El Salvador minister killed outside church

Christians in El Salvador and across Central America are mourning the death of Antonio Lara. The longtime preacher and church leader was gunned down in the doorway of the church where he served as minister.
Lara, 59, died April 25 during Sunday morning worship service at the El Platanar Church of Christ in San Miguel, El Salvador. Lara left the service momentarily to get a drink of water.
A man wearing a long-sleeved, plaid shirt and a hat apparently was waiting for Lara at the door, according to police.
The man shot Lara at least seven times with a .38-caliber pistol and fled in a vehicle, police said.
Inside the building, church members were praying when they heard the gunshots.
“We all ran out in shock. Others went to find the children who were in Bible school with the preacher’s wife,” an unidentified church member told a Salvadoran news service.
Police did not comment on possible motives for the apparent assassination and, at press time, were searching for the shooter.
The day before his death, Lara had attended a meeting of church members from across the country in the capital of San Salvador, said Carlos Ingles, a Salvadoran Christian who serves as a missionary in Bogota, Colombia.
“Brother Lara was representing the church in El Platanar,” Ingles said. “He ended the meeting with a beautiful prayer.”
Ingles asked church members worldwide to pray for Lara’s wife, Milagro, and their two children.
“For us … and for the brotherhood in general, it has been very shattering news,” Ingles said.
“We know that our brother, through his faithfulness and devotion to the Lord, now enjoys a better place than we do.”
Jon Nelson lived with Lara and his family for nearly two years while serving as a missionary in El Salvador.
“Antonio and his family did more than just invite me into their home. They invited me into their heart and allowed me to become part of their family,” said Nelson, who now lives in the Dallas area.
“Antonio truly had a servant heart,” Nelson said. “In situations where most people complained and grumbled, Antonio smiled and volunteered. He was always working behind the scenes to make sure that the difficult and unpleasant jobs were taken care of.
“What most people don’t know about Antonio is how funny and witty he was. Antonio loved to make people laugh. He was the life of the party. … He was so many things to so many people.”
RELATED BLOG POST: Memories of El Salvador’s Antonio Lara
Contributions for Lara’s family may be sent to:
High Pointe Church of Christ
c/o Brian Tinsley, evangelism deacon
3201 N Central Expressway
McKinney, TX 75071
(Please note “Lara family fund” on contributions.)

• Feedback
  This is sadly a step back for our
  Missionaries in Latin America…but we
  are at war with the evil one and some
  families in Christ will have trials to overcome. We still keep the love, peace, and joy in our hearts…and pray for strength for the Lara family. We are deeply sadden hearing of this needless crime to our brother and family in Christ.

  G W Green

  Senath church of Christ

  Senath, Missouri
  USA

  May, 13 2010

  Que tragedia que alguna persona tenga el valor de disparar a una persona enfrente de la congregacion. Es una pena que existan ese tipo de personas tan violentas en este mundo que necesitan tanto a Dios. Que el Senor bendiga a la familia Lara. Estaremos orando por ellos.

  David Moreno

  Southside Church of Christ

  Salt Lake City, Utah
  USA

  May, 10 2010

  Hermana Milagros, yo y mi familia oraremos por consuelo a su alma de esta tragedia y la ausencia de su esposo. Duele conocer esta noticia entre la hermandad, pero usted cuenta con una familia grande. La Iglesia de Cristo; no dude en solicitarla.

  Arnaldo Rojas

  Tipitapa Centro

  Jinotepe, Carazo
  Nicaragua

  April, 30 2010

  I feel deeply touched by this tragic incident. If those who wholeheartedly work for God and His people could be mudered in such brutal manner, it therefore behoves us christians to always be prepared. I’m convinced this minister is welcome to a peaceful rest. We’ll keep praying for his lineage.

  Anyanya Bassey

  Campus Church of Christ, Federal University of Technology, Owerr

  Uyo, Akwa Ibom
  Nigeria

  April, 29 2010

  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. It is painful to know of the preacher’s faith and dedication and this rather unnecessary death. I pray the family will adjust and heal as the Lord gives the strength for dealing with this pain.

  Augustine Tawiah

  Bomso Church of Christ

  Kumasi, Ghana
  Ghana

  April, 28 2010

  What a tragedy for the Lara family & God’s church family.
  Our prayers cry out for God to console & comfort them as only He truly knows how. Evil is bountiful, but God’s goodness is boundless! May from this terrible tragedy bring forth the precious fruit of God’s caring mercy & love!

  Larry Green & Tim Rodriguez Families

  Lake Havasu City Church of Christ

  Lake Havasu City , Arizona
  USA

  April, 28 2010

  Please add my voice to the chorus of Christians around the world who morn the passing of our brother Lara. I am confident that the Reunion of diverse people from across oceans and generations will be sweet!

  Larry Henderson

  Highland church of Christ

  Abilene, Texas
  USA

  April, 28 2010

  My prayers are with you…May God our holy Father in heaven comfort and strengthen you all in this tribulation and may His will continue to be done at the El Platanar church. In Jesus Christ name. Amen.

  Sister Terri

  Bright Angel church of Christ

  las vegas, NV
  USA

  April, 28 2010

  I am saddened to read how someone that does so much good in a community is killed senselessly. Our prayers are with you as we bring you as a family and Church before our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We will continue to bring the Church before our God – and we know God has heard them already.

  Gerhard van Wyk

  C of C – Centurion

  Pretoria, Gauteng
  South Africa

  April, 28 2010

  It sad news to hear and we pray for the wife and the children of Antonio Lara. May God bless them and the church there. May God strengthen the church there. It is an evidence that the church is doing marvelous work in San Miguel. We are praying for your safety. God bless you richly and keep you all safe in His mighty arm.

  Krishna Gopal Khadgee

  Kamal Pokhari church of Christ

  Kathmandu, Nepal
  Nepal

  April, 28 2010

  Our heartfelt condolences to Lara’s family. It is very sad to hear of such acts especially when they happen in the house of worship. All things happen for good to those who love Him. The family and the church are the prayers of the church in Malawi.

  Chester Kabinda

  Red Cross

  Blantyre, Blantyre
  Malawi

  April, 28 2010

  My deepest condolences to the family of Bro. Lara. I didn’t know this brother, but I can certainly offer up prayers to the Throne of Grace on behalf of his family. I to am a minister so i will let my congregation know of this tragedy and we will PRAY! God Bless his family!

  Bro. Kevin Jones

  National City Church of Christ

  San Diego, Ca
  USA

  April, 28 2010

  The Lara family: you have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one Bro. Antonio Lara. I will keep you all in my prayers along with the church family. May God continue to bless and keep you in his care.

  Sherry Davis

  Mountainview Church of Christ Dallas, TX

  Arlington, TX
  USA

  April, 27 2010

  Mis sentidas condolencias a la familia del hermano. Oramos aqui con los hermanos que Dios les bendiga a ustedes y a los hermanos de alli. solo recuerden … Las puertas del Hades No prevaleceran contra ella. Dios Bendiga a su familia y nuestro hermano este en descanso de su trabajo aqui en la tierra.

  David Dorantes

  Hoover Church of Christ/ Iglesia de Cristo

  Hoover, Alabama
  USA

  April, 27 2010

  I was deeply saddened to learn of this news. Prayers to the family of this minister and the congregation for the terror which they have seen. In Christian Love, Judi

  Judi L Doty Tarrant

  effingham church of christ

  effingham, illinois
  usa

  April, 27 2010

  I would like to know if there is a way to help the family. They are in our prayers and we would love to find out of an immediate need or be able to consider helping them for a period. Please let us know who to contact.
  God bless. James 1:27

  Carlos Preciado Trevino

  Sixth Street Church of Christ

  Pompano beach, Florida
  USA

  April, 27 2010

  It’s my prayer that this senseless act of terror will not accomplish what Satan intended but will instead spur greater faithfulness and service in that area and around the world. Our days on this earth are short, and Satan is real.

  Kim Williams

  Booneville church of Christ

  Booneville, MS
  U.S.A>

  April, 27 2010

  Mis mas sentidas consolencias a la familia del hermano Lara a su esposa e hijos. A su familia espiritual en El Platanar. Dios les de la fortaleza que necesitan en estos momentos de dolor, y la resignacion de saber que el Hno. es consolado en los brazos del Senor.

  Denia Ferguson

  Marmaduke

  Marmaduke, Arkansas
  Greene

  April, 27 2010

  It shocking to hear the death of Br. Lara! the chrches in this side of the earth are praying for his family, May God keep them and bless abundantly! rev 2:10

  D.Prakash

  church of christ

  Bidar, karnataka
  india

  April, 27 2010

  My heart goes out to the family and the Church as a whole, please know that at the period, we all grieve with you and will continue to pray for you. There is something about this year, I have never heard of so many awful things happening to the Christian before, WE ALL NEED TO STOP AND CHOSE A DAY TO FAST AND PRAY. It feels like our Fathers enemy is releasing all his forces on the Children of God, please lets pick a day, any day and join together in prayers and ask God to please protect us, the burden is getting heavy. My prayers are with all my brothers and sisters in Christ. God’s peace be with this family.

  Pamela Madu

  Church of Christ

  bartlett, TN
  U.S. A

  April, 27 2010

  May God provide arms of love to wrap around the grieving family and church of Brother Lara. I pray that his death will not be in vain but that God will provide a harvest of faith In Jesus. Sister Lara, may God give you strength each day that only He can give as you pour out your anguish to Him.

  Susan Owings

  White Station Church of Christ

  Memphis, TN
  USA

  April, 27 2010

  My friend, Antonio Lara, is now reaping the reward he worked for all his life. Antonio was a true servant leader, and his zest for the Lord was so refreshing. I have worshipped with him, Mila, Cindy and Leo at El Platenar. Antonio had a way of including us “Gringos” who were struggling to understand a word or two of the service. All of our Christian family needs to pray special healing and blessings on the church’s children and their families who are certain to be traumatized by this event. Satan has attempted to find a way to target vulnerability – but we know the “rest of the story” -GOD WINS!

  Sharon Stephens

  High Pointe Church of Christ, McKinney

  Bells, Texas
  USA

  April, 27 2010

  My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Lara family and the church in San Miguel. May the God of all comfort bring peace and comfort during this difficult time, and may He bring good things out of this tragedy.

  Katherine

  Garden Ridge Church of Christ

  Beijing, Republic of
  China

  April, 26 2010

  Our hearth felt condolonces go out to the Lara family.
  Our prayers are with the church at that place.
  God will avenge the death of His child.

  Edilfonso Rodriguez

  Norton St. Church of Christ

  Corpus Christi, Texas
  USA

  April, 26 2010

  The death of brother Antonio Lara brings to mind just how safe we have it in the USA. My heart truly is sadden and filled with pain as I read of this troubling event. We should always be mindful of our brothers and sisters in Christ who work and worship in places that such an event may take place. Let us remember this family in our prayers, not just now, always.

  Frank R. Williams

  Barnes church of Christ, Okla.City

  Seminole, Oklahoma
  USA

  April, 26 2010

  My thought and prayers go out to Bro. Lara’s wife, children and church family … for I am certain a man after God’s own heart has gained eternal life in heaven.

  Sis. Scarlet Vasquez

  N. Westnedge Church of Christ

  Kalamazoo, MI
  Unites States

  April, 26 2010

  On behalf of the congregation, my family, and myself, I would like to express sincere condolences to the wife, children and all the brethren in El Salvador at this painful time.
  May the God of consolation and all comfort bear you in this situation.

  Lewis Romain

  Church of Christ, Portsmouth

  Portsmouth, West Indies
  Dominica

  April, 26 2010

  Sorry to hear this news and know the unfortunate thing that happened to our brother Lara. We share the pain felt by the Church of Christ in San Miguel, El Salvador. Pray for the family of sisters and brothers of the congregation, for the Lord of strength, and move forward in the fight and that this does not lead to more violent situations.
  God bless.
  Atte. Carlos Garcia
  Church of Christ
  Matamoros City, Mx

  Carlos Garcia

  Quinta Campestre

  Matamoros, Tamaulipas
  Mexico

  April, 26 2010

  Very sad to hear of the death of Antonio Lara. Thank you for reporting this news so quickly. We just canceled our trip to Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday morning because of the violence that took place at the Holiday Inn there last week.
  Blessings, Barrett

  Barrett Vanlandingham

  Fort Gibson C of C

  Fort Gibson, OK
  USA

  April, 26 2010

  My heart-felt sympathies go out to Brother Lara’s family and to my brothers and sisters of the El Platanar Church of Christ in San Miguel, El Salvador. May God bless you and help you through your grief.

  Darlene Beeler

  Farmington Church of Christ

  Prairie Grove, Arkansas
  USA

  April, 26 2010