By STAFF WRITER, Nassau Guardian

Bahamas Faith Ministries Senior Pastor Dr. Myles Munroe is appealing to men to return to their vital role as fathers in our nation, and embrace not only their own children, but all the sons and daughters of our communities.

His plea was made recently at the launching of the All-Pro Dad show, an international organization that focuses on restoring the value of fathers in family and nation- building.

"The state of escalating crime, violent murders, depressing daily news from the courts, school fights, gang warfare and the still menacing drug use, are all cause of deep concern for all Bahamians," said Munroe. "The government, the church, civic groups and corporate organizations are all grappling with what to do to stem the tide of social destruction and disintegration."

According to Munroe, experts and social scientists have concluded and agreed that one of the principal sources of the wave of social disintegration is the state of the family. Most also believe that the state of the family is a result of the deficiency in the male's role in the home and the lack of fathering.

"More than virtually any other factor, a biological father's presence in the family will determine a child's success and happiness." said Munroe, the newly-appointed head coach of the national chapter.

Quoting from a Time Magazine study on fatherhood in the western world, he noted that 49 percent of all children live without their biological fathers, up from the 17.5 percent that was the statistic in the 1960s. And in The Bahamas he said that 70 of all babies born in the public hospital are outside of a marriage.

The Bahamas All-Pro Dad is a national, volunteer organization comprised of committed men and fathers and supported by mothers, which aims to foster a closer bond between fathers and their children and the strengthening of the family.

The program provides support, education and intervention programs for teens, fathers and mothers, in partnership with government agencies, corporate Bahamas, international organizations, civic groups and community-minded persons and organizations.

Bahamas All-Pro Dad programs include All-Pro Dad's Day, Students Shout it Out! Father and Kids Experience and Bahamas All-Pro Dad Huddles (Workshops).

Their core values are honesty, respect, commitment, confidentiality, selflessness and being purpose-bound, and members are screened before admission and trained, according to organizer Kirk Johnson of the association which is affiliated with All-Pro Dad chapters in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

During the All-Pro Dad event, Munroe also released his new book, "The Fatherhood Principle".