Pastors Marlon & Tamara Saunders
The Leaders Behind Hope City
Pastors Marlon and Tamara Saunders independently founded Hope City Church of Colorado in Aurora, Colorado, in 2023. Together, they lead a Bible-based, Spirit-filled, multicultural church committed to helping people Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, and Make a Difference.
Pastor Marlon 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.
He who has begun a good work in you will complete it.
-Philippians 1:6
A Legacy Of Faith
Pastor Marlon was licensed as a Minister at the age of 19 within the United Council of Christian Churches and ordained as an Elder within the church at the age of 21.
Called To Lead
Pastor Marlon has over 18 years of Senior Pastor, Church Development & Growth, Church Leadership Training and Consultation experience.
A Heart For People
Pastor Marlon’s journey as a founding Senior Pastor began on March 2, 2008, with the launch of Valencia Christian Center in Valencia, California. On April 20, 2023, he continued that calling by launching Hope City Church of Colorado in Aurora, Colorado.
LICENSED AT 19
as a Minister
ORDAINED AT 21
as an Elder
Valencia Christian Center
Founded, March 2, 2008
Hope City Colorado
Launched, April 20, 2023
A Man Of God
Pastor Marlon is a devout Christian, husband, father, pastor, and author who truly has a genuine heart, love, and passion for helping people. His desire is to help as many people as possible discover their God-given gifts, talents, abilities, and potential.
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.
The Saunders Family (From Left to Right): Mason, Co-Pastor Tamara, Sydney,Pastor Marlon and Maxwell
A True Calling
As a Senior Pastor, he is committed to helping people walk in complete freedom, productivity, wellness, and wholeness in every area of their life.
As an Author, he is committed to writing very clear strategies that equip people with much needed spiritual and practical life-enhancing and life-changing tools that last a lifetime. He is the author of the much talked about and highly loved book, “Life is Like Sports: How To Triumph Over Life’s Obstacles.”
The Heart Behind His Ministry
Pastor Marlon resides in Aurora, CO with his lovely wife of 24 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”
Co-Pastor Tamara Saunders
LEADERSHIP & EXCELLENCE
Pastor Tamara Saunders has over 25 years of Church Leadership, Organization, and Administration experience and has become a widely acknowledged and respected wealth of knowledge for church business and protocol.
Community Outreach
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.
She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
— Proverbs 31:20
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.
Helping Women R.I.S.E.
Pastor Tamara Saunders credits her passion and determination to her relationship with God, her parents, her children (Mason, Sydney, and Maxwell), and the continued leadership and support of her husband for 24 years, Pastor Marlon Saunders.
A Life Of Love
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a HOPE!"
Jeremiah 29:11
