Tears streamed down the face of Dr. Richard Pinder's daughter yesterday as she stood before his congregation and declared that her father died empty.
Talia Pinder paid tribute to her father during his funeral at the church he pastored up to his death, Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI).
Pinder, who was BFMI's senior vice-president, died on November 9 in a plane crash in Grand Bahama that also claimed the lives of eight others, including Pinder's brother-in-law Dr. Myles Munroe.
Pinder was 58.
Dressed in bright yellow attire, Pinder's family and friends celebrated his legacy and remembered him as a great man with a hearty, infectious laugh and a humble and kind soul.
During the service, which brought together hundreds of people from various denominations and countries, Talia Pinder reflected on her father's life and on his death.
"My dad's transition into heaven has made me reflect on his life and on his purpose and I can stand before you today and truly say that Dr. Richard Howard Pinder died empty," she said.
"He gave us everything he had. He never missed an opportunity to offer wise counsel, to be a listening ear, or to just give one of those warm hugs that instantly made everything seem okay. I can still hear his laugh ringing in my ear and it comforts me.
"...Daddy, I honor you today. You left an unforgettable legacy."
Many of the BFMI men wore yellow bow ties, as a symbol of respect to Pinder, who had a collection of bow ties and loved to wear them.
More than a dozen people paid tribute to Pinder, hailing him as a gifted motivational speaker and a minister with keen insight.
The common thread in most of the tributes was that Pinder was a man who gave wise counsel and who genuinely cared for others.
BFMI Senior Pastor Dave Burrows said Pinder became number one at being number two.
As he struggled to contain his emotions, Burrows commented on the special bond that he shared with Pinder.
"We had so many laughs and good times," he said. "But in the last few years we became really, really close. We were like brothers."
Burrows dropped Pinder to the airport before he boarded that doomed flight.
"We joked on the way to the airport," Burrows recalled. "He was so happy.
"When we arrived at the airport, he said, 'I'll see you in the morning'. But I never realized that the morning would be sometime in the future in a new place where we both wanted to go but just not now.
"I really miss my friend. I can't bring him back, but I can remember the good times. I can remember the prayers that he prayed over my life."
Burrows pledged to take care of Pinder's family and to make sure that his memory and legacy are preserved.

'No tragedy in the Kingdom of God'

Dr. Ranford Patterson, president of the Bahamas Christian Council, Dr. Pepe Ramnath, of Trinidad, and Pastor Jean Heder, of Haiti, were among those who also paid tribute to the late pastor.
Heder said Pinder was like a father to him.
"He was the closest male figure I had in my life," he said.
Heder said the pain he felt when his biological father died paled in comparison to the pain he felt and continues to feel over Pinder's death.
He said Pinder was a constant source of wisdom and encouragement.
Patterson said he was thankful that Pinder was a part of his life.
He said during the time when the country faced contentious issues, Pinder would call him and encourage him to stand firm.
Aside from being a source of motivation, Patterson said Pinder was his friend.
Senator Kwasi Thompson, Pinder's nephew, said he sought his uncle's counsel before he made several life changing decisions, including proposing to the woman who is now his wife.
Thompson said Pinder, whom he referred to as "godfather", was a great leader.
"It was always good talking to him," Thompson said.
As the service went on, a compilation of Pinder's sermons was played.
In one of the clips, Pinder referred to the death of Jesus.
"They thought when they killed Jesus that would be the end," Pinder said.
"But what they didn't know was that which was supposed to be the end became the beginning."
Talia said her father's death is not a tragedy as there is "no tragedy in the Kingdom of God".
"I picture you now, strutting through heaven's gates, your salt and pepper hair glistening," she said.
"As you prepare to meet your Lord and Savior, your laugh echoes through the windows of heaven and you receive your crown of glory.
"And Daddy, as you stand in the wings with your bow tie made of gold, GQ has nothing on you."
Also onboard the flight with Pinder and Munroe were Munroe's wife, Pastor Ruth Ann Munroe; BFMI Youth Pastors Lavard and Radel Parks and their son, Johannan; pilots Stanley Thurston and Frahkan Cooper and Diego De Santiago, an American.
The group was traveling to Grand Bahama for the Global Leadership Forum.
The Munroes will be buried tomorrow.

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