On behalf of my
wife Patricia and the Free National Movement family, I wish to express
my deepest sympathy to the Bahamas Faith Ministries family on the tragic
loss of my friend Pastor Myles Munroe and his wife Ruth, Dr. Richard
Pinder, his long time colleague, Co-founder of BFM and Assistant Senior
Pastor, Youth Pastor Lavard Parks, Captain Stanley Thurston and other
colleagues accompanying him.
Tonight my heart is heavy and like
millions around the world we are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of
one of the worlds most noted spiritual leaders and teachers. This
tragedy is both difficult to comprehend and accept but we know that
Pastor Myles and his colleagues and family all enjoyed a deep and
personal relationship with God and as such are resting in his arms.
Dr Myles Munroe is probably best known
for his ground-breaking work on leadership and purposeful living. He was
a world recognized teacher who traveled around the world Ministering to
Christians and unbelievers. He gained a reputation as a leadership guru
and was in high demand by governments and corporations internationally.
He was an outstanding Ambassador on behalf of the Bahamas.
Notwithstanding his international acclaim he was accessible to Bahamians
and spoke at many local churches and events throughout the Bahamas. He
periodically appeared on radio and television talk shows sharing his
views on national issues from a Christian perspective.
In recent years he increasingly weighed
in rather candidly on National issues seeking to exhort the nation and
national leaders to speak and act in a way that was consistent with good
governance and concern for the type of culture we were cultivating
through our pronouncements, policies and laws. He was thoughtful and
respectful in all his national debates and most importantly he was
motivated by a deep sense of responsibility and love for Bahamians and
nation building.
Pastor Myles Munroe rose from
humble beginnings in Bain Town to international acclaim and respect.
Along the way he distinguished himself in every area he ventured into.
He was a dedicated and effective Civil Servant before entering into full
time Ministry. He was the visionary behind Al and the Visionaires, a
local gospel group that rose to national stardom. Their most notable hit
was “Brand New World.” He and Pastor Richard Pinder founded BFM and
immediately attracted a cross-section of Bahamians. This Ministry has
produced national leaders in business, politics, civics and other areas
of our national life.
The Bahamas has been blessed because of
the tireless and selfless work of one of our greatest sons. He was an
author of many books, a number of which are international best sellers.
He often remarked that we should die empty having produced all that God
has birthed in us. No doubt the world will mourn with us here in the
Bahamas. We deeply love Pastor Myles and will miss him but shall
continue his work to empower others and share the Kingdom principles
that undergirded everything he said and did. In the upcoming weeks the
Free National Movement will find a more permanent way to remember Dr
Myles Munroe. Until then we wish to remind the public of one of his most
powerful and timely quotes,
“ The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without a purpose.”