Our Pastor

Rev. Monica F. DaCosta is a multifaceted leader, ecumenical preacher, inspiring educator, serving as the pastor of Christ’s First Presbyterian Church in Hempstead, NY. Her spiritual journey is characterized by deep faith, profound commitment to service, and a heart to share the Gospel to all people in all places.

Rev. DaCosta’s commitment to the Lord’s work led her to officially accept the Lord’s call at Agape Cathedral where she was licensed to preach and served the church in diverse capacities including executive assistant to the late Bishop David C. Wallace for 22 years.  Rev. DaCosta continued to grow in ministry by a post-graduate fellowship at The Church of the Open Door in Brooklyn, NY, under the esteemed leadership of Rev. Dr. Mark V.C. Taylor. On February 22, 2019, Rev. Dr. Taylor ordained Reverend DaCosta, reaffirming her unwavering dedication to serving God’s people and His Church. She was then led to serve at Grace United Methodist Church in St. Albans, NY where she served as Associate Pastor with oversight for the Young Adult Ministry, under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Chermain Lashley.

In addition to an impressive ministerial journey, Rev. DaCosta works in the public sector, currently as the Chief Officer of Operations Training for the MTA, New York City Transit.  Rev. DaCosta’s life and career are marked by her passion for leadership development and youth empowerment. Rev. DaCosta has been blessed to speak at both secular and sacred spaces including Medgar Evers College, Youth Retreats and Women Retreats.

Rev. DaCosta holds a Master of Divinity Cum Laude from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, NJ and as a National Urban Fellow, she earned a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College of the City University of New York. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Sociology and Anthropology from Pace University, NYC and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. 

Post-COVID Pastor Monica has renewed and restored Christ ‘s First Presbyterian Church vitality with worship at the center of our relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ!  Exciting things are happening in the Men’s Ministry, in the Women’s Ministry, and Pastor Monica’s vision for Children’s Church is manifesting weekly.  Her life stands as a living testament to the profound love of God, as captured in her cherished scripture, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us …. “1 John 4:10