Staff

Pastor Marlon Saunders
Senior Pastor
PastorMSaunders[@]valenciachristiancenter.org

Pastor Marlon Saunders was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Being raised the grandson of an Apostolic Bishop, the cousin to one of the most beloved former Presiding Bishops within the Church of God in Christ Organization, and the son of two Pentecostal Ministers, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ is embedded throughout Pastor Marlon’s lineage as he is a 5^th generation Pentecostal preacher.

Pastor Marlon was licensed as a Minister at the age of 19 within the United Council of Christian Churches – an organization in which his grandfather served as the Founder and Presiding Bishop. At the age of 21, Pastor Marlon was ordained as an Elder within the church.

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 is the very proud husband of First Lady Tamara Saunders and the very proud father of two wonderful children.

First Lady Tamara Saunders
First Lady
1stLadyTSaunders[@]valenciachristiancenter.org

Tamara Saunders is originally from Denver, Colorado where she was a full time staff member of a multicultural mega church. In 2001 she married the love of her life and moved to Southern California.

In 2008 she supported her husband’s full time call to ministry and along with God’s tremendous favor helped birth Valencia Christian Center. In 2009 she was appointed as the Director of the Women’s Ministry known as God’s Women of Influence. She proudly served alongside of the GWI taskforce to provide spiritual and natural support to the women of Valencia Christian Center and the local community.

Tamara Saunders continues to stand beside her husband as a support and helpmeet to accomplish the vision and the mission of Valencia Christian Center. She is the proud mother of two and enjoys volunteering her time in the community.

Pastor Derick Dimry
Executive Pastor
PastorDDimry[@]valenciachristiancenter.org

Pastor Derick Dimry has been ministering to the body of Christ since 1976. He has taught age groups from 4 years and up. He has taught the Bible in homes, schools, churches, recreation rooms and even a prison Bible study. At CSUN, he functioned as a pastor over a large Bible Study for 10 years. After being ordained in 1996, he has served as Administrative Pastor, Children’s Pastor, Pastoral Care and Executive Pastor. Together with his wife of almost 20 years, they have ministered to Singles; whether never married, single parent, divorced or widowed by creating a safe place to grow, heal and be supported.

In his journey he has received an AA in Business Administration, School of Ministry Diploma, Bachelor of Theology and a Biblical Counseling Certificate. He has been with Valencia Christian Center since the first service 2008.

Joe Huard
Chairman of the Elder Board
ElderJHuard[@]valenciachristiancenter.org

Joe Huard, with 5 years in the USAF, 20 years as a plumber and a 1993 graduate of Heritage International Bible School, received his pastoral license in 1995.

He has taught Sunday School, been a head usher, an assistant to the pastor, helped plant three churches, helped in the acquisition of a church and the merging of two separate churches. A member of Valencia Christian Center since 2009 and presently the chairman of the Elder Board.

He serves with his wife Rosa and is a reservoir of experience and godly wisdom.

Mimi Cotton
Personal Assistant to the Senior Pastor
MCotton[@]valenciachristiancenter.org

Mimi Cotton is the Personal Assistant to the Sr. Pastor. She has been a member of Valencia Christian Center from the first day of starting and has been involved. With Mimi coming from a family where her father Pastors, she understands the business of church as well as church business.

Mimi has an extensive background in accounting in the Finance Dept of a major Museum where she has worked for  nearly 22 years as well as 8 years in banking.

Theresa Bailey
Minister of Music
TBailey[@]valenciaChristianCenter.org

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Theresa Bailey started directing church choirs at the age of ten in the United Methodist church where she grew up. In 1999 she graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston and earned degrees in both Film Scoring and Music Production & Engineering. Over the years, Theresa has been blessed to tour and perform with some of the world’s best musicians, including Chaka Khan, Queen Latifah, Fantasia, Mary Mary, Usher, Lalah Hathaway, Raphael Saadiq, as well many others, and minister through her music at churches ranging from Catholic to Church of God in Christ. In 2007, she was the featured vocalist and keyboardist for Cirque Du Soleil’s show “Kooza.” Additionally, Theresa’s voice has been featured on several national tv commercials and she has been a songwriter for EMI Publishing since 2001.

Theresa uses everything she has learned as a Christian, backup singer, songwriter, vocal coach, music teacher, and musician in her role as Minister of Music at Valencia Christian Center. She considers it a privilege to lead God’s people in worship every week.

Theresa is married to Chris Bailey, Valencia Christian Center’s super talented drummer, and together they have a son Jayden, and twin girls Alex and Kya.