A Washington state Foursquare pastor who helped launch a youth camp with his wife and recently began mentoring young leaders nationwide died Sunday after collapsing during the Portland Marathon, days before his 25th birthday.
Treyton “Trey” Lara, 24, collapsed near mile 20 after months of training. His wife, Audrey Shin-Lara, told Fox 12 Oregon that doctors said he went into cardiac arrest. KGW reported, citing a family fundraiser, that he died at a hospital surrounded by his wife and family.
Audrey had been cheering him along the course. Shortly before his collapse, he stopped to kiss her.
“He ran over and was able to smile and give me a kiss, and then he ran off, and he looked good,” she told Fox 12.
Audrey then drove to the finish line, where friends and family were gathering to celebrate. Instead, she received a call from her mother-in-law telling her that CPR was being performed, according to KGW.
Audrey said her husband had no known underlying medical issues.
“The grief is coming in waves where one moment it still doesn’t feel real where we’re like I’m just gonna wake up, and he’s gonna be over there,” she told Fox 12.
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Lara’s life and ministry had deep roots in the Foursquare Church. His parents, Omar and Misty Lara, serve as associate district supervisors for the denomination’s Northwest District.
He and Audrey served for two and a half years as youth pastors at Eastside Church in Bothell, Washington. In August, he transitioned into a national Foursquare role focused on church planting and supporting young leaders and next-generation pastors. He was in Oregon to attend and speak at the Northwest Foursquare Leader Conference.
“He was a young leader. He was only 24, but he was already a pastor,” Kari Ahearn told KGW.
Ahearn said his recent work involved developing young leaders’ potential, providing mentorship and creating opportunities for them across the country.
Trey and Audrey also launched Camp Genesis this past summer at the same location where they first met. Audrey was 12 when they met at summer camp, and the couple had been married nearly five years.
“It was called Camp Genesis and it was just this dream that he had,” Audrey told KGW.
Alongside his ministry, Lara enjoyed cooking, photography, coffee and films. Audrey remembered his humor, his ability to make friends and his devotion to those closest to him.
“Besides loving Jesus, he loved his friends and family,” she told Fox 12.
A GoFundMe is helping Audrey and the Lara family with funeral and burial expenses, hospital bills and other costs. Organizers also asked supporters to continue praying for the family.
Amid her grief, Audrey expressed hope that their separation would not be permanent.
“He’s the love of my life, always will be. And we’ll see him again,” she told Fox 12.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
