Joel and Vivian live in Baeza, Spain. They collaborate with the church of Ubeda doing evangelism, discipling, encouraging and teaching for believers in the local church. Joel participates with Red Cross as doctor, making contacts and sharing life.

Evangelism, discipleship, and leader formation in Spain

The Lara family was involved in ministry for more than  20 years. Joel received a degree in Theology from the Central American Theological Seminary (SETECA) in 1995. As a medical doctor, Joel worked with missionary teams from the United States. He also worked with different churches from Guatemala doing medical work and took part in evangelistic campaigns in poor areas of the country.

Vivian graduated with a degree in elementary education and also assisted Joel as a nurse. Together they had the opportunity to serve their church El Camino in Guatemala, where Joel was an assistant pastor for three years.
In 1999 Joel and Vivian along with their 2 youngest children, went to Argentina with Word of Life. In 2000 they planted a church in Escuintla, Guatemala, where Joel pastored for seven years.

The Laras are now serving in Spain working in evangelism, discipleship, leader formation and church planting. Both are involved with the community of Baeza, as a part of a multinational church planting team.