By IANTHIA SMITH, Guardian Staff Reporter

ianthia@nasguard.com

The country has lost a leader who not only inspired others to give their best, but one who led by example, with the passing of Adventist leader Dr Keith Densel Albury.

In a reflective speech at the thanksgiving and praise service for Dr Albury on Sunday, Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), Hubert Ingraham, said Dr Albury, who was the President of The North Bahamas Mission of Seventh-Day Adventists, was a proactive, engaged and involved pastor who, when it came to matters that impacted his congregation, was always plain-spoken and forceful. "The man whose life we celebrate today, was a vanguard in both faith and commitment," Mr Ingraham said. "His many achievements in so short a life span, are proof positive of this. We know that he left big foot prints in the sands of time, for he was an extraordinarily gifted leader-articulate, knowledgeable and persuasive."

The FNM leader also remembered Dr Albury's many accomplishments to The Bahamas Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists and his contribution to the public sector. "The unprecedented growth of The North Bahamas Mission of Seventh-Day Adventist, speaks more eloquently than any words I can utter about Pastor Albury and his impact in our Bahamas," he added. "We were pleased to have appointed him to The Board of Batelco, so that the public sector could also experience and benefit from his insight and knowledge. And the education and youth services benefited immensely from his input and contribution." He added that with Dr Albury's passing, The Bahamas has lost a valued son, the Adventist Church, a dedicated and visionary leader and his family, a committed husband, father and son.