Board of Directors

Santiago I. Juncadella Aguirre
President

Originally from Managua, Nicaragua, Mr. Juncadella came to the USA with his family in the late 1980s escaping the Sandinista –Contra war in Nicaragua. He has been the pastor of La Luz de Cristo Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance located in Charlotte since 1988. Mr. Juncadella received his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from ENEF (Escuela Nacional de Educacion Fisica) in Mexico city, Mexico. He received a master’s degree in business administration from INCAE (Instituto Centroamericano de Administracion de Empresas). There he also received special training in communications and team leadership. Mr. Juncadella also has a degree in social work with concentrations on leadership, team work, human relations and the dynamics of group communications from the University Rafael Landivar in Guatemala. He served as the national director of community development for the Evangelical Center for development (CEPAD- Centro Evangelico para el Desarrollo) in Nicaragua from 1973-1980. He also served as the director of human resources for the Nacional treasury department in Nicaragua from 1984-1987. He has great plans and vision for El Empalme de Boaco. He has served as president since September 2007.

Joliette Jimenez de Juncadella, J.D.
Vice President

Dr. J. Juncadella received her degree in Law from the University of Central America (UCA) in Managua Nicaragua in 1972. She worked as a commercial lawyer in Nicaragua until 1986 representing several American companies including United Free Company, Casa Cross, and the Baptist Convention among others. She received a master’s degree in business administration from INCAE in 1985 with concentrations in project development and management. After moving to the USA in 1988, she developed and became the editor in chief of the first Spanish newspaper in Charlotte, NC, El Mundo Hispano from 1991 -1996. She has been working side by side with her husband Santiago Juncadella in the ministry of La Luz de Cristo church in Charlotte, NC.  She serves currently as the general administrator of the ministry in Nicaragua.

Beatriz E. Juncadella, MD
Secretary /Medical Director

Dr. Bea, as she likes to be called, is a private pediatrician in Thomasville, NC. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from Guilford College in 1997. She attended Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. She completed her internship and residency in Pediatrics at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in 2005. For the past four years, she has led three medical mission teams to Jinja, Uganda and dozens of trips to Empalme de Boaco, Nicaragua.  She is passionate about missions and loves to work with kids.  She leads the mission teams every 6 months to Empalme de Boaco, Nicaragua.  She is married to Mohsen K. Soltani and has two children.

Susan Baron
Treasurer

Susan has a gift of administration.  She felt called by God to help with La Luz de Cristo Ministries on the September 2008 mission trip.  She is a member of Grace Community Church in Greensboro, NC.   Susan has been going to Nicaragua since 2008.

Eric Welch
Support Staff

Eric is currently working for MetLife as an accountant. He received his Bachelor degree in Accounting from Guilford College in May 2006. During his years at Guilford college he was involved in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and served as president. He is actively involved in his local church and loves to work with the youth.

Joliette Emma Welch
Support Staff/Education Program Director

Emma is currently working for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools as an ESL Teacher (English as a Second Language) at Oakhurst Elementary. She developed and built the ESL program at Oakhurst. She teaches and oversees over 80 students K-5th grade in various levels. She has worked as a private therapist at A Bridge to Learning in Greensboro, NC. Emma received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology and Spanish Literature from Guilford College in May 2004.  Emma has been volunteering at La Luz de Cristo since 1990 in the children ministry, as a youth leader and worship leader. She has a passion for troubled youth and loves to work with the Latino population.

Mary Elizabeth Moore
Support Staff/Grace Community Church Liason

Beth, as she is known, is an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher in the Guilford County School System and has been involved with La Luz de Cristo Ministries since 2008.  She attends Grace Community Church and loves to work with less fortunate children.  Beth has traveled to Empalme de Boaco on multiple occasions and has led our Vacation Bible School several times.

Gary Lance
Support staff

Mr. Lance has been a faithful member of his local church and retired tax auditor.  He has been involved with La Luz de Cristo since his first visit to Empalme de Boaco in June of 2012.  He is married to Mrs. Janet Lance and together they have two adult children Brenda Lance and Dr. Eric Lance who both have traveled to Nicaragua with La Luz de Cristo on multiple occasions.