Biography
Early Life
Cheryl Sanders went to Third Street Church of God in Washington, D.C. as a child. Four generations of her family went to that church. She grew up learning about Christian faith and service. That church was her spiritual home. She became the Pastor of Third Street Church of God in 1997. She married her husband, Dr. Alan Carswell. They raised two children, Allison and Garrett. Her children now help with the church’s ministries. Their work at Third Street continues her family’s commitment to faith and service.
Academic and Ministerial Formation
Sanders earned her bachelor’s degree in math from Swarthmore College. She felt a strong call to ministry while there. Sanders led the campus gospel choir. She joined Bible studies led by other students. She was a DJ on the WSRN Gospel Show.
She got her Master of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees at Harvard Divinity School. She was a teaching assistant while studying and worked as an interim pastor before she graduated. Sanders began teaching full-time at Howard University School of Divinity. She started teaching before finishing her doctorate. Her dissertation looked at the spiritual lives of enslaved African Americans. She received honorary doctorates from Asbury College in 2002 and Anderson University in 2007.
Educator and Ethical Voice
Sanders has worked as Professor of Christian Ethics at Howard University since 1984. She also teaches Pastoral Ethics and African American Spirituality. Sanders researches and writes about African American Religious Studies, Bioethics, Womanist Studies, and Pastoral Leadership. Her important work looks at the relationship between Christian ethics and womanism. She believes that womanism is a flawed foundation for religious and ethical research. Sanders continues to shape religious education nationwide.
She served as President of the American Theological Society. She is often a visiting professor at several schools. She is an exchange professor at Wesley and Lutheran seminaries.
Called to Lead in Ministry
The pastor at Third Street Church of God took a medical leave in 1997. Sanders was asked to preach during his absence. The pastor suddenly passed away. She stepped in to guide the grieving congregation. Her faithful leadership led to her becoming the church’s first female Senior Pastor. She and her family have led the church for over two decades.
Sanders has preached across the country and the world for more than 30 years. In 2005, The African American Pulpit recognized her as an elder. They featured her sermons in their series “Those Preaching Women.”
Witness in the Public Square
Sanders is a respected voice on ethics and justice. She has appeared on C-SPAN, PBS, and at many conferences. She was on Swarthmore’s panel on “Religion in America’s Story of Racial Justice.” She spoke about religion and activism. She is also a guest editor for Leadership, a magazine for pastors. Sanders’ life shows how faith, learning, and service can transform lives. Through her teaching, preaching, and witness, she continues to inspire others. She calls people to live with purpose, compassion, and justice.
