Leadership

Mary R. Tellis is an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches and National Baptist USA denominations. A native of Louisiana, she is the founder of the life coaching ministry BeTrue2U. She is also the founder of Queen, a movement that inspires women from all walks of life to love, lift and liberate one another by providing them with coaching, mentoring, support, and scholarships.

Formerly, she served as the Associate Executive Director at Open Door Ministries, Ministry and Mission Coach at American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains, an educator with the Denver Public Schools, and was Operations Site Manager at Bayaud Enterprises.

Mary has received numerous degrees from Louisiana Tech University, Truth Bible College, and Denver Seminary.

A dynamic preacher and motivational speaker, Mary has been invited to preach, conduct workshops, and facilitate leadership training throughout the U.S. and beyond. She has traveled as far as Africa, Israel, Thailand, France, and the Bahamas to share her passion and gifts through presentations.

Mary received the Excellence in Community service award from the Ministers Widows and Wives Association, 100 Faces in the Crowd, and the Excellence in Leadership award from the Gospel Music Academy and Hall of Fame Academy. Although she has received numerous commendations, Mary is most proud of the accolades she has received from the youth she has been privileged to serve and mentor.

Mary Tellis is married to Rev. John L. Tellis Jr., Pastor, Solomon Temple Missionary Baptist Church, Denver, Colorado. They are the parents of three beautiful children and four granddaughters. 

Daughter of a farmer turned engineer and a champion of the debate, Vicki grew up familiar with curbing chaos, fixing stuff, and the ability to see an argument from either side. However, Vicki was a city kid born to a rural family. She became a prodigal street kid living along East Colfax by the age of 9 and proceeded to make uninformed and simply bad choices which led to crime and abuse. Her story could have ended there, as a victim living in fear and emotional isolation, but for the grace of God.

Nothing fancy changed her prodigal perspective. She just began meeting some everyday Christian people, just like you. People that prayed, chatted, invited her for a meal, or simply treated her with quiet respect. Steered back to reconciliation with her family, she and her parents worked to rebuild trust and friendship. The Holy Spirit did the rest and she discovered that she could find healing for her body, mind, and soul through Christ. No longer a victim, she is a survivor.

Now Vicki lives a surrendered life for her Savior, a missionary to the very streets that had almost broken her once before. She now feels passionate about sharing God's plans for building relationships, and for community development with church partners and champions. Vicki has served with Prodigal Gatherings as a volunteer for 4 years beginning on July 2002 and on staff at ROP since September 2006. Called of God to work with inner-city teens initially, Vicki has grown into duties that include mentoring her staff, interns, and alumni teens, as well as directing small groups and volunteers in mission trips and outreaches with ROP.

Tracey Grant has served in community partnership alongside ROP for many years through her church, Agape Missionary Church, under the leadership and guidance of Pastor Norman and Mother Cheryl Hurd. It is there she serves the Lord as the Women's Ministry Leader, teacher and Director of Curriculum and Instruction. She has been blessed to have been surrounded by strong faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. Growing up as a Colorado native near the old Stapleton International Airport, Tracey has seen many changes and development in this community.

She unites all of her education, experience, passion and love for the Lord and His people in her role at ROP. Tracey received her undergraduate education from Metropolitan State College with a degree in English and Secondary Education. She went on to earn a master's degree from the University of Phoenix in the Diverse Learner and in Educational Administration.  As a lifelong learner, currently, she is finishing another Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Colorado Christian University.

Tracey served 33 years in the Cherry Creek School District, where she enjoyed a rich career as Teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Human Resources, and her final position before retirement as Executive Director of Middle School Education. Each role was filled with opportunities, challenges, and much learning all to the glory of God.

Tracey is one of the founders and the Education Leadership Executive Director of the Music and Leadership Institute of Denver. This community non-profit organization serves to Cultivate a Future of Excellence in young people through music education and leadership development. It has been and continues to be a passion project but is just one of her community outreach endeavors.

Tracey Grant is the youngest daughter of Rodell (Rudy) Grant and Della Scarver. She is the proud mother of Kendra and proud Mama-Aunt to Gabriel.

As a Colorado native, Meghan has always had a love for the Rocky Mountain state. However, over the last several years, the Lord has been stirring up an even greater love for Colorado and the many people who call it home.

This deep love began taking root throughout her time at Colorado Christian University, where she earned her BA in Youth Ministry. While there, she was greatly blessed to serve in numerous ministry contexts. She is astounded by the ways the Lord has utilized each of her experiences to grow a passion for reaching the lost with the Gospel, and offering spaces of belonging to those who are not often received with love.

Meghan began her life in ministry as a KidZone Teacher at Cherry Hills Community Church, served as an intern for Wellspring Church, and worked as the Church and Community Relations Intern at Denver Rescue Mission. The Lord brought Meghan to the East Colfax community through her position of Social Media Coordinator for Jesus on Colfax.

She is beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to continue loving and serving the East Colfax neighborhood at ROP. The Lord has given her big dreams for the teens of this community.  Meghan feels so humbled to join in the redemptive work that is at hand.

Meghan and her husband Crosby live in Englewood. 

Jesus called Ashley and her husband to mission work over 12 years ago, before they were married. They traveled to India, Nigeria, South Sudan, and many places in between. During their journey, they lived in a community of Somalians for over a year, and they reveled in building relationships with amazing children from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Nigeria, and many other cultures. Everyone enjoyed hearing and talking about Jesus' words, ways, and stories. Ashley loves seeing the beauty of God in each and every child from all over the world.

Refugee children and children living in poverty face many trials that are not even on the radar for some of us. Ashley prays that some of the hard things that she has faced in her life can be used to remotely relate to these littles and the difficult situations they face every day. She is dedicated to helping them feel and know the love our God has for them.

Ashley had the privilege of going to college and getting an associate degree in biblical studies, a Cosmetology License, and become Group lead qualified in ECE. She has spent the last 20 years volunteering and working in the church. She has served as the director of the AWANA program at her church and coordinates the Elementary Sunday School program.

Jesus has given Ashley a heart for women, children, and the world, and opened doors for her to work alongside Him in this community to reach our next generation for Christ. Ashley lives in awe of The Lord and His sovereignty. Now married to her husband for more than 10 years, God has blessed them with four little girls.
 

Tish is a native of Colorado, always living around the Westwood area. Her history is not an easy one. Abuse, drugs, and drinking dominated her youth and she became pregnant at age 14. However, she has stayed close with her brothers and one sister through the years.

Her Christian story didn't really start until 2007 at age 40. She walked into Restoration Worship Center looking for a food bank option and met Pastor Doug and his wife, Deb. Tish marks the changes in her life from that moment onward. Not overnight, but one step at a time, for good.

Tish started volunteering with ROP's Food & Clothing Bank while continuing to attend RWC with her grandkids. She came to love the leadership and people she was working with to distribute food to our Colfax community.

Now Tish is living a baptized life, married in Restoration Worship Center to Dustin Freeman. She loves God, His people, and what He continues to do in her life each day. Frogs are a favorite of hers and she likes the Christian sentiment, too. Fully Rely On God (FROG)!

Star joined the ROP team in December 2022 and serves as a receptionist. Her smile is a blessing to everyone who comes in the door as she greets the community, offers prayer, and answers questions.

Star loves working at ROP because she is surrounded by people who LOVE Jesus and are working together to uplift the community around us.

Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her loved ones and enjoy music.

Once you meet Star, you'll know why she has her beautiful name.