A TRIBUTE TO DR. MYLES AND RUTH MUNROE AND ARMOUR BEARERS

A TRIBUTE TO DR. MYLES AND RUTH MUNROE AND ARMOUR BEARERS

Many are called, few are chosen but Dr. Myles Munroe was a sent one who came from eternity into time on his way to eternity. In time, he made indelible impressions on the sands of time that cannot be erased in time or eternity.
For years I wondered why I was here on earth until I met him on the pages of his book; Myles Munroe in Pursuit of Purpose and sat under his teaching live in 2006. My life experienced a paradigm shift. His life brought clarity to God's call upon my life. For years I wondered why I could not get away from a call that had great circular impact and kingdom impact as I thought both could not go together. His life provided answers to questions unanswered in my heart and emboldened me to question some unwholesome practices in my generation. He had such a great impact on the kingdom and governments all over the world.
He was one of the few preachers who had an appeal that cut across all circles of human interaction. His ability to weave spiritual truths into governance, leadership, business and all lives pursuits was unparalleled. Corporate and Non Governmental Organizations, Academic and research institutes all surrendered their platforms to hear his words of wisdom. Muslim CEOs invited him to train and groom their employees. Heads of state and presidents all invited him to participate in National dialogue meetings.

When I got a call from a bossom friend of his passing unto glory I was short of words. All I can say is; no one is indispensable in the kingdom, but some are irreplaceable. Myles is one of such.

Munroe's death was especially upsetting in his native Bahamas, and Prime Minister Perry G. Christie called the loss "utterly impossible to measure."

"He was indisputably one of the most globally recognizable religious figures our nation has ever produced. His fame as an ambassador for the Christian ministry preceded him wherever in the world he traveled, whether in the Caribbean, North America, Asia, Europe or Africa. He was a towering force who earned the respect and admiration not only of Christian adherents but of secular leaders both here at home and around the world”.

I had barely settled down in my office this morning when the news of Dr Myles Munroe's passing came to me.I was heartbroken. I wept and wished it wasn't true, but it was. And as I became quiet to listen to my heart, I heard the Spirit of God say "Myles found purpose, emptied himself and left a mark on earth, what will you do with your life? Folks the best way to mourn this Great General of God is to live and practice all he taught us. Your resolve should be" I will find my purpose and I will fulfill it. I am not going back full" – Rev. Franca Atokolo

His Early life

Like most of us seated here, he was born in 1954 April 20 in Nassau, Bahamas. Munroe grew up poor in a family of eleven children. Raised in the Nassau suburb of Bain Town, he was a life-long resident of the Commonwealth. He was not born with a silver spoon, was not clothed in gold apparel but was truly a man of gold and a man of God. He overcame unbelievable odds to emerge as a global leader of leaders. Munroe became a Christian during his teenage years.

Education

He delayed different gratifications for his education. He attended 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 before getting married. 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.

His Marriage and family life

He preached and lived out his family values, as it was reflected in the unprecedented adoration and admiration he had for his wife of over 34 years, Ruth Munroe, who served as co-pastor with him at BFMI. Together, the couple had two children, Myles, Jr. (known as Chairo), and a daughter, Charisa. I often say is not what you leave for your children that is as important as what you live in them. Like father like children, both Chairo and Charis are college graduates and hold MBA and MBA, MSc respectively in the quest for self-development.

His Ministry

Following his graduation from the University of Tulsa, Munroe founded Bahamas Faith Ministries International in the early 1980s. His message was essentially about the Kingdom of God; a supernatural government whose interest extends to cover both heaven and earth. The Kingdom message is not about a religion. It is a political idea predicated on God's original idea to put man in charge of everything he created. The original agenda of God was that man would rule and reign as a representative. The Church of God is not a religious organization he often said. Religion is man's futile attempt to connect back to God. The pursuit of this ideal and the right standing with the King of heaven and earth (God) was the message of Jesus Christ. It was the heart beat of Dr. Myles Munroe. Many may have known Dr. Myles as a leadership trainer, motivational speaker and much more but he was for all practical purpose a witness to the divine mandate of Jehovah. He was like every human being is expected to be, a Diplomat of God's kingdom.

According to Oral Roberts President William M. Wilson statement following Munroe’s death November 9; “His energy and enthusiasm for imparting Spirit Empowered Christianity to new generations was contagious,” Wilson said in the statement. “Whether in a leadership gathering with those in highest authority or in Bahamas as a caring shepherd in a community of believers, Myles was always the same -- upbeat, positive, loving, full of faith and searching for any way possible to make Jesus known in our generation. His loss will be felt around the world as well as in our hearts here at ORU.”

Awards

Among other awards, in 1998 the Bahamian government presented Munroe with that country's "Silver Jubilee Award" for his years of service to the Bahamas in the area of "spiritual, civic, social and religious development." The highest award bestowed by the Government of the Bahamas. Oral Roberts University (ORU) named Munroe "Alumnus of the Year" in 2004.

Munroe  was  the  Bahamas  youngest recipient  of  the Order  of  the  British  Empire Award  (OBE) which  was  bestowed by  the  Queen  of  England,  her  majesty  Queen Elizabeth  II.

Dr.  Munroe is  also  the  recipient  of  the Trumpet  Awards  bestowed  by  the  CNN Ted Turner  sponsored  corporation,  the  Trumpet  Awards  Organization  for  his  contribution  to  global  spiritual  development.

In his life time he also received over 5 Honorary Doctoral Degrees from leading Universities in the United States, Canada and Africa.

Controversy

Like every other great man, he was criticized in so many ways like Jesus. In March 2014, Munroe was criticized publicly in a press statement by Bahamian Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell for comments he had made about the government's positions regarding the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered individuals in the LGBT community in the Bahamas. Munroe had stated that Mitchell's support of LGBT persons in the Bahamas does not “represent the majority of the convictions of the Bahamian people” Mitchell responded by claiming, "Once again Dr. Myles Munroe has returned to a theme he does not understand and obviously which he has no knowledge." Mitchell went on in the statement to reference what he regarded as Munroe's "...absolute stupidity and willful deceit is parading around in the pulpit disguised as theology." Mitchell's comments were in direct response to Munroe's claim that Mitchell's support of LGBT persons in the Bahamas does not “represent the majority of the convictions of the Bahamian people”.^[10]

In September 2014, Munroe again stirred controversy in the Bahamas when he made comments in a statement titled "Homosexuality - Phobia or Principle". In the statement, Munroe claimed people have "hijacked" and "raped" the civil rights movement with efforts to fight for the rights of those in the LGBT community. The statement from Munroe was in response to a gay pride event that took place the last weekend of August 2014. Local gay rights and civil rights spokespersons stated they were shocked and alarmed by Munroe's statement. Joseph Gaskins, former lecturer at the College of the Bahamas, called his position on homosexuality and civil rights hypocritical in light of Munroe's then-recent visit with polygamist South African President Jacob Zuma.

Dr. Myles Munroe is an epitome of greatness and a life well lived. To many he was a Leader, Consultant, Professional Coach, Mentor, Motivational Speaker, Corporate Trainer, Spiritual Leader, Advisor, Educator, Bestselling Author, Father and Husband. No doubt, the truth be said; the sum total, he was a man sent from God. 

He is the founder and chairman of International Third World Leaders Association (ITWLA), a global network of leaders in over 80 nations, International Leadership Training Institute (ILTI) and Chairman of Diplomat Development and Investment Company (DDIC). He also founded the Bahamas Faith Ministries and the Myles Munroe International, platforms on which he impacted the world, visiting over 100 nations on 5 continents of the world. He also authored 55 books, 20 making it on the list of Bestsellers.

He  has  shared  the  platform  with  such  distinguished  individuals  as Presidents,  Prime  

Ministers,  Monarchs,  Governors,  Corporate  Leaders,  Religious  Leaders,  Members  of  Congress,  Senators,  Law  Enforcements  Agencies,  Judicial  Leaders,  Hollywood Stars  and  professional  Athletes. He  has addressed  live  audiences  from  30  to  over 1.2  million and  television  audiences  of  over  1.4  billion.

Quotes by Dr. Myles Munroe…

The wealthiest spot on earth is not the oil fields, the gold or diamonds mines...but the cemetery”

“The greatest tragedy of Life is not death, but life without a purpose.”

“Where purpose is not known abuse is inevitable.”

“Buried in the cemetery are books that were never written, songs that were never sung, paintings that were never painted, and poetry that was never read...”

“The goal of life for every human being is to die empty...”

“Trapped in every follower is a hidden leader”

“Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration generated by a passion motivated by a vision produced by a vision ignited by a purpose”

“Great leaders never desire to lead but to serve”

“True leaders never seek followers, followers seek true leaders.”

“True leaders make themselves increasingly unnecessary.”

“Marriage is like an omelet, it is only as good as the eggs.”

“A successful marriage is the product of two people being successfully single.”

“The greatest threat to personal progress is your last success”

“The greatest threat to all you can be is satisfaction with who you are.”

“Leave your success and go create another. That’s the only way you will maximize your potential.”

“Life without purpose is time without meaning.”

“Time is an interruption in eternity and a measure of forever.”

“You cannot live beyond your thoughts and convictions.”

“Leadership is becoming your true self for the benefit of others.”

“The potential of a thing is determined by the demands made on it by the one who made it.”

Dr. Myles Munroe; the Kingdom preacher lived to his full potential. His legacy transcends the scores of books he wrote, the millions of lives he touched and the very purpose he lived for. You taught purpose, lived purpose, and died living purpose. Adieu Myles and Ruth Munroe!