John Chapman, Sydney’s leading evangelist for more than 50 years, passed away in hospital on November 16 2012 at the age of 82.
‘Chappo’, as he was affectionately known, was converted in his teens and was active in youth ministry. Following a stint as a manual arts teacher, he spent a year in Moore College and was ordained in the Diocese of Armidale in 1957. After a challenging curacy in Moree, he was appointed Youth Director for the Diocese in 1960 and then Director of Christian Education (1966-68).
He moved to Sydney and joined the Department of Evangelism, where he was director for more than 25 years. Among his assistants was a young Phillip Jensen, with whom he would later conduct university missions, particularly during the 1970s and 80s.
International ministry
His wide preaching, teaching and writing ministry saw him speaking to groups throughout Australia and overseas, particularly in England where he was a regular visitor.
The Rev. Dick Lucas, retired rector of St. Helen’s, Bishopsgate, called him ‘a dear friend, a marvellously stimulating brother in Christ, a shrewd fellow worker and, of course, a superbly gifted evangelist and teacher. John knew his special calling, and, to his final days, was energetically gospelling and offering to all the possibility of a Fresh Start’.
‘When it was reported that Chapman was on the horizon, morale soared, and requests for his services poured in — this man was a tonic to have around’, Dick Lucas said.
His books, including A Fresh Start, Know and Tell the Gospel, sold in the tens of thousands and helped many with personal evangelism and sharing the gospel.
One of his last duties was to see the establishment of the John Chapman Foundation, to raise money to recruit and train evangelists.
There was a public thanksgiving service at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on November 24.
http://www.sydneyanglicans.net
For more info on the John Chapman Foundation, go to http://www.johnchapmanfoundation.org.au
