Prime Minister Perry Christie was among those grieving the loss of Dr. Myles Munroe Sunday night and said in a late night news conference that he has lost a personal friend and spiritual mentor.

He told reporters that Dr. Munroe was a great Bahamian with universal clout who has left the nation and the world a better place because of the power and passion of his preaching and the example of his life as a religious leader.

Mr. Christie said it is impossible to measure the magnitude of Dr. Munroe’s loss to The Bahamas and to the world.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic passing of Rev. Dr. Myles Munroe, his wife, Ruth, Pastor Richard Pinder, and the other persons who perished with them in a plane crash at Freeport,” he said.

“If I hesitate to call all their names it is not out of any disrespect but only because it would be premature to do so at this early juncture when recovery and identification efforts are still underway. He was indisputably one of the most globally recognisable religious figures our nation has ever produced. His fame as an ambassador for the Christian ministry preceded him wherever in the world he travelled, 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.”

Mr. Christie added that while he and Dr. Munroe disagreed on a number of matters over the years, he held him in the highest regard.

He added that Dr. Munroe was a man of immense charisma and persuasive appeal and that there was never any question that Dr. Munroe was a man of deeply held principles who never hesitated to speak truth to power.

“I leaned on his counsel in a number of important matters, most recently in the consultations with religious leaders on the pending constitutional bills, a process in which he took an enthusiastic and constructive part, helping even to re-draft one of the bills that had met with a great deal of public controversy,” he said.

“This is a particularly difficult loss for The Bahamas Faith Ministries (BFM) church family to have to bear. I hope therefore that all my fellow Bahamians will hold the BFM
membership, and the families of those who died, in their thoughts and prayers in the coming days but in truth we all need to comfort each other because the loss of Dr. Munroe is a loss that we all feel as Bahamians and as a Christian nation.”

Also extending condolences on the passing of Dr. Munroe and the passengers on board that flight was Minster of Tourism Obie Wilchombe.

In a press statement released last night, Mr. Wilchombe regarded Dr. Munroe as a global leader, a pillar of strength and inspiration for many and a pioneer of religious tourism in The Bahamas.

“Dr. Munroe also acted as an ambassador for The Bahamas, taking his ministry to thousands and participated in numerous foundations and conclaves around the world,” Mr. Wilchombe said.

“During the course of which he put The Bahamas on the world map for many who might not otherwise have heard of our nation. The Ministry of Tourism has worked closely with Dr. Munroe to bring thousands of religious tourists to The Bahamas, as he understood the power of this market and benefits to his country.”

Today, Dr. Munroe was expected to host the 2014 Global Leadership Summit on Grand Bahama Island, in a bid to bring thousands of people to the nation’s second city.