The Rev. Pedro Lara | Called to Serve

Preaching as a Seminarian in 2016

My Journey to Ministry

When did you first feel called to ministry?

The desire to serve the Lord has been with me since I was young. I loved helping my dad (he and, more recently, my mom are pastors) on Sundays, in Wednesday prayer services, and Bible studies. That early love for ministry gradually became a clearer calling around 2012, when Gloria and I started the first youth group at the church plant my parents were leading. As we ministered to the youth, being present in their lives, and seeing the Lord form them and us as leaders, I felt a deeper and clearer call to continue to serve the Lord in this way.

What was one of the most significant moments that confirmed your calling?

One significant moment came through a vivid dream. In the dream, I saw a small shepherd’s staff and a voice said that “it was time”. At the time, I brushed it off as just a dream, but looking back, it occurred during a period when I felt uncertain about actually going into ministry. That dream didn’t answer every question I was wrestling with, but it encouraged me to take the step to start the discernment process. It certainly helped me get through seminary and all the interviews we had to do, and I still treasure having this dream that motivated me to take the first step.

What excites you most about serving at Church of the Holy Apostles?

What excites me most about serving at COTHA is the opportunity to join you in living out the Gospel as a church and building a wonderful community. I am deeply grateful and look forward to seeing how the Lord will continue to use COTHA and all its gifts to bless others in the years to come.

How can we pray for you during this transition?

• Season of peace as our time in Wisconsin comes to an end, and we say bye to good, longtime friends.

• Endurance as the school year ends, packing and moving.

• That we have our housing situation set up and ready.

• For blessing as our family enters a new season, especially for the girls as they go to a new school, and for new friends.

See y'all soon!

In Christ,

Pedro