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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
A portrait of Dr. Myles Egbert Munroe.
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Nassau, Bahamas - After a five hour memorial service the previous evening at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium, Dr. Myles Egbert Munroe and his wife Pastor Ruth Ann Munroe were laid to rest on Thursday, December 4th. The
state-recognized funeral service lasting over 6 hours at the Diplomat Centre at Bahamas Faith Ministries. Hundreds gathered to pay tribute to the Christian evangelist and ordained Pentecostal minister who founded and led the Bahamas Faith Ministries International and Myles Munroe International.
Both Munroe and his wife Pastor Ruth, died on November 9th in a plane crash in Grand Bahama Island. The incident also took the lives of
Dr. Richard Pinder; youth Pastors Lavard and his pregnant wife Radel Parks, and their son Johanan
Parks, all of Bahamas Faith Ministries International Fellowship; airline pilots Frakhan
Cooper and Captain Stanley Thurston, and American public speaker Diego DeSantiago.
Their coffins were draped in the Bahamian flag and a king and queen's crown were place at the head of each. Local and international dignitaries were in attendance. Dr. Patrick Rolle and Pastor Kersch Darviller were the moderators, and Dr. David Burrows, Sr. Pastor, BFM gave opening remarks referring to Dr. Myles as a "Transformer."
Biblical readings were made by Garth Munroe, brother to Dr. Munroe; Dr. H. Freeman Lockhart, brother of Pastor Ruth; Shamsi Munroe, niece of Dr. Myles; and Chanelle Gibbs, godchild of Pastor Ruth.
"I am
honoured to be here in The Bahamas, where God lives," said American
Grammy award winner, CeCe Winans who sang "Don't Cry for Me." Other
musical selections were performed by Vision (
Brand New World), and the
Original Visionairies (
Living With Jesus on the Other Side). Dr. Munroe
was involved directly with both musical groups. Along with the BFM choir, performances were also made by Carlos Seis, the Grand Bahama
Youth Choir, Toinette Mackey, Daphne Bowleg, and Joan Callendar.
Chairo Munroe stands next to his sister Charisa Munroe as she gives a tribute to her parents.
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Daughter of Dr. Myles and Ruth Ann Munroe, Charisa Munroe gave an emotional but confident tribute to her parents. It was her first public statement since the tragedy.
"We have lost one of
the greatest fathers and mothers, and king and queen to have ever lived.
Yes it is only by faith that I can stand here before you, and declare
with much authority, that Dr. Myles Munroe and Pastor Ruth Ann Munroe
are not dead. But they are very much alive, in my brother and myself,
and in you.
"My parents were born into a life of purpose and they lived a life of
purpose. Dedicated to one purpose and one mission, to serve the people of
this world. Transforming followers into leaders, and leaders into
agents of change, starting with their own children. This is why death
had absolutely no victory.
"To have lost both parents at once is almost unbearable. No on can ever
understand the pain, hurt, anger, and dismay...yet we are Munroe
children. We were born to lead. I question no more, I understand now
where I have to go, and what I need to do. It is my duty and my
assignment to do my part.
"Daddy and Mummy, you are more alive now, then you were 25 days ago. You have now made room for Chairo and I to become great leaders. Chairo and I will talk about you daily, and tell our children about their powerful grandparents.
"Mummy your baby girl loves you, Daddy your darling daughter loves you. You are now living with Jesus on the other side."
Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling,
Governor General and The Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, Prime Minister had both extended condolences to the family the day prior during the Lying in Repose. They were joined at the funeral by Mrs. Bernadette
Christie; Dr. Hubert Minnis,
Leader of the Opposition; senators, religious leaders, members of parliament and senior government officials.
Both Christie and Minnis gave remarks.
"I am honoured to be here in The Bahamas, where God lives," said American Grammy award winner, CeCe Winans who sang "Don't Cry for Me."
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United States president, Barack Obama sent a written tribute which in part read, “Leaders like Myles
and Ruth teach us that we are our brothers’ and our sisters’ keepers and
challenge us to practice what we believe through our deeds as well as our
words..."
"He was uniquely gifted by God to touch leaders," Dr. William Wilson, Oral Roberts University who gave a tribute. Both Pastors Munroe attended Oral Roberts University. Chairo Munroe, Dr. Richard Pinder, and Dr. David Burrows also attended the university. Wilson stated that in 2015 Dr. Myles Munroe will be installed at the Wall of Sacrifice at the campus. The privilege is reserved for those who give their lives in service of Christ.
Pastor Gary Curry
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"His
influence is well-known around the world and he's well spoken of today,"
said Pastor Gary Curry. "But it took a long time for him to influence, to have a great impact on
the city of Nassau."
"He believed our nation's potential could be realised," said Speaker of the House of Assembly,
the Hon. Dr. Kendal Major, who
proposed during his tribute that a "Myles E. Munroe Highway" be commissioned; that a Myles E. Munroe School of Leadership be formed at College of The Bahamas; and that Munroe should be posthumously named "Ambassador Myles E. Munroe."
Dr. Munroe was a prolific author, and Robert Whitaker, Publisher, Whitaker House said that, "The last book idea we discussed was about death..."
Peter Morgan who first met Dr. Myles in Jamaica, "His had a rare type of vision. I cannot think of anything he said he would do that he never did. He was a finisher," said
"He lived to empty himself and said that he would die empty. He lived full, but everything he did was to empty himself, so that the time he rested in that day, he himself was empty. One of his expression was 'See you at the top' and that is exactly where he left us."
A tribute video montage was shown to honour Pastor Ruth Ann Munroe and special remarks came from her close friends Pastor Cyprianna Bethel, Dr. Bernadette Burrows, Pastor Barbara Lockhart, and Sis. Joycelyn Nelson.
Also speaking at the service were Pastor Henry Francis, Dr. Peter Morgan, His Grace Bishop Neil C. Ellis,
Speakers and performances
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"You loved and treated me like a daughter," said Xoli Masala, Director, Myles Munroe International, Republic of South Africa who affectionately referred to Dr. Myles and Pastor Ruth as 'Papa' and 'Mama.' Masala said their first child, which was born a month ago, will be named after Pastor Ruth. Charisa Munroe is her godmother.
"Papa called me his special African son," said her husband, Charlie Masala who also gave a message in Zulu.
He then asked those who traveled from Africa to acknowledge
themselves, and a tribal cheer followed as all those in the audience from Africa
stood. The Munroe family was then gifted a lion's skin.
Dr. Jerry Horner of Jerry Horner International Ministries in
Columbia, Georgia, performed the Eulogy. A closing prayer and benediction was given by Ron Luce, Teen Mania Ministries. Texas. The caskets left the service to buglers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and Defence Force and were buried at Lakeview Gardens and Mausoleums on John F. Kennedy Drive.
Persons Shaped by His Teachings Represent Dr. Munroe’s True Monument Says Prime Minister
Bahamas Prime Minister remarks at Dr. Myles Munroe funeral
Diplomatic Farewell for Dr. Myles Munroe and his Wife Ruth
United States president, Barack Obama sent a written tribute which in part said, “Leaders like Myles and Ruth teach us that we are our brothers’ and our sisters’ keepers and challenge us to practice what we believe through our deeds as well as our words...”
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"I don’t have to tell you that Dr. Munroe really loved his country, this beloved Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Yes, he would go forth into the world, criss-crossing continents, flying across the great oceans of the planet but he would always come back home to play his part, a leading part, in helping to build up his country..."
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"You loved and treated me like a daughter," said Xoli Masala, Director, Myles Munroe International, Republic of South Africa who affectionately referred to Dr. Myles and Pastor Ruth as 'Papa' and 'Mama.'
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Dr. William Wilson, Oral Roberts University stated that in 2015 Dr. Myles Munroe will be installed at the Wall of Sacrifice at the campus. The privilege is reserved for those who give their lives in service of Christ.
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Speakers and performances
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"I never saw him deny anybody a picture, or an autograph. Most big powered speakers often leave before they get an 'Amen'... Myles and I were always the last ones to leave. He was my ride home." - Rev. Dr. Jerry Horner, International Third World Leaders Association (ITWLA) trustee.
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Going Home Celebration, Diplomat Centre, Bahamas Faith Ministries
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“It is my personal passion, dedication and commitment to help as many
people as possible discover and fulfill their original purpose for life
and maximize their true and full potential.
I will give all my energy,
time, talent and gifts to serve the success of others.
They deserve the
best and I want to give it” - Dr. Myles Munroe
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
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