FNM Senator Tommy Turnquest hailed Pastor Keith Albury, the late former President of the Bahamas Seventh Day Adventist Conference and the North Bahamas Mission, as a giant of the Christian faith and mission in The Bahamas, who in his role as president, made a positive impact and became an inspiration to Bahamians of all Christian denominations.

Senator Turnquest represented Opposition Leader Hubert Ingraham, at the Memorial Service for Pastor Albury, which was held on Saturday at The Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Mr. Ingraham attended the actual funeral service yesterday, in Grand Bahama.

Pastor Albury recently passed away in a US hospital after a brief illness.

"On behalf of the Leader, Executive Officers, and Members of the Free National Movement (FNM), I wish to offer our deep sympathy to Mrs. Ann Albury, their sons and the family, as they mourn the loss of Pastor Keith Albury," said Senator Turnquest.

"Please be assured that we will pray for your comfort during this very sad and difficult period." Senator Turn-quest noted that when he was given the news of Pastor Albury's passing, he was numbed by the loss of someone he considered to be a role model.

He said his first reaction was one of disbelief, and then came the question "why," as Pastor Albury was still a young man and the country could have benefited so much more from his stewardship.

He went on to think of all the positive things that Pastor Albury has done in this country, and the impact that he had on his life. Senator Turnquest said he felt privileged that he got the opportunity to get to know him, and to appreciate him.

"Here was a man who, despite his young age, garnered the confidence of The Bahamas Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, and maintained the support of those giants in the Conference, most of whom were many years his senior; yet they stood with him and allowed him to lead the flock, which he did effectively and he has left his mark," the former Opposition Leader said.

"Pastor Albury was smart. He was articulate. He had vision. He was organised. He never compromised his high standards or principles. He was the type of man that you can be proud to tell your son to emulate."

Mindful of the fact that the Memorial was not a political event, Senator Turnquest made it clear that he never knew what Pastor Albury's politics was, nor was it ever important that he knew. He said what he did know, was his position on matters of national importance - his support of ideals, programmes and people.

Senator Turnquest pointed out that Pastor Albury's acclaimed scholarship, outstanding leadership, and his personal integrity, gained for him the respect and admiration of thousands of Bahamians. He said wherever he went, Pastor Albury's powerful and insightful messages from the pulpit helped to inspire and to motivate those very Bahamians along paths of civility, decency and good citizenship, in that, he played an important role in the great task of nation building.

"The Bahamas as we know it, and as Pastor Albury knew it, is changing," Senator Turnquest continued. "We now live in a time of deteriorating values, and emerging threats to our way of life.

"These are times when all social partners are called upon to lead by example and cultivate an environment in which to create a kinder, gentler, and more caring community of concerned Bahamians who are indeed their brothers' keepers."