Cathedral host Rev John Stott memorial service
ON
Tuesday October 18 at 7.30pm Lisburn Cathedral will host the 'Ireland
Memorial Service for Rev John Stott'.
Ken Clarke, (Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh) will lead the service, the Preacher is Chris Wright (International Director, Langham Partnership) and the New Irish Arts will lead the praise.
A retiring collection will be divided between Langham Partnership and London Institute for Contemporary Christianity.
This service will draw a large congregation from across Ireland so an overflow facility in the Cathedral Hall will have a live feed of the service to enabled all who attend to join in with this landmark service of thanksgiving for the life of a remarkable Christian leader. Those attending are encouraged to arrive in good time and to use the public car parks around Lisburn.
John Stott died on 27th July 2011, he was described as "the most respected clergyman in the world" by Billy Graham. He served in All Souls Langham Place in London for over 60 years and wrote over 50 books. He founded Langham Partnership which is dedicated to equipping the teaching of the Christian Faith in the developing world and the "London Institute for Contemporary Christianity" which aims to relate "the ancient Word to the modern world."
He is the acknowledged worldwide leader for evangelicals during the 20th century.
At the International Congress on World Evangelization held in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1974 he was the principal framer of the Lausanne Covenant.
Through his work at Lausanne and for other significant international gatherings he helped to strengthen and unite evangelicals in their witness for Christ.
John Stott described his conversion at the age of 17 with these words: "As a typical adolescent, I was aware of two things about myself, though doubtless I could not have articulated them in these terms then. First, if there was a God, I was estranged from him. I tried to find him, but he seemed to be enveloped in a fog I could not penetrate. Secondly, I was defeated. I knew the kind of person I was, and also the kind of person I longed to be. Between the ideal and the reality there was a great gulf fixed. I had high ideals but a weak will.... [What brought me to Christ was this sense of defeat and of estrangement, and the astonishing news that the historic Christ offered to meet the very needs of which I was conscious."
The service is Lisburn Cathedral is one of many memorial services taking place across the world to give thanks for the life and ministry of Rev John Stott.
Ulster Star
14/09/2011
