makes the difference, for we believe that all peoples are God's children.'
In 1957, the late Bishop Austin E. Saunders, former Senior Pastor and founder of the Faith Mission Church of God Ministries received the Holy Ghost and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior of his life.
Molded in church ministry by the late Bishop William Duncombe, he became 'rooted' and 'grounded' in the faith, doctrinal commitments and teaching of the Church of God. His passion for winning souls to the Kingdom of God was the ultimate goal of his ministry - willing that none would perish, but that they would have everlasting life. This caused him to become more studious of God's Word as well as other facets of humanity. His acquired knowledge invited colleagues, clergymen and members of the civic and social arenas to acknowledge his God-given talents and attributes. His passion for God and ministry led him to contribute more significantly to the up-building of His kingdom. Being obedient to God, the late Bishop Austin Saunders, through divine inspiration heeded to God's call to pastoral ministry in July, 1981 and founded The Faith Mission Church of God Ministries. Through prayers and sincere consultation with the late Bishop William M. Johnson (National Overseer at the time), consent and blessings were given to Bishop Saunders with fullest support to the effort of the new work. The first service took place on July 16th, 1981 at the St. Mark's Friendly Society Hall, Rose Street, Fox Hill - the only available site after diligently searching throughout Claridge Road and other areas in New Providence. Seventeen (17) persons were in attendance at the first service: Pastor Austin Saunders, Mrs. Cleomi Saunders, Olga Saunders, Joan Miller, the late Bridget Saunders, Sherelle Saunders, Monique Butler, Frank Nottage, Cereel Geffrard, Pedro Morley, Celamie Dieuveille, Derek Hutchinson, Noreil Frederick, the late Rev. Ferguson, Eugene Saunders, Walter Saunders and Lester Saunders. Pastor Austin Saunders reported the story of success to Bishop William Johnson, National Overseer. On August 9, 1981, the church was set in order by the late Bishop Samuel Pinder, National Councilman with 4 Bahamians and 5 Haitians: The Charter Members are as follows: Frank Nottage, the late Pearl Denise Ferguson, Bishop Austin Saunders, Mother Cleomi Saunders, Arnold Ciceron, Adelia Ciceron, Claudette Irites, David Irites, Cereel Geffrard. The church's membership grew to 17 during the same year, maintaining an average weekly attendance of 36 strong. Between 1982 and 1983 the membership grew to 65, predominantly Haitians. The Sunday School averaged 60 persons weekly and the Family Training Hour gained an average of 45 - 50. As the church expanded and grew, Bishop Saunders, the visionary leader trusted God and began construction of the church edifice situated on Fox Hill Road and Davis Street. He sacrificed his time and life savings to build the house of the Lord and was supported by others who sowed into the vision God gave him bringing to fruition the manifestation that when God gives you a vision, He will make the provision. The relocation came to pass during the mid-1980’s and the church continued with steady growth with Bishop Saunders at the helm as he trained and developed the next generation of leaders. He was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer in June, 2004 but continued to work tirelessly as he advanced the Kingdom of God. He fought a good fight, kept the faith and finished his course on July 4, 2005 when God called him home, resting him from his labour. However, God had a ram in the thicket in the person of Rev. Sherelle L. Saunders, his biological daughter who was in ministry all of her life but was intensely mentored for one full year by Bishop Saunders up to the time of his demise having discernment of the call of God upon her life. Accordingly, like Esther, she was groomed having been called to the Kingdom for such a time as this to continue the labour of love in ministry. Pastor Sherelle received overwhelming support in a Preference Ballot for Pastor of Faith Mission Church of God Ministries and was recommended by the then Administrative Bishop (the late Bishop John N. Humes) to take up the mantle in August, 2005. Today, she vibrantly leads the membership of Faith Mission Church of God Ministries which is recognized as “The Mega Worship Centre” of the nation for our whole-hearted, high-spirited, anointed and passionate worship and service to God. Our ministry upholds biblical principles as we live and declare the Word of God with the firm hope and message of the redemption, transforming lives through Jesus Christ through our founding principles to compassionately serve the “whole man” as we serve God with the spirit of excellence. The 'vision' of the house is declared in confidence that perseverance, positioning and principles of God would give rise to the fulfillment of God's plans, purposes and promises in our lives. We are the Faith Mission Church of God, “The Mega Worship Centre of the nation”! Written by: The late Bridget Patrice Saunders, Public Relations Director
Revised in 2015 by: Rev. Saunders, Pastor
