Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe and to the right is renowned US public figure, Andrew Young. (Photo: Vandyke Hepburn)
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FREEPORT, Bahamas – Tourism Minister the Hon. Obediah Wilchcombe on Monday described Dr. Myles
Munroe as a man who died fighting for his country.
Mr. Wilchcombe’s comments came during the opening session
of the Global Leadership Forum currently underway at the Grand Lucayan Resort
on Grand Bahama Island.
The event is sponsored annually by Myles Munroe
International and the International Third World Leaders Association. Dr. Munroe, who also heads Bahamas Faith
Ministries International, died in a plane crash on Grand Bahama Sunday evening,
along with his wife and seven others.
His death sent shock waves across The Bahamas and
throughout the world. He was en-route to
Grand Bahama for the start of the conference when his private jet crashed.
“To reflect on the words of Martin Luther King when he
said if there is something worth fighting for, it’s worth dying for. Myles
Munroe died fighting for his country,” Mr. Wilchcombe said.
He said the popular Christian leader fought and he did all
that he could to help the people of The Bahamas. Also that he made a commitment to the island
of Grand Bahama to help it rise from its low economic situation, and did so.
“He said that he would cause all that he could to make
life better for the people of our country. He spoke about it, but he [also] lived
it, life with a purpose, understanding at all times the words may sound good
but it is the actions that will determine whether or not the words have
meaning,” he said.
According to the Tourism Minister every single day Dr.
Munroe sought to ensure whether it was in the church, whether it was in the
community, he ensured at all times people understood that the purpose in life
is the contribution that you have been called to make by the almighty and doing
so fearlessly in ensuring a better society and a people.
At front, standing at right is special guest, renowned US public figure, Andrew Young. Seated are, from right: Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obadiah Wilchcombe, and Minister of Transport and Aviation, the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin. (Photo: Vandyke Hepburn)
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He said that on Sunday upon hearing the tragedy, the
nation mourned “and our hearts are broken, but we understand that he is in a
better place. We understand that God is
good and in all things we ought to give God thanks.
“And, we ought to celebrate the fact that he walked this
earth with us and that Myles Munroe for practically all his life whether
through singing with a group, working with the Government, serving the church
was carrying out his purpose in life.
“And so today, as Minister of Tourism, I welcome you to
The Bahamas, and I welcome you to what he started for us here and I on his
behalf and others ask you to enjoy our country but use this moment for
reflections of a man who made a difference.
“Use this conference to think of your own life and the
things that we ought to do to advance the lives of others,” he told the
gathering.
The conference closes out on Wednesday evening. The
featured speaker at the three-day event is Ambassador Andrew Young, former
Mayor of Atlanta and UN Ambassador, civil rights leader and an ordained pastor
in the United States.
Also addressing the opening session was the Minister for
Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville who said that he was pleased that
the organizers of the Global Leadership Forum have decided to continue with the
conference, despite the tragic loss of Dr. Munroe and senior pastors of Bahamas
Faith Ministries.
“I am certain that Pastor Myles would have wanted it no
other way. That is why this morning it
is indeed an honour and a privilege for me to bring welcome remarks at the
opening of this year’s Global Leadership Summit and to pay tribute to a great
Bahamian, world leader, a mentor and friend,” Dr. Darville stated.
He pointed out that at the end of the 2013 Summit Dr.
Munroe expressed his passion for Grand Bahama, and gave his commitment to
assist with the island’s economic turnaround and announced that he would do all
in his power to ensure that the 2014 conference would be held on Grand Bahama
Island.
“I am grateful that Dr. Munroe remained committed to his
word and as a result, hundreds of leaders from around the world have converged
on Grand Bahama once again to be recharged and to hear what God is saying to
the nations,” he said.
(Photo: Vandyke Hepburn)
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Dr. Darville also expressed that Dr. Munroe shared and
understood the belief that crucial to the recovery of Grand Bahama Island’s
economy and securing its place as a major player in the global market, is the
island’s promotion as a place where the tourism, industrial and maritime sector
can thrive simultaneously.
“As a result, he committed to host this international
conference on the island of Grand Bahama, which would normally have been held
on New Providence, which over the past two years has attracted hundreds of
visitors to Grand Bahama, injecting millions of dollars into our local economy,
creating numerous prospects for the international exposure of our state of the
art harbour and infrastructure; and by extension, employment and
entrepreneurial opportunities for our residents,” he said.
The Minister for Grand Bahama further told delegates and
participants that he anticipates that the sessions will equip each of them with
a renewed sense of purpose, conviction, vision, passion as well as the skills
that are necessary to be an effective leader in these challenging times.
“I am truly excited about this focus on ethical leadership
as service to God and country is one of the most honourable means by which any
citizen can contribute to the building of their nation and the world.
“I encourage all of our local and national leaders to
actively participate in the sessions as I am sure that a great deal of
information will be disseminated over the next few days,” Dr. Darville stated.