Emanuel Baptist Church
100 E. Church Street
Orange, Virginia 22960

Rev. John L. Saunders Jr. was born in Keyser, West VA to John L. Saunders Sr. and Wyndola Smith Saunders. Raised in Piedmont West VA, he is the oldest of eight children. Following graduation from high school, he attended Potomac State College prior to entering the U.S. Navy in 1968. In 1981, he was commissioned as a Naval Officer and retired from the Navy in 1999 after completing 31 years of service. He then went on to complete his undergraduate degree at Southern Illinois University, earned his Master of Art degree in public administration from Troy State University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA.

He answered the call to the preaching ministry at Shiloh (New Site) Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, VA, serving as Associate Minister under the Pastorate of Dr. Theodore Cunningham until his retirement in 2002. Following Dr. Cunninham's retirement, he served as Associate Minister under the Pastorate of Rev. Anthony M. Parrish, Sr. From 2003-2011, he served as Director of the Men's Ministry of Shiloah (New Site). Rev. Saunders answered the call to Pastor in 2011.

Married to his wife of 52 years, the former Sylvia Redman of Petersburg, West Virginia, they have been blessed with two children, Tiffene and John III, seven grandchildren, and a great grandchild. Rev. Saunders is currently employed by the Commonwealth of VA where he serves as Director of the VA Governor's Highway Safety Office.

His ministry focus is to be obedient to Jesus' command in the Great Commission. Matthew 28:19 NIV "Therefore make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.."