lead PASTOR


RICH SAUNDERS

Welcome! I'm Pastor Rich Saunders, Lead Pastor here at TRNaz. I was the pastor to students and families (CrossFire Student Ministries) for over 10 years before being called to serve as lead at the start of July 2019. Time has surely, and certainly, flown by and what a crazy, but exciting, transition this has been!


My wife, Tracey, who serves as leader of our Sunday morning Praise & Worship Team, and I have been married since June 18th of 2005 and have 4 kids: two boys, men now, who are grown and married with beautiful children of their own (GRANDKIDS!) another boy, a high schooler, and our daughter, and youngest, who is a middle school student.


This church is our "home church", meaning this is the first church we have attended as a couple, and the first church I have ever attended in my life. We started coming to TR Naz in late 2004 seeking hard to make changes in our life for the better. This church is where I "found Jesus" (He was never hiding from me) and became a believer, accepting Christ as my Savior and repenting of my sins. It's also where I asked to be completely filled with His Spirit (sanctification) and where I was also called into church ministry (Super Bowl Sunday, Feb 1, 2009). To say I've had some experiences here would be a humongous understatement!


It is an honor and privilege to be made useful by our Creator and to be allowed to come alongside this church family as they travel on the journey of faith. I am grateful to have been able to impact so many and thankful so many have been able to impact me. We truly are a family here and always looking to add more to our number!


I like to think of Sunday as "Reunion Sunday," where we get to see each other, share our successes and our struggles, and learn and grow together. I look forward to seeing you here at the next reunion!


God bless and Christ on,


Pastor Rich (PR)

Associate / Pastor to Students and Families


Nathan Colburn

I’m Nathan Colburn, the “New Guy” here at TRNaz, and I’m on a journey with Jesus.  A brief snapshot of my family: My wife, Megan, is the love of my life.  We met playing Ultimate Frisbee, dated for 15 months, have now been married over 17 years, and are the proud parents of five beautiful daughters (Our oldest is in her mid-teen years, and our youngest is only halfway to the “double digit” mark).  Life in our home is loud, raw, busy, and stressful at times, but also full of joy at other times.  In our big family, Megan and I can clearly see how God can use all of our relationships to teach us how to love others.  

 

I grew up attending Nazarene churches and Christian schools, and from a very young age my parents taught me the truth of Scripture and God’s love for me.  When I was about 8 years old, I first invited Jesus into my heart, but it was in junior high when I really surrendered my life to Him.  As I reflect, it was that point when I can really see my relationship with Jesus begin to grow and put roots deep into my very being.  I began to read my Bible and desire to know God on a deeper level.  Then, as a sophomore in high school, I went on the first of many mission trips and felt a call toward full-time mission work.  I pursued that call for the next 11 years through the remainder of high school, college, and seminary, but through doors God and I opened and closed, He placed me in a position that totally stretched me and forced my reliance on Him-  becoming a teacher.  In that role, I spent the next 13 memorable years digging deeper into God’s Word in order to share it with many junior and senior high students.  

 

For years, Megan and I have said that life is about the journey, not the destination.  In my journey with Jesus, I received a very clear reminder of that in the spring of 2020 when I learned my position at the Christian school had been cut.  I knew immediately that I needed to lean into God and follow Him to whatever ministry or job he might lead me.  As in the story of Abram in Genesis 12, God told me to walk and follow Him, but did not reveal the path until I was already moving forward.  The following months stretched me both emotionally and financially, but as I journeyed with Jesus, God revealed Himself to my family, clearly showing us His provision and faithfulness.  Finally, following 13 months as a stay-at-home dad, God planted my family and I here at TRNaz where I am the Associate/ Pastor to Students and Families.   

 

The road God has taken me on to reach this moment in life has been an adventure, to say the least, but my family and I are thrilled to be part of this church family!  We look forward to watching what God does in our own lives, and in the lives of the families and students I minister to each week.  We’re on a journey with Jesus, so come and see what He does!

 

Trusting Him,

Pastor Nathan

OFFICE MANAGER

lisa vaillancourt

Lisa was born into a Christian home and has lived in relationship with Jesus since an early age, attending Temple Baptist throughout her youth, where she was baptized.  Happily married to Nate Vaillancourt, they have three children, Ashton, Jamison, and Atty.  After serving various organizations and businesses in different secretarial roles, Lisa joined the TRNaz team as Office Manager in July, 2023, and “absolutely loves it!”  She desires to use her position to serve God well, in whatever capacity is needed!  A few last details about Lisa- she has a passion for Bible prophecy, loves her coffee black, and her favorite food is ‘anything that’s not healthy.’  


CUSTODIAL CREW

Allyson Hull and Tammy Hughes

Allyson and Tammy are the two senior members of our custodial team, which is rounded out with Allyson's boys, who are custodians-in-training! Each week they work together, giving their time to the church to clean and reset, prepping the facilities for another week of ministry.  Thank you, ladies, for all you do!