Our Executive Director and co-founder for LAMA and La Montaña Christian camps in Costa Rica, is Joe Pent. Together with his wife Lori, they have been working to bring the gospel to the youth of Latin America. With energy, leadership, and an ease with youth, he provides both organizational and spiritual guidance to the camp, its campers, and staff. Known for his quick-wit and commitment to see the Kingdom expand, he has been co-laboring with local and international Latin American pastoral staff in inviting them to learn about La Montaña Christian Camps ministry model. Born into ministry in Costa Rica, he was schooled in the US, knowing that someday he would go into full-time missionary work. After graduating in aviation from Le Tourneau University, Joe realized that he didn’t want to fly missionaries into their field of service, but instead wanted to be the missionary on the ground. He returned to study and eventually graduated from Masters College with a degree in Biblical Studies with minors in Youth Ministry and Biblical Counseling. Joe married the woman of his dreams, Lori on July 22, 1989 and has 3 children (Matthew, Lindsey and Joshua). Joe worked in youth ministry for 12 years in California before receiving the call with his wife, Lori to move to Costa Rica to direct La Montaña Christian Camps.
Mana and Ana are the passionate and dedicated directors of La Montaña Christian Camps in Costa Rica. Together, they lead a dynamic team of volunteers and oversee the day-to-day operations of the camp, ensuring that each camper has an unforgettable and transformative experience. Their leadership is rooted in a deep love for the outdoors, a strong Christian faith, and a commitment to building a supportive, nurturing environment for both staff and campers alike.
Mana and Ana’s shared vision for the camp is one of community, growth, and service, where individuals are encouraged to deepen their relationships with God and with each other. As parents to two children, Elisa and Noah, they also bring a family-centered perspective to the camp, balancing their professional roles with a loving, hands-on approach to raising their own kids in the camp environment. When not guiding the camp’s activities or mentoring volunteers, Ana and Mana enjoy spending quality time with their children, exploring the beautiful Costa Rican landscapes, and creating lifelong memories for their family and the camp community. Their commitment to fostering a warm, safe, and faith-driven space is the heart of La Montaña Christian Camps, and they are honored to see the camp continue to thrive year after year.
Lincoln and Katie Brackett are a couple whose passion is discipleship and equipping the next generation to walk boldly in their faith. With a heart for both mentorship and missions, they believe that when young people are set on fire for Jesus, they can transform communities and influence the world for His glory. At La Montaña Christian Camps, Lincoln and Katie serve as the bridge between the camp and groups from the United States—welcoming, guiding, and helping each team and intern step into a life-changing experience. Together, they oversee the summer internship program, walking alongside college students as they grow in their calling, deepen their relationship with God, and step out of their comfort zones in powerful ways.
They are passionate about creating spaces where interns can form lifelong friendships, be stretched in their leadership and faith, and discover how God can use their unique gifts for Kingdom impact. Whether through leading devotionals, mentoring one-on-one, or facilitating cross-cultural ministry, the Bracketts are committed to seeing each intern’s life transformed. Lincoln and Katie are already praying expectantly for this year’s interns and believe God has incredible plans in store. They can’t wait to witness all the ways He will move and to celebrate the unforgettable memories and spiritual breakthroughs that will come!
Joe & Clara Pent are the founders of LAMA and La Montaña. Joe Pent Sr. founded LAMA with his wife Clara. Joe was born in Pucallpa, Peru in 1935 of missionary parents. He spent his first 13 years in Iquitos, one of the main port cities on the Amazon River before moving to the US for school. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a major in Bible in 1957 and received a B.A. degree from Trinity International University in 1963. He married his wife Clara in 1959. After serving as Youth Pastor and Christian Education Director in a Chicago church for two years they were appointed by the Latin America Mission to Costa Rica in 1963 for ministry in youth evangelism and discipleship. Latin America Assistance was founded 1976 with Joe as Executive Director. In 1979 co-founded a Christian youth movement called JUVENTUD NUEVA (NEW YOUTH), a barrio outreach ministry promoting aggressive evangelism and radical discipleship among teens, which continues under national leadership today. In 1998 construction of La Montana Christian Camps began and in 2001 the camp initiated its ministry to the youth of Costa Rica. We miss Joe now as he has graduated to heaven in May of 2023.
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