Pastor James Paul Sanders

SANDERS, Pastor James Paul - Age 85, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at his residence. Pastor Sanders will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed Friday, December 18, 2020 from 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Pastor James Paul Sanders Sr. was born May 11, 1935 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Willie Mae and Fred Sanders Sr. James had 2 brothers, Fred Sanders and Joe Rutherford. At birth, Pastor Sanders was named J.P. after the millionaire, JP Morgan. After becoming an adult, Pastor Sanders changed his name to James Paul. He began playing the piano by ear at the age of 3 years old, and the guitar at the age of 6 years old. He married Carolyn Robinson on June 22, 1958 and they were blessed with 8 children. the family moved to Flint, Michigan in 1961. He began to pastor, Pentecostal Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ at 401 Carton St. in 1965. He founded Pentecostal Temple Church Of God In Christ at 1149 Rex Avenue in 1970. Pastor Sander’s father left the home when he was about 3 years old. He often spoke of never knowing how it felt to call anyone “Father”, which had a deep impact on his life. Pastor Sanders began working at the age of 9 years old, delivering fire wood to neighbors to help his mother who had to care for him, and his brother, Fred. Later, Pastor Sanders worked shining shoes for military men and as a grocery delivery driver. Pastor Sanders mother kept him in church, he professed hope in Christ and was baptized, at the age of 12 years old. As a child, he played for his church in Memphis, TN traveling to Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and various cities in Tennessee. When playing in crowded tent services, he had to stand on a chair for the crowd to see him play. He played the trumpet in his high school band. Pastor Sanders was gifted with a unique singing ability., After high school, Pastor Sanders moved to Michigan, where he began to drive for a wealthy businessman and traveled throughout the United State. During this time, Pastor Sanders had many material things, such as, tailor made clothes, expensive cars, lived in the best hotels and dined at the finest restaurants. After 3 years of having all of the things that many people craved to have, Pastor Sanders realized those things did not make him happy. While staying at a hotel in New York, the Lord spoke to him to leave the city, the job, and move back to Michigan, and come back to the Lord. His aunt, the late Mother Maudine Johnson was attending the late Superintendent Lewis Tolbert’s church where he began to attend and rededicated his life to the Lord. Shortly after moving back to Flint, Pastor Sanders was drafted in the Army and had to go back to Memphis and did his basic training at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. The fort was closing and he was given the choice of staying in the military and going to Japan or getting out of the Army with an Honorable Discharge. Members at his church in Memphis had prophesied that the Lord was going to make a way for him to get out of the military service to serve in the service of the Lord and he did. Pastor Sanders mother want him to stay in Memphis. He was about to return to Flint, Michigan when his mother suggested that he mee the Robinson’s daughter. He found his step-father’s binoculars and had his brother, Joe to point out Carolyn as she exited the school bus. He continued to look at her everyday as she got off the school bus, then he decided to send Carolyn a note to school. After finally meeting Carolyn, Pastor Sanders proposed to her 2 weeks later. They were married 2 months later on June 22, 1958. This year, they were married for 62 years. Pastor Sanders was called to the ministry in August of 1958 and has been a faithful servant of the Lord, serving the church and his community. He is an outstanding father and an exemplary husband. He and Mother Sanders, and their oldest 2 children moved to Flint in 1961. He began to Pastor, Pentecostal Tabernacle COGIC at 401 Carton St. in 1966. Pastor Sanders founded Pentecostal Temple COGIC at 1149 Rex Avenue, in 1970. Pastor Sanders lived in Flint for 59 years. He was employed by institutions and businesses such as Flint Medical and Surgical Supply Company, where he sold medical supplies to many local doctor and hospitals, Hurley School of Nursing, The Flint Board of Education including, Dewey School, Durant-Terri Mott School and Dort Elementary School. Pastor Sanders worked preparing the Genesee Valley JC Penny Store for it’s opening in 1979. He worked River Bend and Chateau Garden Nursing homes. He was an entrepreneur, owning his own business, “Sanders and Sons Cleaning Service” and employed many people over the years. He hire many African American workers (many were from local churches), to prepare for the opening of the former Hyatt Regency Hotel in Flint, which became the Character INN. After his youngest son was born, Pastor Sanders business was renamed, “James & Dave Cleaning Service.” His clientele included, Bishop Airport, Michigan National Bank branches, Beech Hill Center, and IBM. Pastor Sanders worked at the University of Michigan for sixteen years before retiring in 1999. He was the first African American to work in the Facilities Department. He was Facility’s Manager, and Student Work Program Manager, where he employed over a hundred students of all races each semester, helping many students with funding to help them remain in school. When students needed additional funding for school, Pastor Sanders had authority to advocate for them at U of M’s Financial Aid, most of the time receiving the needed money. Today, many of these students are professionals in many fields. At the University of Michigan, Pastor was president of the Commission for Minorities Concerns. He was a member of the Search Committee for new staff at U of M-Flint. He received a recommendation from the Concerned Pastors for his work in the community, and the Hellenic award for religious service in the community. The prestigious, University of Michigan Chancellor’s Award was presented to him by Chancellor Charlie Nehms. He has an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Ministry and Leadership presented to him by Dr. Nathaniel Lewis from Destiny College International in Spring Hill, Florida. For many years, Pastor worked with probate court having some of the young men released in his custody for rehabilitation. He mentored the men who went onto be productive citizens. He visited prisons throughout the state, ministering the word of God. In his community work, he has intervened with drug overdose victims. Through his ministry, some were immediately delivered from drug additions permanently. He interceded and prevented suicides (rescuing one individual from jumping off the Flint River Bridge). Pastor Sanders is known as an accomplished marriage counselor, saving numerous marriages, in some cases, remarrying couples who had divorced. In his service to the sick and shut-in – he visited hospitals, and conversant homes. In his younger years, he walked miles from the southside of Flint to the northside to help care for the sick and afflicted. He cut grass for widows, gave food to the hungry, and clothes to the needy. People came to his home at all times of the day and night for a word from the Lord, deliverance, and healing. Through all his service, Pastor Sanders never had a Pastoral Day, church anniversary, or send-aways (church paid trips). His joy was seeing souls saved, and the Saints of God growing in the knowledge and life of Christ. Pastor Sanders has left a rich legacy to his family, church, and community. We shall remember to live by the words of his first and favorite sermon: Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Pastor James Paul Sanders Sr. leaves to cherish his memory: wife of 62 years, Carolyn Sanders; children, Teresa Sanders of Flint, MI, James (Adrianna) Sanders of Stafford, VA, Troy Sanders of Auburn Hills, MI, Shereatha (Evarad) Spencer of Boca Rotan, FL, Phillip (Ciarra) Sanders of Grand Blanc, MI, Marchelle (James) LeBlanc of Laurel, MD, Yvette Sanders of Las Vegas, NV and David Sanders of Virginia Beach, VA; 12 Grandchildren, Victoria A. Willis and Lakiesha Carolyn Sanders, both of Greensboro, NC, Dulce Valenzuela and Rebecca Valenzuela, Both of Stafford, VA, Phillip Sanders Jr., Briana Sanders, Jordan Sanders and Pria Sanders, all of Virginia Beach, VA, Jullian Sanders of Grand Rapids, MI, Summer Leona Sanders of Flint, MI, Joshua Sanders and Marcus Sanders, both of Laurel, MD; 10 Great Grandchildren, Micah Caleb Sanders, Malachi James-Paul Sanders, Joshua Willis and Jada Willis, all of Greensboro, NC, Keliah Sanders, Matthew Sanders, Brooklyn Sanders, Joel Sanders, Phillip Sanders III and Justice Sanders, all of Virginia Beach, VA; cousins, The Seawrights, Wilkes, Vaughn, Thomas, Johnson, Lewis, Montgomery, Williams, Luarke, Bronson, Wardo, Austin and Johnson-Lee families. Pastor Sanders was preceded in death by Fred and Willie Mae Sanders, Step-father, Joe Rutherford, Carrie Thomas, Maudine & Dale Johnson, Modena Alston, Barbara Williams, Fanny Mae Montgomery, Henry Stevenson and brothers, Fred Sanders and Joe Rutherford; a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, Deacon Arlyn Fuller, Elder Clifford Houston, min. Cousteau McGee and Mother Carolyn Wells. Pastor Sanders was preceded in death by his mother, Willie Mae Rutherford; father, Fred Sanders; stepfather, Joe Rutherford; brothers, Fred Sanders Jr. and Joe Rutherford Jr.; aunts, Carrie (Eugene) Thomas, Maudine (Robert) Johnson, Modine (Clay) Austin, Bobbie Jean, Mammie, Fannie Mae (Harold) Montgomery. The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Abdullah Raffee, staff at First Hospice Care – Dawn, Stacy and Tes. Pastor Sanders’ favorite scripture: Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Pastor James Paul Sanders

May 11, 1935 - December 16, 2020