Minister Erika N. McLaurin was born in East Chicago, Indiana, to Evangelist Wendy and Thomas McLaurin. She graduated from Oral Roberts in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. She gave her life to the Lord at Oral Roberts University and was baptized in the Holy Spirit. In 2000, Erika accepted her calling into the ministry under the outstanding leadership of Pastor Donald Hubbard at the Church of the Living God Temple 332. Under Pastor Hubbard’s leadership, she obtained her minister’s license and worked with the Youth and Women’s ministry.

In January 2004, she transitioned to New Wineskin Ministries under the leadership of Apostle Byron Johnson. In February 2007, she enrolled in the New Wineskin Ministries International School of Ministry and was ordained in September 2007. While in school, God laid it on her heart to begin the “Master’s Hand Ministry. ” On June 09, 2007, she held her first women’s bible study class. In March 2008, she was invited to serve on the New Wineskin Ministries Council of Elders. In July of 2008, she was appointed by Apostle Byron Johnson and Senior Pastor Mark Brown as the Director of the New Wineskin International School of Ministry. In February 2011, she was installed as the Associate Pastor of New Wineskin Ministries. In May 2011, she graduated from Martin University with her Master of Arts degree in Urban Ministry. In May 2016, she graduated from Southern Theological Institute of Biblical Studies with her Master’s in Pastoral Care and Counseling. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Church Leadership and Management.

In May 2015, Pastor Erika founded the McLaurin Center for Emerging Leadership.

She worked for 12 years as the operational manager for New Wineskin Ministries, serving on the advisory board and finance council and overseeing the organizational leaders.

While at New Wineskin Ministries, she developed a leadership training module and was an integral part of the redevelopment of the ministerial procedures, protocol, and curriculum for their school of ministry.

In April of 2021, she transitioned to Cathedral of Praise COGIC in Nashville, Tennessee, under the leadership of Bishop Jerry Maynard. Currently, she is the Director of the Empowerment Institute.

In July of 2023, she received her Evangelist Missionary License from the Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop Jerry L. Maynard.

Erika has written three books, The Be-attitudes for Leaders, To Thee O Lord a Surrendered Yes! and Coffee with the Master devotional. She is currently working on two more books. One book is The Secret of the Pulpit, which deals with pastoral depression and burnout, and the other is the Twenty-Third Psalms for Leaders, which should be released in the spring of 2024.

Erika has a burden to help leaders of all ages recognize and reach their ministry purpose and potential through mentorship.

Erika has two beautiful and anointed daughters, Arielle D. Mclaurin and Paige M. Kimbrew.