Bishop Elizabeth Melendez
I have felt the call of God ever since I was born. My mother, Elizabeth D. Melendez, could not have children. On 1977 God used Rev. Angel Hernandez from Second Star Jacob as a vessel to lay hands on my mother and received healing. The service was held at a piece of land where the church was going to be built. At that time, it was just an empty lot it was on Poplar St in New Haven Connecticut. To my dad’s surprise the late Luis Melendez in June of 78 at Saint Rafael’s hospital, 3 minues apart, a set of 2 (twins) was born that day. Not too long after Eunice and I were born my little sister came along Merari, she is one year younger. When we arrived to Delaware from Puerto Rico Eunice and I were 9 and Merry was 8. I remember my mom and dad driving us around trying to find us a church, we lived and breathed church it was all I remember, and I thank God for my mother because of her been led by God we are here today.
I was NOT the perfect kid… I always remember my sisters and I praying in our room together worshipping God, singing to the Lord, and we would take turns preaching. We were always fitting for the mic and who was louder. If it wasn’t for my upbringing, I could not be here today testifying what God has done in my life but also in my sister lives as today we are all Pastors and I give God all the Glory! Thank you, Mom, I would have loved my dad to be here with us celebrating this great big victory! As he left with the Lord June 23, 2006. In 2002 God used Millie Sheffield to talk to me at a youth service that my sister Eunice and her husband Eliezer were youth pastors in Church of God La Senda Antigua. It was Psalms 139 that entire chapter was for me! I was going to a tough time in my life where I was running from God, and after running for many years in 2006 after my dad passed away, I got serious with the Lord I was hungry for Him. I was in a church in Norwalk for 2 years and God allowed me the privilege in working with the pastor of that church. I had no clue what God had in stored for me.
One Saturday I remember like if it was yesterday, I could not sleep! I felt the hand of God upon my life like never before, he was a heat all over my body I was standing in front of the air conditioner and it felt like it wasn’t working!!! So, I got on my needs to pray. That early morning Sunday I knew something powerful was going to happen at church that day, my pastor at the time called me and said Liz I would like for you to preach today and I said OK. When I took the part to preach two sisters walked in the church late, but one of them, I did not see her in years! Since 2002 at my sisters’ church, it was Millie Sheffield! I felt to give her a part so when she came up to speak it was all over the Lord took over and the same message, she gave me in 2002 she gave me in 2007 she also stated that I will be a pastor but pastor in his time and where he took me. God was telling me that his purpose in my life will be Fulfilled one day. So, I had to pray and ask the Lord were did he want me to go. With Millie’s help in prayer and spiritual guidance she took me to my sister’s old church La Senda Antigua Under Bishop David Dejesus, I am so thankful to God and allowing me to learn under him and working closely with him and his family for the past 5 years. In February 2013 God used Lillian Torres to give me the name Oasis as she had a dream of what my church would look like, what was more of an impact in my life was that her dream was my vision that God gave me in 2001 when I first got to Connecticut. After 11 years of trials and tribulation, ups and downs and my faith been tested, we are here today giving the Glory to God for all that he has done.
After Five years in ministry The Lord Brought in to my life My loving Husband Roberto Decena. I want to thank God for Apostle Keyne Torres his wife pastor Sandra Torres for believing in the call The Lord placed in my life. Currently my husband and I are serving as Teachers for The Latin American Bible Institute of New York Inc. We give God all the Glory.
Thank you, My God.