Just minutes before Ilka Judit Fuentes was set to be invested as a Master Guide at the International Pathfinder Camporee, she received devastating news: her beloved grandfather, Benito Monell, had passed away. Benito wasn’t just any grandfather—he was her mentor, her
inspiration and a pillar of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Puerto Rico. His legacy was deeply intertwined with the very ministry that Ilka had devoted her life to, making his passing at such a crucial moment profoundly emotional.
“When I posted online that my grandfather passed away, people started commenting,” Ilka recalls. “One of the comments that impacted me the most said, ‘because of the work of your grandfather in the club, I fell in love with Jesus.’ And now, I feel a responsibility to continue that legacy and help young people fall in love with Jesus. I feel that weight to continue sharing God with young people.”
Ilka’s journey to this moment began long before her grandfather’s passing. Raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, her life was steeped in the rich tradition of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Pathfinder ministry. Her grandfather was part of the first Pathfinder club ever established on the island. He worked closely with Eliezer Melendez, another prominent pastor and the director of that club. Her parents were also Pathfinder club directors.
Growing up with such influential role models, Ilka quickly became involved in the church and 
embraced leadership roles at a young age. “I have red triangles in my blood,” she says with a laugh, referring to the Pathfinder club’s logo. Her knowledge of knots and Adventist history—skills and knowledge passed down from her grandfather—became integral parts of her life. “I better know knots, or else I would get in trouble,” she remarks with a smile.
Becoming a Master Guide was a significant milestone for Ilka, marking her as a third-generation Pathfinder leader and Master Guide, following in the footsteps of both her parents and her grandfather. “I am proud of continuing the legacy that my family has laid down. It’s a real honor to keep serving God through this ministry,” Ilka shares.
But as she prepared to take on this new mantle of responsibility, the loss of her grandfather added a new layer of meaning to her investiture. It was no longer just about continuing a family tradition; it became a deeply personal mission to carry forward the torch of faith that Benito had passed to her.
Ilka’s journey doesn’t stop with the Pathfinder club. She is currently pursuing a Master of
Divinity at Andrews University, with plans to graduate in the summer of 2025. Her prayer is to serve the Lord alongside her husband, who is also a pastor. Together, they hope to minister wherever God leads, even if God calls her to serve in Puerto Rico, where no women pastors currently serve. “I want to inspire Latina women to follow God’s call despite our gender,” she says passionately. “Many people think we should not be here. But if we look at the Bible and our history in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, we will notice that definitely God uses all of us.”
Ilka’s story is a powerful reminder to young people everywhere to keep serving the Lord and to seek opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The Pathfinder club, which played such a crucial role in Ilka’s own life, helped her navigate some of her most challenging moments, including the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. With no electricity for a year, Ilka relied on the survival skills she learned in Pathfinders.
Today, as part of the Piedmont Park Thunderbirds club in the Kansas-Nebraska Conference, Ilka continues to live out the legacy of her grandfather. Her journey from San Juan to Andrews University and beyond is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of family.
