The Rev. John Stott, who led an evangelical resurgence in England and influenced Christians worldwide through his writing and preaching, has died in London. He was 90.

Benjamin Homan, president of John Stott Ministries, told The Associated Press in a phone interview that Stott died Wednesday afternoon, adding that Stott’s health had deteriorated sharply in recent weeks and he had been in severe pain: “His body was just wearing out.”

Stott’s death was announced on the website of All Souls Langham Place, the church he attended as a child, then led as curate and rector after he was ordained by the Church of England in 1945. The church website reported that Stott’s close friends and associates were at his bedside reading Scripture and listening to Handel’s Messiah when he died at his retirement home.

“Vast numbers of us, all over the world, from the African village to the American penthouse feel we have lost a father, a brother, a counselor, a friend, a model, a teacher, a strategist, though deeply thankful we have had the privilege of knowing this holy man of God, this faithful servant of Christ,” wrote Michael Baughen, Stott’s successor as All Souls’ rector in 1975. “His passion was Christ and the cross of Christ and his legacy in his wonderful writings which have fed and continue to feed so many will influence generations to come.”

Stott’s many books were widely read throughout the world for more than five decades and were frequently reviewed and recommended in WORLD. Among his most popular books was Basic Christianity, a primer on the faith that has been translated into more than 60 languages, according to his U.S. publisher, InterVarsity Press.

[Editor’s note: This article is incomplete. The source for this document was originally published on world.wng.org—however, the original URL is no longer available.]

Original story from Christianity Today

John Stott died today at 3:15 London time (about 10:15 a.m. EDST), according to John Stott Ministries President Benjamin Homan.

Homan said that Stott’s death came after complications related to old age and that he has been in discomfort for the last several weeks. Family and close friends gathered with Stott today as they listened to Handel’s Messiah. Homan said that John Stott Ministries has been preparing for his death for the past 15 years. “I think he set an impeccable example for leaders of ministries of handing things over to other leaders,” Homan said. “He imparted to many a love for the global church and imparted a passion for biblical fidelity and a love for the Savior.”

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