The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

MEMBERS of the House of Assembly paid tribute to deceased Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) Senior Pastor Dr Myles Munroe who died, along with his wife Ruth and seven others, in a tragic plane crash on November 9.

The tributes came ahead of a planned five-hour long memorial service at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in honour of Dr Munroe and his wife last night.

In a passionate and at times teary tribute to the inspirational speaker and book author, Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells reflected on the impact that Dr Munroe had on not only the country, but also the world.

Mr Wells said: “In the aftermath of these events, we can usually hear the accolades and sometimes even a drab of criticisms from some quarters. But pastor Myles Munroe and the BFM family were always unmoved by the criticisms, understanding, as the Lord said, that a prophet is honoured everywhere at times except in his own home town and among relatives and family.

“My definition of a great man is one who has lived a full life, meaning that he gave into the lives of others and as a result of that giving away of oneself, as Pastor Myles would have said. And so I say that Pastor Myles was a great man.”

Opposition Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner said she did not view the death as untimely because everyone who came into contact with Dr Munroe at some point learned from his teachings. She said it was expected that those lessons would forever live on in the hearts of many.

Closing out the tributes, just before a moment of silence, Speaker of the House Dr Kendal Major said he had a personal relationship with Dr Munroe and considered him to be a spiritual father.

“For me it is personal in that I have lost two fathers,” Dr Major said. “He was a spiritual father and mentor. In the most challenging period of my life to date his wise counsel helped me get on the first ladder and helped me to walk to a higher place. 

“It was his teachings that touched me so profoundly that I recognised that I too could serve in this lofty place,” Dr Major said.

“I am better today because our paths have crossed. He was a real man not because of his service and bravado, but because of how he treated his children and his wife.”

At around 5.10pm on November 9, the executive Learjet 36 carrying Dr Munroe, 60 and his wife Ruth, crashed at a junk yard at the Grand Bahama Shipyard. 

The plane had left Nassau just after 4pm.

Also on board the ill-fated flight were BFMI vice-president Dr Richard Pinder, newly-ordained youth pastors Lavard “Manifest” Parks, his pregnant wife Radel and their son Johanan, five, pilot Captain Stanley Thurston, co-pilot Franhkan Cooper and US citizen Diego DeSantiago. On their way to a conference, they all died immediately on impact.

Dr Munroe and his wife Ruth will be laid to rest at 10am today during a funeral at BFMI’s Diplomat Centre on Carmichael Road.

Live streaming of the service will be available at http://www.lifestream.tv/bfmi/.