Melvin “Mel” Rees was born in Portland, Oregon, on September 3, 1906. After graduating from Walla Walla College he served in various capacities in New York, the North Pacific region, and the North American Division. For over 35 years, Rees specialized in biblical stewardship, teaching and speaking on the subject in all 50 states and around the world, as well as authoring 12 books, 4 cassette series, and 3 video series. Rees passed away November 17, 2004, at Battle Ground, Washington.
Mel Rees was a leading writer and proponent of stewardship education in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination during the second half of the 20th century. The Mel Rees Papers provides a good sample of many of his writings on this topic. His writings were translated into various languages for use around the world.
The North American Division Stewardship Department was instrumental in placing a collection of Mel Rees’ works in the Center for Adventist Research. Portions of this collection are located on the NAD Stewardship Department’s web page. The collection is also available on the Adventist Digital Library.
Mel Rees created many notebooks of sermon notes largely on stewardship. He also maintained topical files also largely on stewardship topics. A significant series is his collection of Ellen G. White quotations on stewardship. These are arranged by sub-topics within the overall theme of stewardship. For a complete description of the collection please see this Mel Rees finding aid created by the Center for Adventist Research.
Books in English
Biblical Principles…Giving and Living
Booklets
A Blueprint for Christian Stewardship
God’s Plan for Social Security
If You Think TV is Bad for Kids
A Practical Guide to Church Finance
Pamphlets
Manuscripts