By Nyla Fearn
Addressing hundreds of thousands of people worldwide is a part of the training and lectures presented annually as part of the international ministry and occupation of best-selling author Dr. Myles Munroe, but a recent speaking engagement at a Nashville historically black college fulfilled a dream for him.
Munroe told the crowd gathered at the Fisk University Memorial Chapel for their February Black History Month Leadership Lecture “this evening represents something that has been my dream for more than 20-years. I was invited more than 20-years ago and it didn’t work out”, he said.
From its earliest days, Fisk has played a leadership role in the education of African-Americans. Fisk faculty and alumni have been among America’s intellectual, artistic, and civic leaders in every generation since the University’s beginnings.
Leading up to his Munroe’s presentation, faculty, staff and students were a part of the Black History Month presentation. Sharon Kay, JAZZY 88 General Manager served as MC; Dr. Jason Curry, Dean of the Fisk Chapel gave the Invocation, the welcome from Julian Williams, Mr. Fisk 2013-2014,greetings were extended from Bahamian student Charles Virgil. The young man commented he was “overwhelmed and blessed” to bring greetings because Munroe is his pastor back home in Nassau at Bahamas Faith International.
Munroe was quite surprised by the number of students attending Fisk from the Bahamas. The special Black History presentation billed as “Character in Leadership” brought a cross sector of people to hear the speaker and be a part of the lecture. About 400 people attended.
Also speaking that evening on the topic of leadership was the university’s new president Dr. H. James Williams, introduced by another Bahamian Fisk student Shaune’ Culmer . Williams spoke about 15 minutes on the subject of ‘When you’ve been called to Lead’. He said “when you are called to lead you have to feel it.”
Williams said he and his wife Carole recognized it had to be a calling to come and serve as president and First Lady of Fisk – recognizing the honor and privilege to serve and make sure it’s your calling, not someone else’s.
Quoting Luke 12:48 “to whom much it given much is required, Williams told the young people to be in a position to lead and get in a position to lead, answer the call and have a powerful will to do what needs to be done – we all have the opportunity and responsibility to be leaders.
Kay reminded the audience that “being a leader doesn’t mean you are rich or famous — you may be a school teacher, a volunteer in an organization or work anywhere – let your light shine in a positive way when you are leading others.”
A soul-stirring rendition of Give Me Jesus came from the reigning Miss Fisk Audrey Tillis, who is also a Fisk Jubilee Singer. Dr. Munroe was brought the podium in a thunderous applause and shouts of Amen filled the air.
Munroe introduced his entourage: Linville J. Johnson, director, religious market, Bahamas Tourist Office; Charlie Marsala, director of Bahamas Faith Ministries, South Africa Office and Munroe’s son, Myles, Jr.
Character in Leadership is most important subject about leadership – most institutions neglect ethics; the moral force of leadership, he said. Character matters, this is a critical time in our world when the future of leadership is at stake, said the key not speaker.
“An army of sheep lead by a lion will always defeat an army of lions if they are led by a sheep – the quality of leadership determines the quality of the followers – leadership determines the attitude of the followers, the mentality of the followers, convictions and passion of the followers. Leadership is so powerful it can transform an entire a slave into a master.
Munroe’s trip to Nashville was part of his participation at the 2014 National Religious Broadcasters Conference held at the Opryland Hotel. Munroe was a guest speaker for this year’s event.
He represents his country as the youngest recipient of the Queen’s Birthday Honors of the Order of The British Empire (OBE) Award 1998 bestowed by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of England, for his spiritual and social contributions to the national development of the Bahamas. He has also been honored by the government of the Bahamas with the Silver Jubilee Award (SJA) for providing twenty-five years of outstanding service to the Bahamas in the category of spiritual, social and religious development.
Following the program in the Fisk Chapel the university held a book signing where fans of Munroe where ecstatic to get a chance to meet and chat with him while face-to-face. Many of them remarked how inspired they were hearing all the positive encouragement during the evenings program.
Featured Image Caption: (l-r) Dr. H. James Williams, Fisk President; Mrs. Carole Williams, Fisk First Lady, Sharon Kay, JAZZY 88 WFSK; Dr. Myles Munroe; Dr. Jason Currey, Dean Fisk Chapel