Leadership
Rev. Macho Lara
Rafael “Macho” Lara has spent his life in ministry. As a pastor’s kid with a deep love for the local church, he has served as a preacher, teacher, and worship leader in a variety of settings. His greatest passion is seeing the Gospel lived out through the everyday lives of ordinary people, embodied in community, expressed through justice and compassion, and rooted in the transforming love of Jesus.
Macho holds a Bachelor’s in Pastoral Ministry from Nyack College, a Master’s in Christian Studies from Crown College, and a Master’s in Church Development from Alliance Theological Seminary. He is an ordained pastor with The Christian and Missionary Alliance, and his ministry is shaped by theological depth, spiritual honesty, and practical discipleship.
He serves bi-vocationally as a Lead IT Instructor at Year Up United, a national organization closing the opportunity divide for young adults. In this role, he teaches technical and professional skills, leads a team of instructors, and mentors students as they grow in confidence, character, and career readiness. His work bridges faith and vocation and reflects a deep commitment to holistic transformation through education, leadership, and opportunity.
Macho is the author of Those Who Wait: Biblical Stories for When God Seems Slow, a reflective and pastoral guide for those navigating delay and uncertainty. Through his writing and ministry, he helps people rebuild faith and leadership with honesty, integrity, and presence, making the way of Jesus believable again in the real world.
Rev. Erica Lara
Erica Lara has spent nearly 20 years dedicated to youth ministry and youth development, both in church and nonprofit settings. She is a gifted preacher, dynamic teacher, and seasoned leadership developer who is deeply committed to walking alongside young people as they discover who they are in Christ and how they are called to live. Her passion lies in creating spaces where the next generation can wrestle honestly with faith, identity, and purpose—and be empowered to lead with integrity and hope.
Erica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Youth and Christian Education from Nyack College and a Master’s in International Leadership Studies from Crown College. Her academic and practical experience have equipped her to serve not only as a frontline leader but also as a mentor and trainer of emerging voices in youth work and ministry.
She currently serves as the City Life Cohort Director with Youth For Christ NYC, where she oversees mentoring and leadership development for youth workers across the city, builds bridges between local churches and community-based youth ministries, and develops strategic outreach initiatives that reflect the heart of Christ for urban youth.
In addition to her role at Youth For Christ, Erica continues to invest in leaders as a speaker and trainer, bringing clarity, compassion, and theological depth to every space she steps into. Whether she’s preaching to a room of teenagers, facilitating leadership cohorts, or equipping volunteers, Erica’s calling remains the same: to champion the next generation and cultivate a culture of faith, formation, and flourishing.