Reverend erika gara

Rev. Erika Gara is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church with over 25 years of experience serving local congregations. Rev. Erika grew up in Southern California, spending formative years in the Antelope Valley and Huntington Beach. She received her B.A. in Religious Studies (with a minor in Anthropology) from California State University, Long Beach, where she was very active in the campus ministry and the United Methodist Student Movement. She attended Boston University School of Theology where she earned her Masters of Divinity degree. She’s also received a certificate in Faith Based Community Organizing from San Diego State. Rev. Erika was a Lewis Fellow at Wesley Seminary and graduated from the Upper Room’s Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation.

Rev. Erika served as Associate Pastor at Garden Grove United Methodist Church, and as Lead Pastor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Redondo Beach, Hope United Methodist Church in Torrance, and most recently at First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach. She started a new worship service, built community among different language congregations, led a non-profit food ministry, as well as was the spiritual leader for Strength for the Journey, a retreat for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Rev. Erika believes the power of the local church lies in its ability to create sacred community that allows for all– from cradle to the grave– to grow in faith and service together. Her vocational interests include preaching and worship leadership, teaching, using technology in ministry and worship and equipping the church to serve beyond its walls in the community.

Rev. Erika is married to Joel, an elementary school teacher in the Redondo Beach School District. They have two daughters, Katherine (Kat) and Emily. Rev. Erika loves to spend time with her family, spend time in National Parks, cook/bake, and is a big fan of LA’s new women’s professional soccer team, Angel City Football Club.