Original Memory Book for Michael Allen

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A Life in Pursuit of God’s Perfect Will | Michael F. L. Allen | 1

I worship thee, sweet will of God! And all thy ways adore; To every day I live, I seem To love thee more and more.

Man’s weakness, waiting upon God, Its end can never miss, For men on earth no work can do More angel-like than this.

Ride on, ride on, triumphantly, Thou glorious will, ride on!

Faith’s pilgrim sons behind thee take The road that thou hast gone.

He always wins who sides with God, To him no chance is lost; God’s will is sweetest to him, when It triumphs at his cost.

Ill that he blesses is our good, And unbless’d good is ill; And all is right that seems most wrong, If it be his sweet will.

F. W. Faber

2 | Michael F. L. Allen | A Life in Pursuit of God’s Perfect Will

A Life in Pursuit of God’s Perfect Will | Michael F. L. Allen | 3

I worship thee, sweet will of God! And all thy ways adore; To every day I live, I seem To love thee more and more.

Man’s weakness, waiting upon God, Its end can never miss, For men on earth no work can do More angel-like than this.

Ride on, ride on, triumphantly, Thou glorious will, ride on!

Faith’s pilgrim sons behind thee take The road that thou hast gone.

He always wins who sides with God, To him no chance is lost; God’s will is sweetest to him, when It triumphs at his cost.

Ill that he blesses is our good, And unbless’d good is ill; And all is right that seems most wrong, If it be his sweet will.

F. W. Faber

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A Life in Pursuit of God’s Perfect Will | Michael F. L. Allen | 5

The Beginnings M

ichael was the son of pastor/ evangelist F. Edward Allen and Velma Allen nee Archer.

He also had a sister, Ferne, who was a few years older than him.

His early life was a wholesome one filled with Sunday school, camps, conferences, church meetings, and Sunday visits to the grandparents house on Shirley Street.

He thought it was good to have been brought up in the context of the church. Growing up, He gave his heart to the Lord a number of times at the various church meetings and Christian camps. This fact begs the question, when did regeneration really happen?

When asked, he would state he was not sure of the exact date, but he does know it was confirmed on many occasions. By the time he was in The Government High School his trajectory was set – he identified as ‘Christian’. He graduated Government High in 1973.

I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 8:12

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Foothills of the Allegheny Mountains Time for contemplation and growth

Search for Reality M

ike attended Houghton College after High School. Houghton was a Christian liberal arts and science college with a reputation for tough academics. He obtained a degree in Education and Psychology. And later a Master of Science in Counseling and Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Houghton, nestled in the scenic Allegheny Mountains with its many forests and creeks, was perfect for internal contemplation. His nature was sensitive and honest and he knew Sunday school Christianity would never meet the real challenges of life. Christianity must prove itself real. He was challenged with the question of who was he? What should a Christian lifestyle be? How did he meet life in a meaningful way?

Houghton was populated by a number of Christian professors who introduced him to Christian apologetics. Some answers to his questions were provided but he was concerned about more than just answers.

What about the practical dimension the communication of truth through lifestyle.

The spirit life. He spoke of being challenged at College about his own perspectives and attitudes and he has noted that it was here that he learned that Christian love was dying to self and serving others. He spoke of getting a book for a friend in freezing weather, trekking through steep cliffs and snow and delivering the book and understanding this was Christianity at the core. Obedience to the Lord and service for others.

A Life in Pursuit of God’s Perfect Will | Michael F. L. Allen | 7

Quest Ended , A Twist In the Road & The Nature of Evil AQUEST ENDED. While the time at Houghton represented a period of growth, dissatisfaction lingered. On a driving excursion in the United States he was listening to Christian radio and heard John MacArthur, a pastor out of Panarama City, California. He was teaching scripture authoritatively and giving the answers to life’s questions from the scripture itself. This was revolutionary for Michael. The answers to all of life’s issues were indeed in the book that the Creator had given to his creation.

A natural teacher, Mike embraced with vigor a lifelong pursuit of the study of scripture. On his return home he drew the young men in his father’s church together and they listened to John MacArthur, studied the scriptures, and taught others.

A TWIST IN THE ROAD On return home from Houghton he taught elementary school for a few years. This was however not to be a settled career. His naturally analytical mind led him to the study of law. At 26 he headed off to Buckingham, England to study law.

TRAGEDY STRIKES As he entered The University of Buckingham, he had to make an abrupt departure. His only sister Ferne, known for her love and gentleness, was

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tragically murdered along with her husband in Philadelphia, leaving behind their daughter, 8 month old Lisa.

THE NATURE OF EVIL The horror of the event did not shake his belief in God. The answers were in scripture itself.

Cain killed Abel an utterly senseless event.

God allows evil because it ‘is’. It is the result of rebellion against the will of God. But, it will be resolved because God will ultimately destroy all evil as laid out in scripture. Again, scripture proved itself to be sufficient.

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

Marriage, Ministry Work

D

uring his time in England, Mike met Melanie who was also studying law. They married in 1988. After graduating and moving home to Nassau, she worked at the Attorney General’s office and he worked for a time at McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes. These were years of intense work along with commitment to youth ministries at his father’s church. He taught Sunday school and established a church youth Orchestra. He also served on the executive board of the 30th Company Boys Brigade. They had a daughter, Mikala in 1996, and he was also uncle and father to Lisa who was being brought up by his parents next door to their home.

SOUTH HAVEN CREATED When his daughter Mikala was five years old, in 2001, Mike created South Haven Christian Academy. A unique learning and developmental environment. It featured

the Abeka curriculum and was driven by pre-recorded DVDs. Melanie assisted with the operation of the school. The school was designed to be a haven in the south for the crucial developmental years for parents who desired a unique Christian school experience for their children.

INTENSE LEGAL PRACTICE He practiced law for over 30 years, with a wide range of experience in civil, commercial and corporate law. While a partner at Higgs & Johson he became heavily involved in an Avation practice which led him to sit on several Government Boards.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Eph 2:10

Two pilgrims in a boat, knitted together from eternity past

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THE UNEXPECTED However, in January of 2020 at 62 years of age, after a routine colonoscopy, Mike was diagnosed with Stage four colon cancer, metastasized to the liver and lungs. With his usual calm assurance of God’s sovereignty and divine will for his life, he took the news in stride. During this time, he also took on the appointment of Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas. He took on the position with vigor until he passed into eternity on July 2nd, 2021.

COMMENTARY ON HIS LIFE His life was a rare one. He was often misunderstood because of his unrelenting pursuit of obedience in his own life which gave unusual wisdom and perception into life and its unfolding. He was fearless in stances and positions because he knew God and feared Him only. God gave him beauty of body and spirit and few were the child or adult who could resist the attraction of his person. His was a total and complete life given over to the pursuit of God and His Word. The void that is left behind is unspeakable.

Melanie

THE SECRET OF HIS CALM

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for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Phil 1:21-22

The Obituary

Mr. Michael Allen – Born March 1st, 1957 - Died July 2nd, 2021

His Survivors include: Wife: Melanie Allen Daughter: Mikala Allen Niece/Providential Daughter: Lisa Newman Nephew-in-law: Orrin Newman Mother-in-law: Violet Pintard Brother-in-law: John Pintard Sister-in-law: Cindy Pintard Niece & Nephew: John & Gabrielle Pintard Grand Niece & Nephew: Leah Newman, John Pintard III Numerous Aunts, Uncles, & Cousins: Tezel Butler, Dawn Taylor, Gisella Allen, Paul & Ellen Allen, Dr. David & Victoria Allen, Pastor Rex Major, Dr. Christian Allen, Dr. Andreas & Graziella Schuab; John & Keri Taylor; David Allen Jr.; Don Jevon Taylor; Jewel Major; Gem Dickens; Jasmin & Byron Rogers; Jade & Dr. Don Bryan, Dr. Marie Carrol; Anya & Pascale Allen; Angela Archer, Florinda Clarke, Valarie Smith, Anthony Archer, Fr. Delano & Agatha Archer; Lambert Archer, Persephone McQuay; Rosamond Stubbs; Lambert Archer; Angela MJ Archer; Diane Dean; Drs. Godfrey and Gerry Pinder; Melanie Farrington; Rev. Dr. Colin & Marjorie Archer; Donald & Deborah Archer; Albert & Alexandria Archer; Robert & Marjorie Archer; Sir Baltron & Lady Helen Bethel; Rev. Philip & Yvonne Bethel; Pastor Gil May- cock; Donnalee Maycock; Austin & Iris Knowles; Dr. Ronald & Gwendolyn Knowles; Joan & Fred Albury; Sonia Forbes; Yvette Knowles; Lynn Archer Extended Friends & Family – Captain Charles Smith (Faithful Friend); Faith Roxbury; Beverly & Dr. Leslie Culmer; Dellareese Edgecombe; Rose Richardson; Pauleen King; Joyce Mackey; Carlton & Shareese Bowe and family; David & Mizpah Cartwright and family; Ken & Judy Tucker; Kim Minors; Denny & Sue Schaffer; South Haven Christian Academy; Lorraine Symonette-Armbrister; Joel & Beulah Bandaru Special thanks to The Oncology Center, Dr. Turnquest, Dr. Agreta Eneas-Carey, and the nurses of Blessed Beginnings for their wonderful medical care, and the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas Management Team & Staff as well as the church family of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk, especially Mike’s special ‘Life on Life’ group.

A Life in Pursuit of God’s Perfect Will | Michael F. L. Allen | 11

Memorial Service Musical Selection | “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

Sanje Fountain, South Haven Graduate 2021 Entrance of Colour Party & Advance Guard | 3 0th Company of Boy’s Brigade

Led by Captain Charles Smith, Faithful Friend Call to Worship & Prayer Approach | Pastor Bryn MacPhail

Senior Pastor, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk

Congregational Hymn | “The Solid Rock” My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus name.

His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

Chorus On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

When he shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.

When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.

Prayer | Reverend Alfred Stewart

Chapel Speaker for Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas

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Congregational Hymn | “Be Still My Soul” Be still, my soul! The Lord is on thy side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to your God to order and provide; In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul! Your best, your heavenly friend Thro’ thorny ways lead to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul! The hour is hastening on When we shall be forever with the Lord, When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul! When change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul! Your God doth undertake To guide the future as He has the past.

Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul! The waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul! The hour is hastening on When we shall be forever with the Lord, When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul! When change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Comments | Phil Dunkley

Senior Partner, Higgs & Johnson

David Cartwright

Pastor, Abundant Life Bible Church, Long-Time Friend Soloist | “The Lord’s Prayer” Mrs. Rose Richardson, Long-Time Family Friend Scripture Reading | 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 | Orrin Newman, nephew-in-law Congregational Hymn | “He Leadeth Me! O Blessed Thought” He leadeth me! O blessed thought!

O words with heavenly comfort fraught!

Whate’er I do, where’er I be, Still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me!

Chorus He leadeth me, He leadeth me,

By His own hand He leadeth me: His faithful foll’wer I would be, For by His hand He leadeth me.

Lord I would clasp Thy hand in mine, Nor ever murmur nor repine, Content, whatever lot I see, Since ‘tis Thy hand that leadeth me!

And when my task on earth is done, When, by Thy grace, the vict’ry’s won, E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee, Since God thro’ Jordan leadeth me!

Sometimes ‘mid scenes of deepest gloom, Sometimes where Eden’s flowers bloom, By waters still, o’er troubled sea, Still ‘tis His hand that leadeth me!

Sermon | Pastor Bryn MacPhail Prayer of Thanksgiving & Intercession | Pastor Bryn MacPhail

A Life in Pursuit of God’s Perfect Will | Michael F. L. Allen | 13

Congregational Hymn | “Jesus Shall Reign” Jesus shall reign where’er the sun Does its successive journeys run: His kingdom spread from shore to shore, Til moons shall wax and wane no more.

People and realms of every tongue Dwell on His love with sweetest song, And infant voices shall proclaim Their early blessings on His name.

To Him shall endless prayers be made, And endless praises crown His head: His name like sweet perfume shall rise With every morning sacrifice.

Let every creature rise and bring Honor and glory to our King; Angels descent with songs again, And earth repeat the loud Amen

Music Video (Mike’s favorite song) | “Callin Me Home” | By Barry McGuire Benediction | Pastor Bryn MacPhail Recessional Hymn | “Crown Him with Many Crowns” Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne; Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns All music but its own: Awake, my soul, and sing Of Him who died for thee, And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.

Crown Him the Lord of life, Who triumphed o’er the grave, And rose victorious in the strife For those He came to save.

His glories now we sing, Who died, and rose on high, Who died eternal life to bring, And lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Son of God, Before the worlds began, And ye who tread where He hath trod, Crown Him the Son of Man; Who ev’ry grief hath known That wrings the human breast, And takes and bears them for His own, That all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of lords, Who over all doth reign, Who once on earth, th’incarnate Word, For ransomed sinners slain, Now lives in realms of light, Where saints with angels sing Their songs before Him day and night, Their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of love, Behold His hands and side, Those wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified.

No angel in the sky Can fully bear that sight, But downward bends his wond’ring eye At mysteries so bright.

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Psalm 103:15-16 “As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer.”

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Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”

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1 Peter 1:17 “If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;”

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1 John 2:17 “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”

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Dare You Ask? What does it mean ‘ to live is Christ and to die is gain?’

Excerpt from The True Estimate of Life by G. Campbell Morgan

“Now let me ask you to finish this theme for yourself.

Imagine that you have in your hand a clean piece of paper, and write on it for yourself—God help you!

—take the pencil and write! Write the story of your life, honestly, faithfully, truly, in as brief a sentence as Paul wrote the story of his. Write:

“To me to live is—money.”

Now, be honest, in God’s name. If you have played the hypocrite before, do not do it now. Write it down, not for man’s eyes, but for God’s. ”To me to live is money.” If that is true, put it down.

“To me to live is pleasure.”

“To me to live is fame.”

Oh, fill them in for yourself!

Now you have it written, your life’s story. You never looked it squarely in the face like that before. There it is, right in front of you, the self-evident truth, the inner meaning of all your life.

Now finish it. Write under it what Paul did. That is your estimate of life; now add Paul’s estimate of death: “To me to live is money; to die is—I cannot write ‘gain’ after that. To die is loss. I shall leave it all.

Naked came I out of my mother’s womb; naked shall I return there- unto.” “To me to live is pleasure; to die—oh! do not talk to me about death! It is the last thing I want to think about. I want my pleasure, my laughter, this hollow crackling of thorns under a pot; ‘tis all I have! Let me have it, but in God’s name do not talk about death. Why, man, I do not like to walk down the street in the dark because I think of death. I cannot write that.”

“To me to live is fame.” Now, finish it. “And to die no, I cannot. For if they put my name on a marble

monument, directly it is erected, nature, with mossy fingers will begin to pull it down. I cannot write that. To die is to perish, to be forgotten! What is fame when I am gone? I cannot write it.”

No, beloved, and you cannot write Paul’s estimate of death after anything except Paul’s estimate of life. If,

by God’s great grace, you can write, ”To me to live is Christ,” you can write, “To die is gain.” To die is to see Him more clearly, to be closer to Him, to enter into larger service for Him, to touch the height and the depth and the length and the breadth of His life; “to die is gain.” You can only write it if you write the first.

Somebody else says: “Well, I have never written the first; can I start?”

Yes.

“Where can I start?”

Where he (Paul) started.

“Where did he start?”

“Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” That is it. Will you say that?

“Yes, we will do it. Is it easy?”

No, it is not easy. The cross is there, crucifixion is there, the ending of self is there, the abandoning of everything, of hope, and wife, and child, and home, and friends, and ambition, all is there. “Lord—I have had other lords —Lord, I have been governed by self, I have been governed by human loves, I have been mastered by passions, I have been swept along by ambitions; Lord, Nazarene, depose these other lords and be King.”

That is the place to begin; and there is not a man or woman who begins there honestly to whom He will not come with healing on His wings, the sun rising; then the old things for you shall pass away, and all things shall become new.”

A Life in Pursuit of God’s Perfect Will | Michael F. L. Allen | 19

Home Mahanaim Three white rooms side by side, Built to shelter - with views of Sea Sounds of full life - flowing through, Twirling spinning Dare say dancing too?

Encased in each A soul exists, Content to be With minds alike, Listening - with quiet reserve Always in - sweet harmony ~Mikala D.R. Allen~

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PEACE ON LOCK I coined a phrase for him many years ago that remained true until

the very end. “My Uncle Mike has peace on lock.” He wasn’t bothered when difficulties arose. From the simplest nuisance to the gravest circumstance, he was unshakeable. He knew God and trusted in Him so completely that there could never be a need for worry. He took everything to God. And he did so right then on the spot. There was no action that preceded prayer, no matter how time sensitive a matter may have seemed. He taught me to pray first, to pray often, and to do so right then on the spot as things came up.

He taught me that a person is the sum total of the choices that they make every single day. Every decision matters and obedience to God is the only concern.

Lisa Newman

A Life in Pursuit of God’s Perfect Will | Michael F. L. Allen | 21

Home Mahanaim Three white rooms side by side, Built to shelter - with views of Sea

KCSounds OLof fullNlifeO ECAEP - flowing through, litnu eurt deniamer tahtTwirling oga sraeyspinning ynam mih rof esarhp a denioc I derehtob t’nsaw eH ”.kcol no ecaep sah ekiM elcnU yM“ .dne yrev eht -ric tsevarg eht ot ecnasDare iun tssay elpmdancing is eht mtoo? orF .esora seitlucffiid nehw os miH ni detsurt dna doG wenk eH .elbaekahsnu saw eh ,ecnatsmuc -yreve koot eH .yrrow rof dEncased een a eb in reveach en dluoc ereht taht yletelpmoc noitca on saw ereTh .tops ehtAnsoul o nehexists, t thgir os did eh dnA .doG ot gniht evah yam rettam a evitisnes emit woh rettam on ,reyarp dedecerp taht thgir os od ot dna ,nefto yaContent rp ot ,tsrfitoybe arp ot em thguat eH .demees .pu emac sgniht sa tops eht no neht With minds alike, yeht taht seciohc eh t fo latot -mwith us ehquiet t si noreserve srep a taht em thguat eH Listening si doG ot ecneidebo dna srettam noisiced yrevE .yad elgnis yreve ekam .nrin ecn-osweet c ylnoharmony eht Always ~Mikala namwD.R. eN aAllen~ siL

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In Appreciation We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our family, friends and colleagues for your support during our time of sorrow. Your prayers, telephone calls, condolences and other sympathetic gestures gave us strength and courage to carry on.

May God continue to bless you.

The Family

Provided by SIDDA Communications Group Tel: 394-BOOK (2665) Mobile: (242) 818-3478 Email: info@siddagroup.com Nassau, N.P. Bahamas

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