A thanksgiving service for the life of John Chapman is to be held at St Andrew's Cathedral at the weekend.

The Cathedral is expected to be packed for the service on Saturday at 2.30 pm, and the event will be live video streamed on the internet and recorded for later download.

Chappo, as he was known to generations of Sydney anglicans, died on Friday 16th November after a short hospitalisation. He was 82.

Tributes have been paid from around the world, reflecting Chappo's preaching ministry and the popularity of his books such as 'A Fresh Start' and 'Know and tell the Gospel'.

The Rev Dick Lucas, retired rector of St Helen's Bishopsgate in London, called Chappo "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. This made his U.K. visits highly desired and valued" he said.

In a personal letter of tribute, Mr Lucas said "Looking back, I recall another characteristic of Chappo – he was a great encourager of the brethren.  I saw this in Australia at ministers’ meetings where John would always be present putting new heart and humour into everyone there.  On one such occasion, when I was speaking, it was initially unsettling to have him lurking in the back row, making pungent and priceless comments sotto voce, causing a ripple of amusement to spread through the assembled company.  With Chappo in attendance you had to be ready for anything at any time".  

The Irish Church Missions sent a letter of condolence. Its Superintendent, Eddie Coulter, said "The faithful, godly, loving and courageous life and witness to Christ that Chappo's was continues to encourage and inspire many of us in other parts of the world, who have benefitted from his books and lectures and were honoured to meet him personally."

The Presiding Bishop of the Church of England in South Africa, Desmond Inglesby, said "We considered him as a 'great one' and we are indebted to him for his numerous visits to South Africa. He was a remarkable man with unique ministry gifts. As a Christian leader, a committed Bible teacher and a passionate evangelist, his ministry influenced us in many different ways." Bishop Inglesby said. "His books are very popular and widely used in our churches. He was a true brother and friend in Christ, yet at the same time a ‘father-like’ figure, who faithfully taught us Gods word and inspired us to know, and to make Jesus Christ known. We give thanks to God for his life, influence and service to our denomination. We echo the words of King David 'a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel this day'." he said.

Presiding Tributes from Australia as well, Canberra church planter Dave McDonald, himself seriously ill with cancer, blogged "What a privilege to have known Chappo as a brother and friend, and I look forward to catching up with him one day in heaven. In fact, as we spoke with each other (both in hospital) nearly a year ago, I think I said that maybe I’d make it there before him. It wasn’t to be."

McDonald will join others in the congregation at the Thanksgiving Service, testifying to God's work through John Chapman.

His god-daughter, Ruth Barry, recalls a hospital worker seeing all the visitors during Chappo's final days and remarking "Wow, he certainly has a large family" to which she replied "Not bad for an 82 year old bachelor!"

Donations are being taken for the John Chapman Foundation, recently established to recruit and train evangelists. Those who wish to honour Chappo's memory can donate online or at the service.