"How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.” - Rom. 10:15b
With the arrival of Pas. Henry Francis, Bahamas Faith Ministries (BFM) got more than a banker who could help draft a sound financial future on paper. Pas. Henry’s contribution to BFM as a minister demonstrates that God sent a Kingdom economic manager whose own accrued currency of faith would make a praiseworthy investment. That deposit continues to reap a unique abundant harvest. Time showed that Pas. Henry's birth into the world signaled a change in Bahamian history that would manifest in distinguished service and award-winning civic duty.
Henry Carlisle Francis was born January 5, 1945 in Nassau and was a resident of the Ft. Fincastle community. He received his early education at Western Junior School and Western Secondary School. From 1957 to 1961, he attended Government High School where he completed his G.C.E O levels exams.
After joining Barclays Bank in 1961, Mr. Francis made great strides through the financial world and was assigned diverse executive-level positions with the Bank, including several managerial posts in the Family Islands. He traveled extensively to complete various specialized banking courses abroad such as Loans Officer, General Management, Bank Instructor, and Commercial Letters of Credit.
Mr. Francis was recognized by Barclays as a renowned lecturer throughout the educational system of New Providence, acclaimed for presentations on banking and banking opportunities. He also was active in the recruitment and training of emerging Bahamian professionals who might be interested in a career in the banking industry.
At First Home/British American Bank, where he served as Assistant Manager and Internal Auditor, he travelled to complete courses in two levels of Internal Audit under the Institute of Financial Managers and also to complete General and Advance Management Courses under the University of Miami extension classes.
As a part of his professional and civic commitment to the Bahamas, he was a speaker at numerous financial conferences and seminars. He provided financial consultation for the success of various charitable and non-profit organizations. Alongside his career in financial services, Mr. Francis was known for serving in multiple roles in Christian ministry including serving as Sunday School Superintendent of Bethel Baptist Church. He has been awarded for his outstanding contribution to youth development at Bethel Baptist and was ordained as a minister in the Church.
Within the Bahamian community, he also served in other roles such as financial consultant to the Gospel Visionaires and as host of the Bahamas Youth for Christ Radio Program. With this ongoing commitment, he made an intentional move to shift his career path from pursuing an MBA to increase his support of emerging spiritual programs in the country. Specifically, in 1980, he partnered with a young Myles Munroe and other community-minded Bahamian professionals and helped draft a sound financial future for Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI).
While continuing his management roles in the banking industry, as one of the founding directors of BFM Fellowship, Pas. Henry Francis became the overseer for altar ministry and spiritual counseling, in addition to being manager of the Accounts Department. He established BFM’s first telephone counseling team to support the Ministry’s evangelism call center. Along with the other founding directors, Pas. Henry also taught Christian foundational classes.
As the years continued, Pas. Henry would continue to manage the extraordinary financial affairs of the expanding global work of BFM, serving as Chief Financial Officer. Pas. Francis’ use of his expertise in financial services as a civic leader remained evident through his involvement in the diverse campaigns of BFM, the Congress of Evangelicals in the Caribbean (CONECAR), and The Bahamas Christian Council. He also continues to give financial consultation to family members and individuals in his community.
Pas. Henry is married to Sheila Cytella Francis (nee Munroe) of Nassau. The couple has been married for over 55 years. They have three daughters, Vania Jasmine, Julie Ann, Cytella Louise and four grandsons, Nathan, Ethan, Jonathan, and Carlyle. Both are pastors at BFM, where Pas. Francis presently serves as Sr. Vice President/Sr. Associate Pastor.
Pas. Henry has been recognized by BFMI with various awards for his outstanding commitment and excellence in leadership. His contribution to the banking industry in the Bahamas is paramount to his commitment to religious education and spirituality in the country, as he has supported Christian evangelism and global outreach from the islands of the Bahamas for over 50 years, as an advisor, counselor, and teacher.