BFMI family expresses hope amid tragedy

Mon, Nov 17th 2014, 02:32 AM

While the tragic deaths of world-renowned pastor, Dr. Myles Munroe, his wife and seven others, still weigh heavily on the hearts of their families, friends and supporters around the world, relatives and new Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) Senior Pastor Dave Burrows said during a transcendent service yesterday that they will continue to have faith, not take anything for granted and carry on BFMI's mission.
Yesterday marked one week since Munroe, who was the founder and president of BFMI, was killed in a plane crash along with his wife, Pastor Ruth Munroe; BFMI Senior Vice President Dr. Richard Pinder; BFMI Youth Pastors Lavard and Radel Parks; their son, Johannan Parks; pilots Stanley Thurston and Frahkan Cooper and American visitor Diego De Santiago.
The group was traveling to Grand Bahama for the Global Leadership Forum when the plane crashed into a crane at the Grand Bahama Shipyard.
As Myles "Chairo" Munroe Jr. prepared to speak onstage, relatives of several of the victims encircled and embraced him.
He broke the silence with a slightly shaking voice.
"I was going to prepare a speech, something written, but as I was getting ready this morning, I just knew that I was going to talk to my
family," said Munroe to applause.
He said it has been the "hardest week" for his family, and everyone else affected.
He said it is because of the support of family, including the BFMI family, that "I am able to stand here today".
"My dad always spoke about his belief in people," Munroe said.
"Nothing else mattered but people. Regardless of how long he spoke, or how much he traveled, he always made time for people.
"That is just the type of person he was. We sometimes take that for granted, just because people are here every day, and we just don't think certain people won't be here tomorrow."
Munroe said one thing people should learn from the tragedy that gripped the nation is not to take life for granted.
"You have to appreciate the moment," he said. "I encourage everyone this week, people who are in your life that you love and you care about, make sure you tell them.
"Do not take it for granted that you will be able to tell them because tomorrow is not promised."
With several hands resting on his shoulders, Munroe said, "We miss our parents, as we should, but the stories that I have heard this week from everyone who has come to express their condolences and give a good word to the family, my dad is right here with us."
The statement was met with loud applause and cheers.
Munroe said his father "reproduced himself in everyone he came into contact with".
He said he hears his father every day when people offer words of gratefulness or share a story about how Munroe impacted their lives.
"My dad did this thing where he came up and said, 'Hold the hands of the person sitting next to you and tell them, if you knew me [you'd buy me lunch]'," Munroe said.
"It is something I took for granted because he said it a lot of times, but it means so much now because you really do not know who is sitting next to you and what they are capable of.
"But my dad believed in their abilities and that everyone is gifted."
Munroe often used the self-coined idiom, "If you knew who I am going to be tomorrow, you would buy me lunch today" and variations of it during his many sermons.
Munroe Jr. said it is "amazing" that his mother, Pastor Ruth Munroe, who he described as his father's perfect "help mate", also died.
"She was his perfect help mate in death," he said to another round of applause.
"We have no answers to why. We can't understand that they both were taken because they needed to be taken.
"One day it will all make sense. That's what I keep telling myself, and I honestly believe that. One day God will reveal himself."
Amid more applause, Munroe added, "I wanted the church to see us physically, because this is family. This is my dad's family, the extension of his family.
"...We are strong, we are together. Our faith has not been moved. We have not been deterred. I hope a piece of my dad's legacy lives in us all."
Richard "Rinnah" Pinder Jr. also thanked BFMI members, the wider community, civic groups and other organizations for their support during this challenging time.
However, Pinder said, "This is not the end".
"Our parents started the work and it did not die with them.
"All of these people standing around us and behind us show that this is just the beginning."
He also called the BFMI congregation part of the Pinder family, and said, "We have come here today to let you know we stand together, never apart. We love all of you and thank you."
Sheena Pinder, wife of Dr. Richard Pinder and sister of Ruth Ann Munroe, said she, too, is only able to stand because of the love and prayers she has received.
"I am convinced that they left me behind so that I can keep these four in line, and keep them on the straight and narrow," said Pinder before glancing at her son and daughter, and the Munroe children.
Pinder spoke about being shaken, but holding onto faith and continuing the mandate set by her husband and his colleague, Myles Munroe, more than 30 years ago.
At the crowded Diplomatic Center on Carmichael Road, dozens of people wiped tears from their eyes.
Some wept loudly and called out, while others embraced one another and held hands at times.
Ushers canvassed the church offering tissue to those who could not hold back tears.
Photos of the nine victims remained on two large screens throughout the service.
BFMI members on and off the stage held hands, and swayed on the spot as they sang 'Bind us together'.
Two liturgical dancers held up white banners, which read "Holy".

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

 Sponsored Ads