Efrain attended a Catholic school and was heavily involved in church activities. As a young man he ran a youth retreat program for the Catholic Youth Organization in New York City.
On May 4, 1991, he visited Iglesia Sion Pentecostal, a small Spanish Pentecostal church in the South Bronx. It was here that Efrain dedicated his life to Christ. He soon became the English Sunday School Teacher and Youth Director.
In 1993 E began to write lyrics given to him during prayer. Later, he began to match the lyrics to classic secular hip hop beats. As Brother E, Efrain became a part of the Gospel Hip Hop scene in NYC.
Beginning in June 1993, Efrain, under the name Brother E. He formed a ministry called Power & Dominion, recruiting teens from his church and forming a band that ministered in the Tri-State area. Since 1993 he has seen thousands come to Christ through Gospel Hip-Hop.
Brother E was also a major contributor to the Storytellas ministry at Crossroads Tabernacle under Rev. Joseph Henry Cortese, which encompasses music, rap, dance, drama, comedy and multi-media in evangelistic efforts. It was during his time with the Storytellas when Efrain met his wife, Erika. They were joined on August 16, 2003.
In 2008, Efrain, Erika and a dedicated core team planted The Elements Church in the Bronx. The mission statement reads: Leading the urban culture to Christ by cultivating relationship. Elements Church is affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Efrain is also the father of Jason Noel and Isabel Rose Alicea.
Marina is an educator in the poorest school district in the USA, the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. Marina inspires children every day to learn, love, and live with respect and dignity, while giving the priceless and powerful gift of reading, as a reading recovery specialist. Marina loves the Lord, has a passion for God’s Word, and for ministry. Her experience growing up in the Bronx, excelling in academics, and athletics, all lend to her unique perspective and allow for a fresh take on the holy scriptures.
Randy is a Hip Hop artist, poet/writer, and educator. Randy is the founder of Jesus Peace Ministry, a non-profit organization that serves the community primarily by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music, as well as by providing food, clothing, and resources to those in need. JP Ministry serves in NYC.
Randy & Marina are the parents of five beautiful children.
Erika Alicea - Chlidren's Church Director
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Erika Alicea is one of many here at Elements who is a testimony to this Bible verse. Erika grew up in the Children’s ministry at Crossroads Tabernacle and, as a teen, became a helper in Sunday School. After rededicating her life to the Lord in 1999, she soon became a Sunday School teacher herself and has been serving in this capacity ever since. Erika is also a public school teacher with a BS in Elementary Education and a MS in Education.
"It is the desire of the Sharing is Caring Children’s Ministry to raise our children knowing the Gospel so they may have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, regardless of age, and that they in turn may be a light to their families and friends."
Celeste Wallace - Administration
Celeste found the Lord at the age of 24 through a book that was recommended by a college friend. She has been serving Him faithfully ever since.She was born in the Bronx and was raised in upstate New York and Western Massachusetts . Celeste returned to the city to finish her education and graduated from Hunter College with a BA in Sociology. Celeste says, “I’ve always had a heart for the BX and its people.”
1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve. And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. God works in all of us in everything we do. Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person, for the common good.” Celeste truly believes there are no small tasks in God’s kingdom and that includes the day to day operations of a church.
