C.T. Studd

Charles Thomas Studd (1860 – 1931)

Charles Thomas Studd, often known simply as C. T. Studd, was a British Christian missionary and former England cricket international whose life became a powerful testimony to wholehearted devotion to the gospel. He was born on December 2, 1860, in Spratton, Northamptonshire, England into a wealthy family. Educated at Eton College and later at Trinity College, Cambridge, he became one of the most notable amateur cricketers of his day, captaining his school and university teams and playing for England in the historic 1882 match against Australia that led to the origin of The Ashes.

While at Cambridge, Studd experienced a profound spiritual conversion under the influence of evangelist Dwight L. Moody. He and six fellow students became known as the Cambridge Seven, a group of young Christians who offered themselves for missionary service with Hudson Taylor’s China Inland Mission. In 1885 they sailed for China, leaving behind promising careers and societal acclaim in order to serve the Lord overseas.

In China Studd met and married Priscilla Stewart in 1888, and together they had four daughters. After poor health forced their return from China, they toured and spoke in Britain and the United States to support missionary endeavours. Studd later served in India and then felt called to pioneer work in Africa. In 1913 he founded the Heart of Africa Mission, an organization that later became known as Worldwide Evangelisation Crusade (WEC International), focused on spreading the Christian message to regions where it had been little heard.

Studd was a prolific writer of devotional literature and poetry. One of his best known pieces is the poem “Only One Life, ’Twill Soon Be Past,” which emphasizes faithful Christian service and has been widely quoted and adapted into hymn form.

Despite ongoing health struggles, Studd continued his mission work in the Congo until his death on July 16, 1931, in Ibambi (then Belgian Congo). His commitment to evangelism and sacrifice of earthly fame and comfort for the sake of the gospel left a lasting impact on global missionary movements, and the organization he helped start continues to operate in many countries today.

Studd’s life remains a vivid example of a man who gave up personal comfort and acclaim to serve his faith with passion and perseverance.