Several tributes have poured out, but I find this one by Pst Sunday Adelaja so touching.
I, like most dwellers of our planet woke up to this crude and shocking
news that Dr.Myles Munroe and his beloved wife Ruth have 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.
Dr.Myles Munroe was not just a Pastor, Teacher and Minister of the
gospel. Dr.Myles 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 reflects the image
and likeness of God. Myles Munroe makes you feel like you are his
peer. He makes you feel welcome, he does everything to make you
feel at home.
I feel I should share the story of the first time I met him in 1999. He
and Ruth came to our ministry here at the Embassy of God, Kiev,
Ukraine, for the very first time. However a few days before his arrival
I was down with chickenpox. Of course, with that kind of infection I
needed to be isolated. But Dr.Myles insisted on seeing me and when
he came into the room I asked him to stay away from me since I did
not want him to get infected, but instead of that, he came right at me
hugging me. What he said was even more amazing. He said: “…rub
those wounds on my skin, rub your body against my body because
we are brothers, we are covenant brothers, we are brothers keepers”,
he said, “let your problem become my problem, let your challenge
become my challenge, let`s share this chickenpox together, let`s
carry the burden together…” I was like WHAT!!! What is this man
doing? But from that day Myles Munroe won my heart, he quickly
became one of my closest Friends on earth, a Confidant, Teacher,
Senior Brother, Colleague, Partner, and just a Trusted Friend.
Then a day later, when the conference began I made another
discovery of this ONE IN A LIFETIME PERSONALITY. I discovered
that Myles Munroe is a Teacher, at first I was perplexed that even
though I never heard this man and I think he never heard me, but yet
how come we are talking the same language? I never heard anybody
preaching such a similar message as I preached. To hear Dr.Myles
Munroe do it with such brilliance and eloquence totally impressed
me. I think preachers will understand me when I say, at a point you
get to a place when it is difficult to find who to listen to, but from that
week till date Myles Munroe became one of a few people in the world
whom I can readily listen to and take away something for myself.
Myles Munroe, oh, did he shake my world!!! After his messages,
testimonies and words in our church I vowed to discover God for
myself in a new way, he sparked a new hunger in me, that drove me
to God and self-education like never before, after which my ministry
took to a totally different dimension. We started to have social,
economic and political influence, just as he taught us. Members of
our church began to discover and pursue their purpose, - and then
the explosion began.
Let me tell you another story about the humanity of this great giant of
God. Each time I met Dr.Myles, you won`t believe this, but he runs
towards me with his arms wide opened like for a warm embrace,
then falls on his knees with his head bowed down. This is one of the
biggest acts of humility you will ever see, especially coming from
such a renowned personality like Dr.Myles Munroe.
Dr.Myles paid a great price to keep coming to Ukraine to help us
build a world-class church. He was embarrassed many times by the
customs at the point of entrance, yet, brotherly love prevailed on him
to overlook all the hindrances and challenges that it takes to partner
with a brother and to help a friend. When the attacks on me and our
church from the Ukrainian government became very fierce with all
forms of false accusations, allegations, court cases and threats,
Dr.Myles was constantly keeping in touch despite his busy schedule
to assure us of his prayers. Even though I could not travel out of
Ukraine of late, Dr.Myles was always sending messages to find out
how I was doing etc.
The last I heard of Myles Munroe was last month when he sent a
message through a common friend who was visiting Ukraine from
Israel where Dr.Myles was speaking. He wanted me to know he was
coming to see me soon and he said, “tell Pastor Sunday, he is the
most strategic person I have ever met, I will be with him there
soon”...
Today I discovered that I am no more going to be privileged to
receive the embrace of my brother anymore on this side of the
ocean.
Dr.Myles, as it were, I can see that you are no more the one going to
be with me soon, but rather I soon will be with you, – in our heavenly
Father`s home.
Rest in peace my Friend
Rest in peace my Brother
Rest in peace my Confidant
Rest in peace my Inspiration
Rest in peace God`s General
Rest in peace Teacher of men
Rest in peace the Man of purpose.
You have lived a full life, poured out to humanity, great shall be your
reward. Rest well, Dr.Myles Munroe. Adieu, Dr.Ruth Munroe, until we
all meet again at the bosom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Your Friend and Brother,
Pastor Sunday and Bose Adelaja
Kiev, Ukraine