Nigerians joined Christians and world leaders to mourn the Senior Pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI), Dr. Myles Munroe who died in a plane crash on Sunday, November 9. TEMITOPE DAVID-ADEGBOYE and PASCAL OPARADA write about the tributes pouring in.
If anybody had lived by what they preached, leading a generation on a trajectory that is directly antithetical to the norms of the society, it could easily be Myles Munroe. Could one think of any other person who impacted his generation more, tasking them on discovering, harnessing and unleashing their potentials?
Munroe challenged convention, broke norms and forged new frontiers for people who hitherto were stuck in a mire of what the society had to offer them. He refused to be cowed by tradition, rising above religion to impact even the secular world with his message of purpose and leadership.
He did not believe that background should put one’s back on the ground. He did not believe that because one came from ‘third world’, they should take the backseat in the affairs of life. He challenged these perceptions and fought rigorously, through his messages and books, to change people, especially the so-called third world from these self-imposed inhibitions.
According to him, he wanted to raise change agents, and a change agent he was.
Munroe died with his wife, Ruth, and seven others in private plane crash on November 9, 2014. Their death has left his their children, Myles Jr. known as Chairo and daughter, Charisa, orphans.
The others on board include Senior Vice-President, BFMI, Richard Pinder; newly-installed youth pastors, Lavard and Radel Parks, and their son, Johannan; as well as pilots, Stanley Thurston and Farkhan Cooper.
They were on their way to a Global Leadership Forum. Bahamian officials stated that their aircraft struck a crane at a ship yard near Grand Bahama International Airport. Munroe and the other passengers were en route to Freeport, Grand Bahama, for a conference.
Judging by the outpouring of condolences, which came from Christians and world leaders since his demise, no doubt, Munroe fulfilled his purpose.
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, wrote on his Facebook timeline: “We remember Dr. Myles Munroe, our friend, ministry partner and renowned leadership mentor. Rest in peace.”
In his tribute to Myles and Ruth Munroe, Bishop David Oyedepo said: “Myles and I called ourselves ‘twin brothers’
Myles, my twin brother is gone up to glory. Ruth, his partner in life and death has gone to eternal rest. Faith and I miss you both!
“Our moments together on this side of the Jordan were most memorable. We stayed together on several occasions under the same roof. We lodged in same hotels time and again; we shared the platform together preaching the good news of the Kingdom over the years.
“Our friendship of over 24 years was a most enriching and adventurous one.
“Our partnership in ministry was also a most profitable and rejuvenating one.
“I could still remember, Myles and I took all the inaugural induction lectures for the pioneer Faculty and Staff of Covenant University in August 2002. All of Myles’ meetings on our church platform were ever inspiring and impactful.
“The Living Faith Church Worldwide really misses you!”
Lead Pastor at Elevation Church, Godman Akinlabi, is consoled that Monroe fulfilled his purpose and stirred others to do the same.
His words: “I woke up this morning to pick up a call from a friend from the United States and got the sad news of the passing away of Dr. Myles Munroe and his wife. A man of purpose, who taught us purpose and potentials. What a great blessing to our world. He once said ‘that the greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without purpose’. We must console ourselves in that truth; he fulfilled his purpose and stirred all of us to do the same. We will greatly miss this great mentor, leader, teacher, and pastor. RIP Dr. Myles.”
Even in death, his books are living legacies. Family-Life Advocate and Culture Ambassador, Itoro Effiong-Bright, wouldn’t know where she would have been now if she hadn’t read his book.
She wrote: “Thank you for coming, Dr. Myles. I don’t know where I would have been if I hadn’t read your book, In Pursuit of Purpose. I will miss you on YouTube. May God comfort Chairo Munroe as you three begin the best part of life. Like you said in your book, ‘The greatest tragedy is not death but life without a purpose’.”
She has a word of advice for fellow Christians.
“In dedication to the life of this Great Man of God who gave meaning to the word ‘Purpose’, please spend some time with God today asking Him to show you why He created you. If you already know why you came, spend some time with God today learning through the help of the Holy Spirit how to accomplish that purpose.
“Never let social media deprive you of your destiny! Give God priority today because these things won’t matter in the life beyond!”
Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Perry Christie, expressed shock at his death, stating that Munroe was “the most recognisable religious leader our country has ever produced”.
John Hagee of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio and his wife, Diana, who received the tragic news “with great sadness”, said: “Let the Body of Christ be reminded that because of the victory of Christ at the cross, death is now only a shadow. No one should fear a shadow, for the shadow of a dog cannot bite you, and the shadow of a sword can’t kill you.
“Our last breath here is our first breath there! Pastor Munroe’s flight landed safely in Heaven the destination of every believer.”
Renowned Christian author and televangelist, Kenneth Copeland, said: “We remember and honour the life of Dr. Myles Munroe and his wife, Ruth, who went home to be with the Lord yesterday.”
The foundation of former Mayor of Atlanta and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Andrew Young, who was scheduled to speak at Dr. Munroe’s 2014 Global Leadership Forum, released the following statement: “Ambassador Young expresses his deep sadness over the tragic death of his friends, Dr. Myles and Mrs. Ruth Munroe. He offers condolences to the Munroe family and the families of the other souls who lost their lives as a result of this shocking plane crash.”
Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) said on its Facebook page: “Our hearts are broken for the loss of our dear friends and one of God’s great generals. Our prayers to all those in the Munroe family and Bahamas Faith Ministries. Dr. Myles had a huge impact on our family in teaching us to follow God’s plan as we determined our purpose in Hollywood and beyond.
“Myles Munroe has now taken his place in that Kingdom that he taught so many others about. We’re grateful for his life, but so saddened by his passing.”
Early life and education
Born in 1954 in Nassau, Bahamas, Myles Munroe grew up poor in a family of 11 children. Raised in the Nassau suburb of Bain Town, he was a life-long resident of the Commonwealth. He became a Christian during his teenage years, later attending Oral Roberts University (ORU) where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts, Education, and Theology in 1978 and a Master’s degree in Administration from the University of Tulsa in 1980.
Following his graduation from the University of Tulsa, Munroe founded Bahamas Faith Ministries International in the early 1980s.
Munroe was also the recipient of honorary doctoral degrees from various schools of higher education and served as an adjunct professor of the Graduate School of Theology at ORU.
He was a husband, father, pastor, teacher, administrator, author and motivational speaker. His wife, Ruth, served as co-pastor with him at BFMI. Together, the couple had two children, Myles Jr. (known as Chairo), and a daughter, Charisa.
Christian ministry
He authored or co-authored more than 100 books, study guides and audio tapes addressing topics such as Christian interpretations of the Kingdom of God, as well as guidance on love, family relationships and finances. His work on earth surely will not be forgotten, and his legacy will live on.