Pastors Marlon & Tamara Saunders

Pastor Marlon Saunders was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He is a multi-generational Pentecostal Senior Pastor, Preacher and Teacher with roots that are directly connected to the 1906 Azusa Street Revival.

Being the grandson of an Apostolic Bishop, Bishop John E. Sheriff, and the cousin to one of the most beloved former Presiding Bishops of The Church of God in Christ, Bishop Louis H. Ford, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ is embedded throughout the lineage of Pastor Marlon Saunders.

Pastor Marlon was licensed as a Minister at the age of 19 within the United Council of Christian Churches. At the age of 21, Pastor Marlon was ordained as an Elder within the church.

On March 2, 2008, Pastor Marlon launched Valencia Christian Center in Valencia, CA. The church opened on that Sunday, without any prior services or Bible studies, with approximately 30 people.

Over the next few years, God grew Valencia Christian Center from approximately 30 people to approximately 600 people. Pastor Marlon served as the Senior Pastor of Valencia Christian Center for 10 years.

In December 2018, God transitioned Pastor Marlon back to Denver, Colorado to the church where he met his wife Tamara in 2000 and served faithfully within the Music Ministry – Heritage Christian Center (Founded by Bishop Dennis Leonard in 1985). At the passing of Bishop Leonard on November 1, 2018, the Board of Heritage Christian Center unanimously chose Pastor Marlon to step into the role of Senior Pastor at Heritage Christian Center. Simultaneously, Pastor Marlon’s mother, Dr. Swanzi Saunders, stepped into the role of Senior Pastor at Valencia Christian Center. For nearly 5 years, God used Pastor Marlon to shepherd and shape the ministry, mission, and work of Heritage Christian Center.

On April 20, 2023, Pastor Marlon stepped out of the role of Senior Pastor at Heritage Christian Center and launched Hope City Church of Colorado with his wife, Tamara, Co-Pastoring at his side. The initial launch service on Sunday, April 23 saw an overwhelming response of love and support with over 700 people in attendance to worship God together.

Pastor Marlon is a devout Christian, husband, father, and pastor who truly has a genuine heart, love, and passion for helping people. His number one desire is to help as many people as possible discover their God-given gifts, talents, abilities, and potential. His goal is to help people maximize all that has been placed on the inside of them.

As a Husband, he is committed to helping men lead their families spiritually, emotionally, and physically as they are led by God.

As a Father, he is committed to helping men cultivate healthy, strong, and lasting relationships with their children.

As a Senior Pastor, he is committed to helping people walk in complete freedom, productivity, wellness, and wholeness in every area of their life.

Pastor Marlon currently resides in Aurora, CO with his lovely wife of 21 years, Tamara Saunders, and their 3 children, Mason, Sydney, and Maxwell.

Pastor Marlon blends the Psychology that he studied at Howard University, the Theology that he studied at Life Bible College, the REAL-LIFE that he studied just by being a human being, the HUMOR that he inherited naturally from his “never a dull moment” family, with the REVELATION that he gets from God to present a relevant/right on time, direct word from God every time he is afforded the opportunity.

Pastor Marlon continues to find comfort on a daily basis through one of his favorite scriptures, Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”

Pastor Marlon Saunders

Pastor Marlon, Maxwell (Front), Mason (Back),
Sydney and Co-Pastor Tamara

Tamara Ancor

Pastor Tamara Saunders has served in ministry alongside her husband, Pastor Marlon Saunders, since the two launched Valencia Christian Center in Valencia, CA in March 2008. God used them together from 2008 - 2018 to grow Valencia Christian Center from literally a prayer and conversation between the two of them to approximately 600 people in weekly attendance with several ministries within the church and local community.

In December 2018, God transitioned Pastor Tamara and Pastor Marlon back to the church in Denver, CO where they met in 2000 - Heritage Christian Center (founded by Bishop Dennis Leonard in 1985). While there, Pastor Tamara served not only as the Co-Pastor of the church but also as the Director of the Heritage Christian Center Women’s Ministry.

On April 20, 2023, Pastor Tamara Co-Founded and launched Hope City Church of Colorado with her husband. The initial launch service on Sunday, April 23rd saw an overwhelming response of love and support with over 700 people in attendance to worship God together.

In addition to serving as the Co-Pastor of Hope City Church of Colorado, Pastor Tamara is a very active member in the Aurora/Denver Community. With a passion for outreach, Pastor Tamara is a dedicated supporter of women’s outreach organizations, schools, and non-profits with a focus on helping and elevating women of all ages, phases, and circumstances. Pastor Tamara is an incredible example of strength and leadership to many as she serves with elegance and excellence in multiple roles spanning across many walks of life - wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, ministry, outreach and community leader. With a strong commitment to her faith and her family, Pastor Tamara leads women through practical and biblical teaching on how to walk in the wholeness, wellness, and worthiness that God has for them. Her heart’s desire is to simply see women walk in their God-given purpose. Her passion for providing support for women to discover, develop, and remain determined in their God-given destiny serves as the foundation for the Women’s Ministry that Pastor Tamara launched in 2008, Women R.I.S.E. – a ministry dedicated to the resilience, integrity, strength, and elevation of all women.

Pastor Tamara Saunders credits her passion and determination to see all women “rise” to her relationship with God, her parents, her children (Mason, Sydney, and Maxwell), and the continued leadership and support of her husband.