Jack Melvin
Jack Melvin
SAMS Role: Missionary
Home Church: Christ the Redeemer, Danvers, Massachusetts, and Santa Maria de los Angeles, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Starting Year with SAMS: 2012
Calling to Ministry: In 2005 my family went on vacation in Mexico. While I was there, we spent time at a luxury hotel in Puerto Vallarta. I remember going to breakfast. We had to cross a bridge from our lodgings to reach a beautiful modern pavilion. As we crossed, I looked down. There was a family living under the bridge, poorly dressed, and washing their clothes in a dirty river. This image of poverty remained in my mind for the rest of the trip. It stood in sharp contrast to the luxury of our hotel. I was reminded of Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus. “Who is at your gate?” My response to Jesus’ question was to go into the mission field.
Ministry Mission: My mission is twofold: 1) To work with the Diocese of Honduras in its program of evangelism and outreach to the poor. I offer my skills as an architect and a former builder. I provide visions of the future in new designs for churches, schools, and low-income housing. Beyond that, I provide consultation on the construction of these projects. 2) To serve the poor through the Ministry of Presence. This ministry provides education for the neediest of children, so that when they are adults they can earn more income than their parents. In this way, they will be able to lift their family out of poverty. The ministry also helps the parents in their daily struggles with medical needs, emergency funds, pastoral counseling, and evangelism.
Personal Points of Interest: My interests are many. I’m an avid reader, enjoying books about history, philosophy, contemplation, and general fiction. I grew up on the coast in New England, so I love all things about the sea – beaches, sailing, swimming, and kayaking.
Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.