Died: Russell Shedd, Brazil’s Top Evangelical Theologian

The longtime missionary’s resources trained generations of pastors and leaders.

Only a few Christian leaders in South America have won as much unanimity in life as pastor, theologian, missionary, teacher, writer, and lecturer Russell Phillip Shedd, who died last weekend in São Paulo, Brazil, where he lived and served for more than 50 years. Shedd was 87 and died of complications from cancer.

Missionary work ran deep in his veins his entire life. Shed was born in Bolivia to American transcultural missionary workers and took interest in evangelism at an early age. After completing his studies and becoming an ordained Baptist minister, Shedd spent three years in Portugal with the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society (CBFMS) before moving to Brazil, where he began a notable ministerial and academic career

Shedd collaborated for the growth of the evangelical church in Brazil not only as a preacher and a speaker, but also as a writer. He founded Edições Vida Nova (New Life Publishing House), one of the best-known Brazilian publishers for theological resources and other Christian reference books. Through this publisher, Shedd shaped the theological formation of most of Brazil’s 200,000 pastors.

As the author of more than 20 titles, Shedd became a beloved and respected personality by churches of all theological currents, ecclesiastical organizations, and missionary agencies. He was a columnist of renowned evangelical publications in Brazil and abroad, including Christianity Today Brazil (Cristianismo Hoje).

Shedd is remembered for the orthodoxy of his faith, for the sweetness of his temperament, and for his unassailable conduct. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to the teaching of the Scriptures. His in-depth knowledge of the biblical languages led him to serve as a consultant …