Uncle John loved university missions, when the Christian gospel would become a talking point for students across the campus. He taught the Bible, night by night, often to large crowds, addressing questions like ‘Who is Jesus?’ and ‘Why did he come to earth?’ and ‘What does he demand?’
He also answered questions the students raised. They wanted to know what Christianity had to do with science or philosophy or the environment. Uncle John listened carefully to each question. Then through gentle reasoning, he showed the students what the Bible said about these areas. A very similar pattern for university missions still exists now.
Always, always, always the cross of Christ was at the centre of his message. John Stott didn’t just want students to know what the Bible taught on this area or that one. He wanted students to come to Christ, truly sorry for their sin, and to find forgiveness, and a living faith, as he had at Rugby School.
