With great sadness we must inform you that John Shortt, co-founder of EurECA and longtime Traveling Secretary, went to be with the Lord on April 7.
A thanksgiving service in John’s honor will take place and can be joined online on Friday April 29, at 1 p.m. UK time. Details can be accessed on this website which has been set up as a tribute to our dear friend.
Graham Coyle, Chair of EurECA, writes:
Like many of you, I first met John at a EurECA conference. I liked him immediately, mainly for two reasons. Firstly, because he was Irish and as well as having a wonderful accent, he also possessed a fittingly Irish sense of humour. Secondly, because he was so genuinely interested in me, and the things I was interested in.
I think this is a mark of true, Christlike humility, to enable others to know a sense of value because of your care for them. John knew Jesus in this way, it was obvious through his interaction with others, and was one of God’s great gifts to those around him. He poured his love, knowledge, care and wisdom into so many people in so many situations, though never with a sense of superiority. Learning in John’s eyes seemed to be a corporate experience, something we all participate in together, and he always seemed happy when he was involved in the process.
As a travelling secretary for EurECA he represented a ‘Jesus-perspective’ on education to many, many people across Europe, and also further afield. I expect some of you will have stories of his influence in your lives, and it would be lovely if you could share those with others via the EurECA Facebook page.
This ‘Jesus-perspective’ for John included the whole idea of bringing shalom into and through education. John’s book, Education for Shalom, explained and unpacked John’s ideas regarding this. He was a thoroughly Biblical and radical thinker, who I believe was seeing things ahead of most of us. This was a hallmark of his life, a prophetic capacity to identify and communicate the desires in God’s heart for the massive task of education we are all called into.
The best tribute we can pay to John is to continue doing all we can to educate in a way which reveals God and His loving character. If we do this with humility and humour, we will honour John indeed.