Leadership
Macho Lara
Rafael “Macho” Lara has been immersed in ministry his entire life. A pastor’s kid with a heart for the local church, he has served as a preacher, teacher, and worship leader across a variety of settings. His deepest 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 transformative 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. His academic and pastoral formation have shaped a ministry marked by theological depth, spiritual authenticity, and practical discipleship.
He currently serves bi-vocationally as a Lead IT Instructor at Year Up United, a national organization committed to closing the opportunity divide for young adults. In this role, he not only teaches technical and professional skills but also leads and mentors a team of instructors—cultivating a learning environment where students are formed in confidence, character, and career readiness. His work bridges faith and vocation, reflecting a deep commitment to holistic transformation through education, leadership, and opportunity.
Macho is also currently working on his first book, Ctrl+Alt➔Believe: What Happens When Life Crashes – and Faith Reboots—a deeply personal exploration of faith, doubt, loss, and spiritual transformation. Through story, scripture, and reflection, the book invites readers to wrestle honestly with seasons when faith no longer functions and to discover what it means to rebuild belief from the inside out.
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.