Our Mission

Our mission is to minister the transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ to men, women, youth, and children. We are committed to teaching the truth of God's Word, cultivating disciples, strengthening families, and empowering the next generation to discover their identity and purpose in Christ.

At Christ Image Community Church, we believe there is a place for everyone. Rooted in the heart of Saginaw, Michigan, we are a church family dedicated to loving people, building meaningful relationships, and serving our community. Through ministries for every age and season of life, along with our Child Development Center and After School Program, we strive to create an environment where individuals and families can grow, belong, and experience the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Wherever you are in life, there's a place for you at Christ Image.

Affectionately known as “Beep,” Pastor Eugene Burton has always been someone you simply cannot forget. Born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, Eugene was known as the undeniable class clown of Saginaw High School. Bursting with energy, humor, and a bright, zealous spirit, he had a natural ability to light up any room he entered. His infectious laughter, outgoing spirit, and magnetic personality made him someone people were naturally drawn to.

Yet behind that vibrant personality was a childhood marked by tremendous pain, trauma, and profound adversity. From an early age, Eugene faced hardships and challenges that would leave a lasting impact on his life. His journey was far from easy, shaped by difficult experiences that tested his strength and resilience long before he understood the purpose behind them. But even through the deepest seasons of adversity, God was at work, preparing him for a calling greater than he could have imagined. What once seemed like overwhelming obstacles would become part of a powerful testimony of God's grace, faithfulness, and transforming power.

Before he was called to lead, he first learned what it meant to serve.

Long before establishing Christ Image Community Church, Eugene was fervently serving the Lord. Under the leadership and mentorship of his first bishop, the late Bishop Marvin C. Prior, he received a strong spiritual foundation rooted in faithfulness, humility, obedience, and a genuine heart for serving God. Those formative years helped shape not only the minister he would become, but the heart of the shepherd he is today.

In 2008, while living in Jacksonville, Florida, Eugene received a vision from God to establish a church. During a season of economic recession and uncertainty, he returned to his hometown of Saginaw, Michigan, choosing to trust and obey the voice of the Lord. That same year, Christ Image Community Church was established. What began as a vision became a journey of faith, perseverance, sacrifice, and unwavering obedience.

A Heart For The Next Generation

One of Pastor Eugene's greatest passions is his heart for children and young people. He firmly believes that the voices of the next generation matter and that young people should not only be seen but heard, valued, encouraged, and empowered. For many years, he served through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, investing his time in mentoring, supporting, and helping young people recognize their potential.

His passion for youth and families continues to shape the vision of Christ Image Community Church. With the blessing of a new facility, the church has expanded its opportunities to serve the community.

Pastor Eugene's vision extends beyond the next generation to the entire family. Christ Image Community Church is home to ministries designed to meet people in various seasons of life, including Women's Ministry, Men's Ministry, Singles Ministry, Young Adults Ministry, and a vibrant Worship and Music Ministry. Each ministry reflects a shared desire to build meaningful relationships, strengthen families, develop disciples, and create a community where people can grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

A Legacy Of Faith And Faithfulness

Throughout his journey in ministry, Pastor Eugene has continued to recognize the importance of spiritual leadership, accountability, and godly counsel. Today, he serves under the spiritual covering of his spiritual father, Joseph Rodriguez of Agape Faith Fellowship, who provides mentorship, accountability, support, and oversight for the ministry. This relationship reflects Pastor Eugene's belief that even those called to lead must remain submitted, teachable, and accountable.

Now, 18 years later, the vision God placed in his heart continues to unfold. Through God's faithfulness, Christ Image Community Church has been blessed with a new facility and an even greater opportunity to impact lives, strengthen families, and serve the community.

At the heart of Pastor Eugene's ministry is a passion for teaching the transformative Gospel of Jesus Christ—a Gospel that does more than inspire people, but has the power to change hearts, renew minds, restore lives, and reveal the image of Christ in every believer.

Eighteen years later, the vision continues: transforming lives through Jesus Christ.

A woman of remarkable strength, wisdom, and unwavering faith, Co-Pastor Melissa Burton embodies resilience, grace, and love. Her intelligence, determination, and extraordinary work ethic are evident in all that she does. Her drive, ambition, and heart for others reflect a life shaped not only by perseverance but by the sustaining grace of God.

Yet her journey has not been without adversity. From an early age, Melissa experienced the painful realities of domestic violence and deep emotional wounds that no child should have to endure. Her upbringing was marked by challenges that could have easily defined her future, but God's grace continued to carry her through every tear, every trial, and every season of uncertainty. Through it all, she emerged as a woman of incredible strength, compassion, and resilience—a testimony that life's most difficult beginnings do not have to determine its ending.

A Divine Union And Shared Purpose

Little did Melissa know that the energetic class clown she once passed in the halls of Saginaw High School would one day become her husband and an essential part of God's plan for her life. What began as two individuals with their own stories, struggles, and experiences would eventually become a beautiful testimony of God's faithfulness and divine purpose.

Her union with Pastor Eugene Burton marked the beginning of a shared journey of faith, service, and ministry. Together, they have navigated seasons of adversity, sacrifice, growth, and triumph, remaining committed to the calling God placed upon their lives. Their partnership extends far beyond marriage; it is rooted in a shared desire to see lives transformed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Together, they have dedicated their lives to serving God's people, strengthening families, and building a ministry that reaches beyond the walls of the church.

A Heart For God's Word And Leadership

At the heart of Co-Pastor Melissa's ministry is a deep and unwavering passion for the Word of God. An avid student of Scripture, she finds great joy in studying, understanding, and sharing biblical truth. She firmly believes that God's Word is not merely something to be heard, but something to be diligently studied, understood, and lived out. With a strong sense of urgency, she emphasizes the importance of believers being firmly rooted in Scripture, recognizing that the Word of God is essential for spiritual growth, discernment, and transformation.

Serving alongside Pastor Eugene, she assists in the teaching ministry of Christ Image Community Church, encouraging believers to develop a genuine hunger for God's Word and a deeper understanding of His truth.

Beyond her passion for Scripture, Co-Pastor Melissa has a remarkable gift and love for administration. As the church's Senior Administrator, she plays an essential role in supporting the vision, structure, and daily operations of the ministry. Her exceptional work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence help ensure that the church operates with purpose, organization, and integrity.

While much of her administrative work takes place behind the scenes, its impact is felt throughout the ministry. With wisdom, diligence, and a servant's heart, she faithfully helps bring the vision of Christ Image Community Church to life.