About Us

Reverend Dr. Mary Yvonne Sanders

Founder & Overseer of Living Water Christian Outreach Center | Visionary of Living Water School of Ministry | Founder of Yvonne Sanders Ministries & My Promise Community Outreach

Reverend Dr. Mary Yvonne Sanders, a native of Walterboro, South Carolina, faithfully ministered the Gospel of Jesus Christ for almost 40 years. She was a loving mother and grandmother to four children and three grandchildren—most of whom serve in ministry with her, continuing the legacy she began.

Dr. Sanders founded Living Water Christian Outreach Center in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1996. The church quickly became known as “The Church with the Big Heart” because of its many outreaches to those in need. In 1998, following the Lord’s instruction, she birthed Living Water School of Ministry (LWSofM), a place where believers from all denominations and backgrounds could be trained in the Spirit of Faith she received while attending Rhema Bible Training College in Tulsa, Oklahoma, under the late Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin. Since then, the school has raised up and sent out pastors, leaders, and ministers, planting churches and ministries across the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

In 2023, she expanded her vision through Yvonne Sanders Ministries, which includes:

Women of Worship & Faith—a movement calling women out of brokenness and bondage into freedom and wholeness in Christ.

My Promise Community Outreach—a feeding and clothing ministry born from a vow she made to the Lord, now serving countless families with the compassion of Christ.

Dr. Sanders was a woman of excellence, graduating from South Carolina State University with a degree in Accounting, completing MBA coursework, and later graduating from Rhema. For her extraordinary impact, she received an Honorary Doctorate from the School of Bible Theology Seminary & University (SBTSU), presented by President Dr. Stephen T. Anderson and endorsed by Dr. Jerry Savelle.

Her service and influence were recognized with many honors, including:

The People’s Pastor Award (2001)

Key to the City of Columbia (2008)

Governor’s Proclamation of “Pastor Yvonne Sanders Day” (Dec. 20, 2008)

Multiple commendations from governors and senators of South Carolina

Her ministry was not in word only, but in power. Through her hands, the deaf heard, the crippled walked, cancers vanished, minds were restored to sanity, and families were made whole. And in her lifetime, at least six people were raised from the dead through the power of God working in her ministry. Above all, her greatest joy was seeing thousands make radical decisions to follow Jesus.

At the heart of everything was her prayer and divine assignment: to present one million souls to Christ. Every outreach, every sermon, and every act of compassion pointed to that eternal goal.

Dr. Sanders’ life was truly one of faith, miracles, and compassion. She has finished her course with joy, and her legacy continues through her family, her church, her school, her outreaches, and the countless spiritual sons and daughters she raised up. Truly, hers was a life of faith crowned with glory..