Something of the regard in which he was held by Billy Graham surfaced at EUROFEST ”˜75 ”“ a 9-day Bible event involving thousands of young Europeans in Brussels. I was programme chairman, and the highlight among the seminars was expected in the session on ”˜Leadership’ to be led by John. However, before breakfast on the morning in question, I was rung up in my hotel by Mr Graham. “I’m concerned,” he said, “that John Stott has been assigned only one of several seminars to speak at. A man of his stature needs to be heard by us all. Would you mind if, at the close of the plenary Bible study this morning, I announced that the John Stott session is to be plenary, that everyone should be present – and that I will chair it myself?” Of course I agreed, and the announcement was duly made. “And,” added Mr Graham, “I want to make sure you all come with a notebook and pen. I too will be coming with my notebook and my pen!” And sure enough he did, scribbling notes throughout the talk, and whispering urgently for more paper as his own supply gave out. You could only be aware that in this, as in other congresses – such as at Lausanne and Amsterdam – Billy Graham and John Stott together were weaving a world-wide network of truth and trust among Bible believers everywhere. “John!” I enthused, “We had a great session with Sammy Escobar this morning!” It was the 1974 Lausanne Conference, and we were taking a break in the countryside. John was driving the car, with a Ugandan leader, Misaeri Kauma (not yet a bishop) in the front passenger seat. Michael Baughen ”“ by then All Souls Rector – and I were in the back. John had not been present at the meeting, and ”“ as he inevitably did when hearing a positive account of any gathering ”“ duly enquired, “And what were the particular emphases that Sammy was making?” I dug poor Michael Baughen in the ribs. “Go on, Michael, you tell him!”
That’s a warm appreciation by Richard Bewes.
I have been listening to a recording of John Stott speaking to the Veritas Forum at Harvard in 1994 ‘Is Jesus Christ Truth for the 21st Century?’ followed by a Q&A session and wondering what was the essence of how he was able to evangelise so many, myself included.
His arguments are good and his biblical backup thorough, but I don’t think that is the essence of how he evangelises – he speaks with such authority and clarity that the listener starts to ask the question ‘can it be true?’ and then Stott details his own conversion experience, and the relationship he found through that with God, and I think that, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, is what opens the listeners up to seeking God with all their heart, mind and soul.