Remembering a devoted supporter of A Rocha, and more importantly, a great servant of God and a blessing to a multitude of people around the world.

A couple of days ago, we learned that Rev Dr John R.W. Stott went to be with the Lord, at the age of 90.

We celebrate the life and legacy of this renowned pastor, theologian, and prolific writer. Here at A Rocha we have a very special connection with Dr. Stott, or Uncle John as many would call him. Our international colleagues put this relationship well:

“John passed away, on 27 July, at the age of ninety.

In A Rocha we remember John with great joy and gratitude. When Peter Harris approached John, in the early days of A Rocha, and asked for his support, John insisted that he wanted to be deeply and personally involved – which he was, for the rest of his long life. John was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable birdwatcher and a skilful photographer, who was frequently re-energised, on his worldwide preaching and teaching tours, by a day spent in the field. He was on our Council of Reference, attended supporters’ events, contributed to our videos and was the keynote speaker at our Leaders Forum, in Portugal, in 2003.

But perhaps even more important, for a Rocha, was John’s conviction, clearly articulated in his preaching and writing, that God has given human beings the responsibility to care for the earth on his behalf. When our work began at a field study centre in Portugal, many evangelicals were puzzled by the concept of Christians committing their lives to the study of nature and the protection of threatened habitats. John understood. We have a lost a wonderful friend whose support and encouragement was hugely important to us all. His simple lifestyle, the sheer integrity of his way of living and his clear teaching on all aspects of discipleship inspired many of us, and will continue to do so. We rejoice that after the frustrations of increasing frailty, and considerable pain and suffering, he is now at home with the Lord whom he loved and served so well.” (http://www.arocha.org/int-en/news/top-stories/11313-DSY.html)
Small image: John in his study at The Hookses, his much-loved home in Wales, in 2005. Photo: Melissa Ong

In his final published work, The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling (InterVarsity Press, 2010),  he emphasized yet again that caring for God’s creation is one of these urgently needed Christian callings to be reclaimed, and his fondness for the works and people of A Rocha was very evident.

Besides the important contributions and tremendous influences of Dr. Stott in the Christian world – evangelicals in particular – which even major secular presses noted (New York Times, BBC, etc.), many have shared the ways Dr. Stott had shaped their lives, faith, and ministries. Certainly I am one of them, as I have been influenced heavily, among many other things, by his insistence on “holding” (figuratively, of course!) the Bible in one hand and the newspapers in another while preparing sermons (Between Two Worlds: The Challenge of Preaching Today, Eerdmans, 1982).

Good bye, Uncle John, for now! We will see you again in the New Heaven and New Earth, along with the many people – and of course birds – you loved so much!!!

John R.W. Stott Memorial – http://www.johnstottmemorial.org

Christianity Today coverage – http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/julyweb-only/john-stott-obit.html

A video tribute from Langham Partnership International – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD6JW-RnBQQ&feature=share