April 26, 2011 – Mexico City, Mexico… Benjamin Garcia/IAD
The Doulos Pathfinder Club, Inter-American’s largest club from Montemorelos University Church, paid tribute to Pastor Eliezer Melendez last Friday at the 3rd territory-wide camporee in Mexico City. Pastor Melendez was a founder of the Doulos Club and youth pastor of Montemorelos University Church.
During the tribute, Juan Perez, a former director of the Doulos Club, thanked Pastor Melendez on behalf of the group.
“We are very thankful for the vision you had to create the club in the 1970s,” said Perez. He added that Pastor Melendez also “committed himself to continue holding up the flame of the Pathfinder spirit in Montemorelos University Church through this club.” Two members of the club presented Pastor Melendez with a special T-shirt. He and his wife of 53 years, Gloria, were also pinned as honorary alumni graduates of Montemorelos University.
“There are no words to express what I have in my heart and mind, because we only stayed at the university for two years, but they were wonderful years,” said Mrs. Melendez. She added that their children also enjoyed their time there.
A native of Puerto Rico, Pastor Melendez graduated from Colegio Adventista de las Antillas in Cuba and from Andrews University in Michigan, the United States. He has worked as a youth pastor and primary school teacher. Later on, he became director of the youth, education and family life departments in the Puerto Rico Conference, and following that he filled the same position at the Antillean Union.
In 1970, Pastor Melendez was called to serve in the Mexican Union as youth, education, and family life director until 1978. From there he moved to Montemorelos University as the first youth pastor of the university church. In the late 1970s he was appointed to the presidency of the Mexican Union but declined in order to continue in his work as youth pastor. It was during that time that the Doulos Pathfinder Club was created. Initially the club’s name was “León Azteca.” Later, it was renamed Doulos, a Greek word meaning “servant.”
In 1980, Melendez returned to Antillean Union as youth and family life director. He held that position until 1998 when he was appointed youth director for the Inter-American Division (IAD), where he retired in 2001. He said his passion has always been, and always will be, to work for the young people of the church. He appealed to each one gathered to continue getting ready for the camporee that will take place in heaven.
“Jesus is there,” he said. “He is our Master Guide.”
Pastor Melendez has attended 962 youth camporees.
Pastor Hiram Ruiz, the current youth pastor of Montemorelos University Church, thanked God for Pastor and Gloria Melendez and for the inspiration and legacy they left. He also expressed gratitude for being a link in the chain they began.
Alba de Collins, public relations director of Montemorelos University Church, presented a token to Pastor and Mrs. Melendez on behalf of the university. Collins reminisced on the time she and her now husband took the Doulos Club to the first territory-wide camporee in 1983 in Oaxtepec, Mexico. ”We love you very much and will never forget you in Mexico,” Collins said to Pastor and Mrs. Melendez.
In honor of Pastor Melendez and his legacy in Mexico, the camporee’s general meeting site at Ciudad Deportiva was named “Eliezer Melendez Auditorium” during the five-day event.
