WAS DR. MYLES MUNROE AHEAD OF HIS TIME?

GROW WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED | THE SEED & THE SOWER | METAMORPHOSIS

A BOY FROM THE BAHAMAS WITH A BURNING QUESTION

There are certain men who do not just preach words but ignite something deep inside the human spirit. Dr. Myles Munroe was one of those rare individuals. He did not speak just to be heard. He spoke to awaken people. I met him many years ago, and from the first conversation, I knew I was in the presence of a different kind of mind. His logic was sharp. His words were calm but powerful. He did not just quote scripture; he broke it down and made it breathe.

He was born on April 20, 1954, in Nassau, Bahamas. He grew up in a poor neighborhood in Bain Town. Poverty was not a theory to him. It was his daily life. He understood hunger, struggle, and limitation. But what set him apart early on was not money or connections. It was curiosity. He questioned everything.

As a young man, he struggled deeply with faith. He once shared how he felt religion did not answer his questions. He was searching for something real. That search eventually led him to a personal transformation that changed the course of his life. When he embraced Christianity, he did not do it halfway. He studied it intensely.

He later attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, he earned degrees in theology and education. But education did not inflate him. It refined him. He began to see the Bible not just as a religious book but as a constitutional document for a Kingdom.

From that point forward, his life was about one word: purpose.

PURPOSE AS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A CLICHE

Dr. Munroe founded Bahamas Faith Ministries International in 1980. What began as a small Bible study grew into a global ministry. He traveled to over 100 nations. He spoke to presidents, business leaders, and everyday people. Yet his message remained consistent: discover your purpose and live it.

He wrote more than 60 books, many sources say around 69. Titles like “The Purpose Driven Life” may be known to many, but his works such as “Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men,” “The Spirit of Leadership,” and “Rediscovering the Kingdom” carved out a lane that was uniquely his. He focused heavily on Kingdom principles rather than traditional church culture. That distinction made him stand out.

One thing that many people may not know is how disciplined he was with his time. Those close to his ministry often spoke about his strict writing schedule. He would wake up early, guard his study time fiercely, and write even while traveling. He believed ideas were seeds. If you did not plant them, they would die inside you.

His teaching style was different. He approached scripture almost like a legal scholar. He broke down Greek and Hebrew meanings. He explained concepts like dominion, authority, and leadership in ways that connected faith to everyday life. He did not shout to move crowds. He reasoned with them.

He was also passionate about nation-building. He believed that leadership was the key to transforming countries. He trained thousands through conferences and leadership seminars. He often said that the greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without purpose.

A GLOBAL VOICE ROOTED IN HUMILITY

Despite his global reach, there was something grounded about him. He did not present himself as untouchable. When I met him, what impressed me most was how he listened. He did not rush conversations. He processed your words. His confidence was strong, but it was not arrogant.

He served as a spiritual advisor to political leaders in the Bahamas and beyond. He believed faith should shape policy and culture, but not through force. Through wisdom. Through principles. Through example.

Dr. Munroe also focused heavily on men. He saw a crisis in masculinity long before it became a common topic. He spoke about responsibility, fatherhood, and self-control. He challenged men to rise above excuses and lead with integrity.

He was married to his wife, Ruth Munroe, and they worked side by side in ministry. Their partnership was visible and powerful. Family was not something he preached about from a distance. He lived it.

Then came November 9, 2014. A plane carrying Dr. Munroe, his wife, and several ministry leaders crashed near Grand Bahama Island. The news shook the world. It felt sudden. It felt unreal. For many of us, it felt personal. A voice that had shaped our thinking was gone in an instant.

A LEGACY THAT REFUSES TO DIE

But here is the truth about men of purpose. They do not truly die. Their bodies may rest, but their words continue to work.

His books are still being read. His lectures are still circulating online. His teachings on the Kingdom continue to challenge old mindsets. Many pastors, leaders, and entrepreneurs trace their clarity back to something he taught.

One powerful story often shared is how he would tell audiences to write down their vision in detail. Not vague dreams. Specific plans. He would say that leaders must see the end before the beginning. That level of clarity helped many build businesses, ministries, and stronger families.

He also taught that leadership is not about position but influence. That idea freed many from waiting for titles. It pushed them to lead wherever they stood.

For me, the pain of his passing has turned into appreciation. Some lives are long but shallow. His was not. His was focused. Intentional. Driven.

Dr. Myles Munroe lived 60 years, but he compressed multiple lifetimes into that span. He left behind ideas that still stretch minds and stir spirits. And that, to me, is what greatness looks like.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

Dr. Myles Munroe’s life reminds us that background does not determine destiny. He came from poverty, but he did not think poor. He trained his mind to see beyond his environment.

He taught that purpose is not something you chase. It is something you discover. And once discovered, it demands discipline. He lived that discipline daily.

His death was tragic, but his life was powerful. The plane crash may have ended his physical journey, but it did not end his influence.

When I reflect on meeting him, what stays with me is not just his knowledge. It was his conviction. He believed what he taught. That authenticity is rare.

On Monday, February 23, 2026, as we honor his memory, we are not just remembering a preacher. We are remembering a thinker, a builder, and a man who dedicated his life to awakening purpose in others.