Our Leadership

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Jason Harris

Senior Pastor

seniorpastor@centralchurchnyc.org
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Jason Harris is the Senior Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church and leads the staff, officers, and congregation in the pursuit of its shared vision. Jason’s primary responsibility is to lead Central Church and Resound Project, an initiative focused on strengthening the church for a changing world; to facilitate worship and prayer; and to preach and teach, especially through the development of sermons and other creative content with a particular focus on addressing the questions of interested skeptics and encouraging new believers in their faith.

Please contact Jason if you have questions about the claims of Christianity or if you would like to learn more about how to become a Christian or grow in your faith. Please also reach out to Jason if you would like to inquire about baptism at Central, either for yourself or for your child.

Jason joined Central as Director of Church Renewal in 2011 and was called to serve as Senior Pastor in 2013. Jason was raised in New Canaan, Connecticut and was educated at the Brunswick School. He graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Art and Archaeology and from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. Previously, Jason served as the founding Campus Minister for Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at Northwestern University and worked as an analyst for Morgan Stanley in New York City. 

Jason met his wife, Ashley, at Princeton University where she studied Economics and Japanese. Ashley subsequently received a J.D. degree from Columbia University Law School. Jason and Ashley have four children, Luke, Olivia, Eliza, and Charlotte, and they have worked in ministry together since 2005. Ashley plays an active role in the children’s ministry and leads the Thursday morning Women’s Bible Study in addition to meeting with women to help them explore their faith, navigate life’s struggles, and grow in their relationship with Jesus. 

Please reach out to Ashley if you would like to discuss matters of faith or the Thursday morning Women’s Bible Study.

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Chris Hildebrand

Executive Pastor

childebrand@centralchurchnyc.org
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Chris Hildebrand is the Executive Pastor at Central Presbyterian Church where he supports the ongoing pastoral ministry of the church and guides the Central staff to help all of the ministries of Central flourish. 

Please reach out to Chris if you have questions about any of Central’s ministries, if you are in need of pastoral care, or if you would like to inquire about Central’s approach to weddings and marriage counseling, both for those preparing for marriage and those who may be struggling in their marriages.

Prior to joining Central in 2021, Chris led Resurrection Park Slope in Brooklyn as the Senior Pastor. Previously, Chris was Executive Pastor of Resurrection Brooklyn, a multi-congregational church, and Director of its church planting residency program. Chris received his Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida and participated in the church planting fellows program at Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Chris graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and prior to seminary worked in marketing and sales in the chemical industry. Chris and Jeannie have four children, Owen, Evie, Jacob, and Wells.

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Dan Miracola

Senior Director of Finance and Operations

dmiracola@centralchurchnyc.org
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Dan is the Senior Director of Finance and Operations at Central where he oversees the church’s assets and physical property. Dan manages the budget, cash flows, financial reporting, and the building operations that support Central’s growing ministries. Dan also supervises and coordinates the various construction projects currently underway as we seek to restore our historic building to serve its Christ-centered mission in New York City. 

Please contact Dan if you have any questions about Central’s budget and financial giving, Central’s facilities and the renovations underway, or any other items related to building operations.  

Dan grew up in eastern Long Island and moved to New York in 2006 after graduating from Cornell University to pursue a career on Wall Street. After working in finance for nearly nine years, Dan joined Central’s staff in 2015. Dan met his wife, Hannah, through FOCUS (Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools), in which they are both actively involved. Dan and Hannah have three children: Caleb, Ben, and Lily.

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Mary-Catherine McKee

Senior Director of Strategic Development and Communications

mmckee@centralchurchnyc.org
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Mary-Catherine McKee is the Senior Director of Strategic Development and Communications where she oversees the communications department and Central’s creative content, implements consistent and targeted communication plans for a wide range of audiences in alignment with Central’s vision and values, fosters strategic partnerships with donors, supporters, and partners, and develops strategic communication channels to extend Central’s visibility, participation, and reach. 

Please contact Mary-Catherine if you have any questions related to Central’s communications and development efforts.

Prior to working at Central, Mary-Catherine spent five years working in development for Mannes College of Music and Parsons School of Design. Mary-Catherine graduated with a Master of Music degree in bassoon performance from Mannes College of Music in New York City and a Bachelor of Music degree from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Mary-Catherine met her husband, Austin, at Furman University where he studied Accounting and subsequently received a Master of Science in Accountancy from Wake Forest University. Mary-Catherine and Austin have two daughters, Hayden and Cate.

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Leila Bragg

Director of Children's Ministry

lbragg@centralchurchnyc.org
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Leila joined Central's staff in June 2019 as the Director of Children's Ministry where she supports parents in the spiritual nurture and care of their children so that they might place their trust in Jesus, grow in their knowledge and love of God, and live in grateful response to his grace. Leila is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all Children's Ministry programming, managing and supporting volunteers, communicating and building relationships with families, and providing resources and opportunities for families to connect with one another and to the life of the church. 

Please contact Leila if you would like to learn more about the Children’s Ministry or if you have any questions about the nursery at Central.

Leila received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Secondary Education from Taylor University in 2019. During her four years at Taylor, she developed a passion for children and discipleship, and she devoted time to working as an elementary teacher, a discipleship assistant, and an admissions representative. While studying at Taylor, Leila met her husband Micah who is also a staff member at Central and serves as the Director of Youth Ministry.

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Lauren Brown

Director of Community Formation and Spiritual Care

lbrown@centralchurchnyc.org
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As the Director of Community Formation and Spiritual Care, Lauren oversees Central’s Community Groups and supports the Community Group leaders by providing leadership training, prayer, and encouragement. She also helps people identify the Community Group that is best-suited for them. Lauren leads the Tuesday morning Women’s Bible Study, and she makes herself available to meet with the women of Central for prayer and spiritual support. Lauren enjoys connecting with women who are new to Central and delights to share with them all the many ways they can become involved in the life of the church. 

Please contact Lauren if you are new to Central and would like to learn more about how to get involved, if you are in need of spiritual care or interested in discussing matters of faith, or if you have questions about Community Groups or the Women’s Ministry. 

Lauren and her husband, Kevin, have lived in New York City since 2015. They have three adult daughters, Emma, Blake and Lillian, who all live in New York.

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Twaambo Moyo

Director of Mission and Outreach

tmoyo@centralchurchnyc.org
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Twaambo Moyo is the Director of Mission and Outreach at Central and is responsible for equipping members of the Central community to participate in God’s mission to the world around us. Twaambo mobilizes and trains volunteers and coordinates with Central’s ministry partners, including the Bowery Mission, Safe Families for Children, and Reading Buddies, to serve friends and neighbors in the city. Twaambo also leads Central's College Ministry, which seeks to cultivate a strong community of students who are committed to encouraging one another to grow in their faith as they strive to explore and follow Jesus during their college years. Twaambo also supports the Sunday Service Teams by promoting a welcoming atmosphere and reaching out to new visitors. Twaambo enjoys connecting with newcomers to help them get involved in the life of the church. 

Please contact Twaambo if you are new to Central and would like to become more involved in the life of the church, if you have questions about the College Ministry, or if you would like to serve on one of our Sunday Service Teams or with one of our Ministry Partners, such as the Bowery Mission, Safe Families for Children, or Reading Buddies.

Twaambo was born in Zambia and moved to the United States as a teenager in 2008. He subsequently graduated from the City University of New York at Queen's College with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. Twaambo currently participates in City to City’s training program in urban ministry while pursuing a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies through Reformed Theological Seminary. Twaambo and his wife, Candice, live in Queens.

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Parmida Schahhosseini

Communications Manager

pscha@centralchurchnyc.org
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Parmida Schahhosseini is the Communications Manager at Central where she manages Central’s various communications platforms including the website, app, social media, and print materials. She also collaborates with ministry directors to help plan and communicate the events and initiatives taking place at the church. In addition, Parmida provides support for one-off special campaigns and oversees communications for the Central Chamber Series. 

Please contact Parmida if you have any questions related to upcoming events, ministry communications, and initiatives taking place at the church.

Prior to working at Central, Parmida spent six years at various public relations agencies where she supported global corporate communications campaigns for technology and financial services firms, led the execution of media relations programs, spearheaded executive visibility programs for C-suite executives, and produced social media content for various Fortune 500 clients and nonprofits. Parmida received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, Public Relations and New Media from Baylor University.

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Andrew Smith

Program Director

asmith@resoundproject.org
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Andrew Smith is the Program Director of Resound Project and directly oversees the Emerging Leaders Programs. He is responsible for establishing relationships with key seminaries as we seek to recruit new candidates, in addition to providing direction to candidates through the application process. Andrew develops and implements the curriculum for the Emerging Leaders Programs and offers ongoing training, encouragement, and support to all residents and interns on a regular basis. 

Please contact Andrew if you would like to learn more about Resound Project and its various initiatives including the Emerging Leaders Programs for college students, prospective and current seminary students, and seminary graduates.

Prior to joining Resound Project, Andrew served as the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square in Pennsylvania for 14 years. Andrew has ministered in Peabody, Massachusetts; Portrush, Northern Ireland; and Dublin, Ireland. After graduating from Middlebury College in Vermont, he trained for ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. Andrew grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland and lived in the United States for 12 years (Alaska, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts) before returning to live in Ireland from 1996-2008. He is married to Tara and they have two grown children, Fiona (married to Randall and living in Boston) and Duncan (living in Scotland).

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Abhishikth Babu

Pastoral Resident

ababu@centralchurchnyc.org
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Abhishikth Babu is a Pastoral Resident at Central through the Emerging Leaders program of Resound Project. He assists in the formation, development, and oversight of Community Groups. In addition, Abhishikth meets with newcomers to help them find their place within the church and incorporate them into the life of Central. 

Please contact Abhishkth if you are new to Central and would like to get more involved in the life of the church or if you have questions about Community Groups. 

Originally from Bangalore, India, Abhishikth received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Devaraj Urs College of Nursing, and Master of Divinity degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. Abhishikth has most recently served as the interim pastor of Grace Bible Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. Before moving to the United States, Abhishikth worked for ten years as neuro-surgical intensive care unit, and psychiatric care nurse.