Dr. Larry ACOSTA
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.
To keep life light, he loves God, cherishes time with his family, and finds joy in celebrating people.
SEAN FENNER
Long Beach
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.
Dr. christian castro
San Diego
Dr. Christian Castro is the Lead Pastor of Rolando Church, part of the Community Church Movement, and serves as the Regional Director for City to City San Diego. He’s been in church planting for over two decades, with experience spanning the Midwest, East Coast, and now Southern California. Along the way, he’s helped launch new churches and breathe new life into legacy congregations by connecting with the next generation.
Christian planted a church in New York through Redeemer Church Planting Center, which later became City to City, under the mentorship of Tim Keller. Since then, he’s continued working with City to City in different capacities. He holds an MDiv in Urban Ministry from Westminster Theological Seminary and a DMin in Missiology from Southeastern University.
Christian has been married to Liz for 25 years, and they’re raising three incredible sons together. When he’s not pastoring or coaching leaders, you’ll find him working on his garden, riding his dirt bike, playing sports with his sons, and spending time with his family.
Christian planted a church in New York through Redeemer Church Planting Center, which later became City to City, under the mentorship of Tim Keller. Since then, he’s continued working with City to City in different capacities. He holds an MDiv in Urban Ministry from Westminster Theological Seminary and a DMin in Missiology from Southeastern University.
Christian has been married to Liz for 25 years, and they’re raising three incredible sons together. When he’s not pastoring or coaching leaders, you’ll find him working on his garden, riding his dirt bike, playing sports with his sons, and spending time with his family.
LANCE PENLAND
Inland Empire
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.
Ben APPLEBEE
Orange County
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
Daniel jansson
Alumni Program
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!
Sam SONG
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.
SARAI VILLEGAS
Operations Manager
Sarai is a devoted follower of Jesus, married to Jonathan for 14 years, and mother of four- Aiden, Josiah, Elijah and Iris. She currently serves as the Operations Manager at City to City Southern California, where she helps empower pastors and church planters to carry out the mission of the gospel with clarity and strength.
Sarai is also a worship leader at her local church and has a heart for developing leaders—especially the next generation. With a strong sense of calling, she is pursuing a degree in Pastoral Counseling at Kairos Pacific University, equipping herself to walk alongside others in healing, growth, and spiritual formation.
Creative by nature and servant-hearted by choice, Sarai sees her life as a bridge—connecting generations, cultures, and callings for the glory of God.
Sarai is also a worship leader at her local church and has a heart for developing leaders—especially the next generation. With a strong sense of calling, she is pursuing a degree in Pastoral Counseling at Kairos Pacific University, equipping herself to walk alongside others in healing, growth, and spiritual formation.
Creative by nature and servant-hearted by choice, Sarai sees her life as a bridge—connecting generations, cultures, and callings for the glory of God.