For many years, JUVEP and the Brazilian church was blessed by a great man, Russell P Shedd. Russell Phillip Shedd left us for his eternal reward a few short years back. We rejoice in the Lord for knowing that he, like the Apostle Paul, fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith and reserved for himself the crown of righteousness.
Russell Phillip Shedd: A life of love for the Word of God.
Faithful messenger of the Word, Dr. Russell P Shedd was untiring in his ministry, having traveled all over Brazil as a lecturer and teacher, preaching and lecturing in congresses, churches, seminaries and theological colleges. He was an extraordinary example of a life of love for the Word. Theological literature and teaching in Brazil owe much to the tireless, inspiring and moving dedication of this great servant of God. We pray that we can continue his legacy through the Russell Shedd Theological Seminary.
Russell P Shedd - Early Life and Theological Training
Russell P. Shedd was born in Aiquile, a small Bolivian city, in the year 1929. At the age of ten, he was already speaking Spanish, English and had also learned the local dialect. The seed of his love for the Word grew in his earliest childhood. Then, the boy accompanied his parents, Leslie and Della Shedd, both missionaries, on evangelistic paths through the villages of Bolivia.
In his early teens, he returned with his parents and siblings to the United States. He attended high school at two institutions: Westervelt Home and Wheaton College Academy. After that, the deep thirst for knowledge of the Word leads the young Shedd to an intense journey of courses. First, he studied theology at Wheaton College. There he received a bachelors degree with a specialization in Bible and Greek.
He then decided to undertake a master’s degree in New Testament studies at the Wheaton College Graduate School. Upon completion, he moved to the state of Philadelphia and enrolled at Faith Seminary, where he earned a master’s degree in Theology in 1953. Two years later, at age 25, he earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy at the renowned University of Edinburgh in Scotland. In 1955, he returned to the United States and accepted a teaching position at Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, Alabama. While there he met a student, Patricia Dunn, with whom he was to be married on June 22, 1957.
Russell Shedd's Entry into Ministry
With his eyes and heart turned to missionary work, in 1959 the young couple was sent by the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society (CBFMS) to Portugal. There, Russell Shedd received with grateful satisfaction the assignment of supporting the development of ministry literature. Named “New Life Editions,” this ministry was founded for the purpose of providing basic theological texts and biblical reference works for students, teachers, and pastors.
Three years later, Russell Shedd and the other missionaries noticed that the publishing program had two serious limitations. The books were too costly to print and the weak demand for books in the tiny Portuguese evangelical community. After many prayers and deliberations, the missionaries’ eyes turned to a country on the other side of the Atlantic. This country, Brazil, had a larger and more rapidly growing evangelical community. It also presented the possibility of low production costs. The initial plan was for Russell Shedd to spend two years in Brazil with the goal of implementing an editorial office in São Paulo and then returning to Portugal.
Russell Shedd's Arrival to Brazil
In August 1962, the couple Shedd arrived in Brazil, where he remained without returning to Portugal. After arrival, Dr. Russell Shedd began to teach and inspire love to the Word of God, continuing the ministry of New Life Editions (Edições Vida Nova). He devoted himself wholeheartedly to the study and teaching of the Scriptures. This was both in the area of theological teaching and in the area of publication of gospel books. Gospel books facilitated the understanding and knowledge of the Scriptures, with more than 25 of his own authorship. For a long time he was at the helm of New Life Editions. After becoming president emeritus, he never stopped loving and participating in this work. He also served as a consultant for Shedd Publications. Its influence continues even today. His influence was significant for the leaders and members of the Brazilian church.
At The Baptist Theological Faculty of São Paulo he was a professor of the New Testament and Director of the New Testament and Exegesis Department. He has also taught at other renowned institutions around the world.
We are deeply grateful to God for the wonderful way he used Dr. Shedd. Russell Shedd influenced and impacted everyone he had the opportunity to disciple. Much impact came from his lectures and the many books he has written or edited. His life is a great example for students to follow. All who have known him can only say, together with him, Soli Deo glory!
Russell P Shedd - The End of Great Career
Dr. Shedd passed away the morning of November 26, 2016 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
He leaves his wife, Dona Patricia Shedd, with whom he has been married for 59 years, along with five children (Timothy, Nathanael, Peter, Helen and Joy), 14 grandchildren (Laura, Kelley, Rebecca, Katherine, Leander, Jonathan, Michael, Stephanie, Evelyn, Scott, Susan and Katie) and a great-granddaughter (Izabella).