Memorial fund for minister killed in El Salvador
Some of you have asked how you can help the family of Antonio Lara. The longtime minister and church leader was murdered in the doorway of the church he served in El Salvador April 25. Last week I posted some reflections of my visit with brother Lara in 2004.
Antonio and Milagro Lara (Photo provided by Alexander Castellanos)
The High Pointe Church of Christ in McKinney, Texas, is setting up a fund for Lara’s family — his widow, Milagro, daughter Cindi and son Leo. Lara also is survived by his mother, mother-in-law and several extended family members.
Contributions 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.)
Paul Newhouse, High Pointe’s evangelism coordinator, shared some of brother Lara’s history with me today:
Although Antonio first enjoyed a secular career, he was passionate about his Christian life, serving the La Catorce congregation in San Miguel as a deacon and attending a weekend preacher training school in San Salvador. After graduation from the training school and leaving his secular career, he agreed in 2002 to begin serving the small rural congregation of El Platanar as preacher.
Under his leadership, hard work and example, the congregation more than quadrupled in size. Classrooms were added and the church ministered to both adults and children of the community. His wife was instrumental in teaching children’s classes and developing projects for them. Antonio enrolled several children in a program to assist them in their education, and also arranged for transportation for a hearing-impaired child to attend a special school in San Miguel. He often provided transportation for church members as well.
Several High Pointe members were privileged to come to know and love Antonio in the last 15 years. He was truly a servant of the Lord and will be sorely missed by his family and friends, his Christian brothers and sisters, and others who were privileged to know him.
