CT Studd

13 September 2026

By Pastor John - Senior Pastor

How do you measure a life? Charlie Studd grew up amongst people of influence. His father made a fortune in India before returning to England to retire on a large country estate. Charlie was educated at Eton and Cambridge. He lacked for nothing.

He had two brothers and although one of them eventually became Lord Mayor of London, it was Charles who first shot to prominence. All three brothers were exceptional cricketers, but C.T. Studd was the best. His batting average for his club, Cambridge, was 41.84 (If you’re not familiar with cricket, that’s very good). His bowling average was 14.65 (That’s exceptional). He played for England, representing his country in the famous Ashes test of 1882, finishing the historic match ‘not out’. Later that year he was on a tour to Australia. He was the very model of a young Victorian English gentleman.

Then he encountered Jesus. He wrote, ‘Formerly I had as much love for cricket as any man could have, but when the Lord Jesus came into my heart I found I had something infinitely better than cricket. My heart was no longer in the game; I wanted to win souls for the Lord.’

C.T. Studd was true to his word. He gave away a fortune and went as a pioneering missionary to both China and Africa. He had the world at his feet, but he found something better. He said, ‘How could I spend the best years of my life in living for the honours of this world, when thousands of souls are perishing every day.’ O that we might have the conviction and passion of men like C.T. Studd.