Encomium
Even though they lived miles away in Nassau, Bahamas, an island country in North America, yet their impact was felt in virtually every continent of the world. From America to Asia, then to Europe and Africa, Myles Munroe and his wife, Ruth, were what most people referred to as one of the most influential Christian couples of this century.
Born in 1954 (aged 60) in Nassau, Bahamas, Myles Munroe grew up poor in a family of 11 children. Raised in the Nassau suburb of Bain Town, he was a life-long resident of the Commonwealth.
Munroe became a Christian during his teenage and later attended the Oral Roberts University, USA, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts, Education, and Theology in 1978.
Apart from obtaining a master’s degree in administration from the University of Tulsa in 1980, Munroe was also the recipient of honourary doctoral degrees from various schools of higher education and served as an adjunct professor of the Graduate School of Theology at the Oral Roberts University.
Following his graduation from the University of Tulsa, he founded the Bahamas Faith Ministries International in the early 1980s.
His wife, Ruth, served as co-pastor with him at the church. They were blessed with two children: Myles Jr. (known as Chairo), and a daughter, Charisa.
But death took both away at the same time on November 9, 2014, when their aircraft struck a crane at a ship yard near the Grand Bahama International Airport.
With seven other passengers, it was the last journey for the Munroes as they were en route to Freeport, Grand Bahamas for a conference which was organised by the church.
Meanwhile, several tributes have been pouring in for the late couple from some of the popular clergymen both in Nigeria and abroad through the social media.
BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO, President and Founder, Living Faith Church Worldwide (aka Winners’ Chapel)
Myles and I called ourselves twin brothers. Myles, my twin brother is gone up to glory. Ruth, his partner in life and death has gone to eternal rest.
Faith and I miss you both! Our moments together on this side of the Jordan were most memorable. We stayed together on several occasions under the same roof. We lodged in same hotels time and again; we shared the platform together preaching the good news of the Kingdom over the years.
Our friendship of over 24 years was a most enriching and adventurous one, our partnership in ministry was also a most profitable and rejuvenating one.
Myles, my twin brother, a bundle of inspiration and a man of spiritual depth and insight. A leader of leaders and teacher of teachers
Ruth, a bundle of joy and divine radiance
Your smiles were ever contagious,
You exhumed gentleness, love and care like a fountain
You were indeed a priceless jewel!
The two of you were swifter than eagles
You literally traversed the globe
As you taught nations the principles of the Kingdom
You were both as strong as the unicorn,
Energetic, untiring, never relenting, purposeful and focused
I could still remember, Myles and I took all the inaugural induction lectures for the pioneer Faculty and Staff of Covenant University in August 2002.
All of Myles’ meetings on our church platform were ever inspiring and impactful.
The Living Faith Church Worldwide really misses you!
Good night Myles, my twin brother!
Good night Ruth, his partner in life and in death
PASTOR SAM ADEYEMI, Founder, Daystar Christian Centre
I was sad when I heard of the passing away of outstanding and inspiring mentor, Dr. Myles Munroe and his wife, along with others. It is well!
PASTOR SUNDAY ADELAJA, Founder and Senior Pastor, Embassy of God, Kiev, Ukraine
I, like most dwellers of our planet woke up to the crude and shocking news that Dr. Myles Munroe and his beloved wife Ruth had left this earth in a tragic plane crash. Dr. Myles and his wife have impacted my life, ministry and our whole Russian-speaking world in such a way that it`s difficult to imagine. He was not just a pastor, teacher and minister of the gospel, he was first of all a man; he was a real man, a complete person, a genuine human being. He is a man that genuinely worked hard to transform himself so much that he reflected the image and likeness of God. Myles Munroe made you feel like you were his peer. He made you feel welcome; he did everything to make you feel at home.
PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE, General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God
I regret the death of Myles Munroe, an evangelist and deep teacher of The Word. We cannot deny our grief. Without any doubt, Myles Munroe was a great man of God. His ministry impacted several ministries and generations. He will be greatly remembered and sorely missed by the Body of Christ. Nothing happens without God allowing it, though God was not behind this or any other plane crash. God will still ensure everything works together for good. The most important thing is for us to make heaven. God, who is sovereign and knows everything, has allowed it to happen. He knows best and why. He will not allow it if He cannot use it. We have no choice but to surrender to the supreme wisdom of God and trust Him fully at all times and in all situations.
CREFLO DOLLAR, Founder, World Changers Church International
My wife, Taffi, and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Myles Munroe and his wife, Ruth. We send our prayers and condolences to the Munroe family and all families affected in the tragic event.
BISHOP T.D. JAKES, Founder, The Potter’s House, USA
It is with deep shock and sadness that we have learned of the untimely passing away of our friends, Dr. Myles Munroe, his wife, Ruth Ann and seven others travelling with them. Our hearts go out to the Bahamas Faith Ministries International Fellowship family and those around the globe impacted by Dr. Munroe’s love of God’s Word, purpose-centred teaching, and passion for leaders. Our hearts are broken.
We weep with all Christendom at this unimaginable loss. There are few biblical clinicians whose view of ministry wasn’t enriched in some way by this tremendous bible scholar. His voice changed the way we viewed the Kingdom! Dr. and Mrs. Myles Munroe and associates, gone but not forgotten!
PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR, President, Christian Association of Nigeria
It was sad day. I woke up to the news that the prolific best-selling author and internationally renowned preacher and business coach, Dr. Myles Munroe of Bahamas Faith Ministries International, his wife, Mrs. Ruth Ann Munroe, died in a plane crash in the Bahamas. May you and your wife rest in the perfect bosom of the Lord.
PASTOR PAUL ADEFARASIN, Founder, House on the Rock Church
Christendom has lost a leader, but heaven welcomed a general. We mourn the tragic passing of a great man, but re-echo his words: “The greater tragedy would have been a life lived without fulfilling purpose.” Rest in our Father’s bosom, Dr. Myles and Ruth Munroe.
KENNETH COPELAND, Founder, Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Myles and Ruth Munroe, and their ministry, had been long-time friends of Kenneth Copeland Ministries, and with Gloria and me, for well over 35 years. Dr. Myles Munroe was a strong man of the word of Goda strong and gifted leader in the Body of Christ with an anointing to minister to ministers and teach and train leaders to be leaders in Christ Jesus, in the things of God, and in the victory that we have in Jesus Christ as LORD and Saviour. His lovely wife, Ruth, was equally as strong in the Lord and a powerful minister of the gospel in her own right. Of course they will be missed. And, of course we miss the strength that God placed in them. Ah, but no, we don’t sorrow and mourn their passing. The Scripture says sorrow not, for we are not a people without hope. We know, beyond a shadow of any doubt, that Myles and Ruth Munroe just stepped into the presence of Jesus, and thanks be unto God He always gives us victory over death. He bought it, He paid for it and it is ours!
-FEMI OYEWALE
