City to City Team

Executive Director

Over the course of his career, Larry Acosta founded the Hispanic Ministry Center, Urban YouthWorkers Institute (UYWI) and KIDWORKS, a community development corporation that reaches and educates at-risk youth in Central Santa Ana, which he co-founded with his wife Jayme.  Under Larry’s leadership, UYWI grew from a local, Southern California ministry, to a national urban leadership development organization- training next gen. ethnic pastors and leaders in over 32 cities across the U.S. Larry is currently the Executive Director and Lead Catalyst for City to City Los Angeles. His vision is to see 100 multiethnic, Gospel centered churches planted or re-planted throughout Southern California by 2026. After graduating from Biola University and Talbot School of Theology, Larry completed his doctorate in Leadership Development at Fuller Theological Seminary. He also serves on the boards of Kingdomworks SDG and Azusa Pacific University. Larry is married to his lovely wife Jayme of 31 years, and they have four young adult children that they are crazy about...most days- Brock, Karis, Malia and Diego.
To keep life light, he loves God, cherishes time with his family, and finds joy in celebrating people.

Director of Español

Rudy received his Ordination from the Assemblies of God.  He graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with an MA in Theology and Ministry.  Pastor Rudy continues to embrace education, as he believes it is a key component to success in ministry.

Once a bi-vocational church planter, Pastor Rudy understands firsthand the unique challenges that are faced by this type of ministry, which many young adult church planters are encountering today.  He is passionate about making the bible comprehensible, which allows him to guide leaders on their journey toward their God-given goals. God has blessed Pastor Rudy with his beautiful wife, Tanya, four amazing children, a lovely daughter-in-love, and two precious grandkids, Julia Rose, and Elijah Rey. They reside in Irvine, CA.

Long Beach Regional Director

Sean and his wife Sarah have two boys, and have been serving at Light and Life Christian Fellowship Church in Long Beach since 2012, where now Pastor Sean is Co-Lead Pastor. One of his main passions is to train, guide, and raise up church planters to reach urban city centers in Southern California. Through his strategic leadership and partnership, Long Beach has become a hub for networking and gathering for CTCLA.

Inland Empire Regional Director

Lance is the founder and senior Pastor of Character Church in Riverside California. With over 10 years of ministry and five years in the Pastorate; he shares candidly about the challenges the local church faces and provides spiritual solution driven responses to the matter of social inequities and political injustice with cultural sensitivity. His source of inspiration comes from his faith, his wife Ashlynn, and their two sons.

San Diego Regional Director

Christian Castro is the Lead Pastor of Rolando Church in the Community Church Movement. He has been involved in church planting for decades - having planted churches in the Midwest and on the East coast, before getting the call to come to San Diego. Christian is also a leader in the San Diego Church Planting Movement and is the San Diego Regional Director for City to City. He has been married to Liz for 23 years and together they have three teenage boys.

South LA Regional Director

Gentre is a dedicated leader serving South Los Angeles with a passion for gospel-centered transformation. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California and serves as the Executive Pastor of Faithful Saint Mark Church. Gentre brings a wealth of expertise in community engagement, ministry development, and leadership training. His work focuses on equipping pastors, revitalizing communities, and fostering sustainable ministry growth in urban contexts.

To keep life light, he loves God, cherishes time with his family, and finds joy in celebrating people.

Director of Training

Enrique has a passion for the urban poor and helping people get connected to Jesus.  With God's grace & help he planted and currently pastors Hope Community Church in East LA and serves as the Director of Training with City to City LA.  Enrique received his MA in Social and Civic Entrepreneurship and is a life-long learner. He and his wife Jennica have been married for 16 years and have three children. In his spare time, he loves a good meal, a good game of basketball, and a good book.

Orange County Regional Director

Ben Applebee is the lead pastor of Watermark Church in Costa Mesa, California. Watermark planted a church in 2012 in hopes to reach the Latino/Spanish Speaking community in Orange County, a population that makes up about 35% of OC residents. At Watermark, we are one church with two languages, hosting a full service with worship, message, and community all in Spanish

Director of Alumni & Catalyst

DJ and his wife Crista are southeast LA natives. They got married in 2008 and planted Imago Dei in 2015. Together they have five awesome kids. DJ loves Jesus and is passionate about preaching the Bible, planting churches, and raising up leaders who will help make Jesus known!

Director of Coaching

Paul has been a pastor for about 30 years in Philadelphia and LA and is helping to plant Providence Church in the San Fernando Valley. He has a passion to help people be transformed by the gospel and is a pastor to pastors. He is ordained in the PCA, has received degrees from Missio and Westminster Seminaries (both in Philly), is a certified coach with Creative Results Management and the International Coaching Federation (ACC).

Paul has been happily married to Janette for 24 years and enjoys hanging with his 4 boys, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, and staying fit.

Chief Operating Officer

With over 20 years in ministry, he has served as Pastor of Purpose Driven Development with the Global PEACE Plan at Saddleback Church, training pastors globally. He has also held key leadership roles, including Executive Pastor, Creative and Communications Director, and Chief of Staff. Sam is passionate about equipping leaders, strengthening churches, and fostering gospel-centered movements that transform cities.

Español Executive Assistant