IN MEMORY OF JOHN R. W. STOTT (27/4/1921-27/7/2011)

One of the most respected and influential Christian leaders, John Robert Walmsley Stott passed away this morning. Stott has been well known as the key thinker and drafter behind the Lausanne Covenant.   He is the key founder and had been the key leader and figure of Langham Partnership International (http://www.langhampartnership.org/).

One of his best selling books, Basic Christianity is to me one out of two most important books (together with Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship) that has been shaping my Christian perspective. His books have been translated in many foreign languages and sold in million copies. In my seminary teachings, I have been so much benefited from Stott's works.

I met Stott himself and was in a short conversation with him at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS) in September 26, 2002. In the picture, Stott was escorted by Dr. Christopher Sugden and speaking to me and one fellow OCMS scholar. Stott was there as part of his commitment to attend to the Centre for lunch gathering once a year. There he delivered the blessing for all scholars of the Centre. To me personally, John Stott is truly an example of a humble servant of God. Unquestionably, Stott was a fine scholar, a great pastor, a passionate preacher, a brilliant thinker and a respected Christian leader - but he also was someone who had been envisioning the whole Gospel by the whole church to the whole world.

Readers are invited to view the official memorial site of John R. W. Stott at 

http://www.johnstottmemorial.org/