C.T. Studd

Charles Thomas Studd , often known as C.T. Studd (1860-1931) was a British missionary. He was one of the Cambridge Seven who decided to become missionaries to China through the China Inland Mission. Charles founded W. E.C International which originally was called The Heart of Africa Mission (1913). He was capped 37 times to played for England as a cricketer.

A visiting preacher convert C.T and 2 of his brothers to Christianity when they were students at Eton .
I got down on my knees and I did say ‘thank you’ to God. And right then and there joy and peace came into my soul. I knew then what it was to be ‘born again’, and the Bible which had been so dry in me before, became everything.

In February 1885 he went to China with the Cambridge Seven(See separate entry) His father died while he was in China and he gave away his inheritance. He emphasiised the life of faith, believing that God would provide for a Christian’s needs. While in China he married Priscilla.

His spirituality was intense and he mostly only read the Bible. He wrote several books. His personal testimony became part of****Fundamentals; A Testimony of the Truth. (1 of 90 documents).

On his return from China he visited his brother, Kynaston in America.

He became a pastor at Ootacamund in Southern India (1900-6).
He spent 15 years in China and 5 in India.

In 1910 he went to the Sudan.
Out of his concern for the lack of Christian faith in Central Africa he set up in 1913 the Heart for Africa Mission (which became Worldwide Evangelisation Crusade (WEC) which became Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ and today is known as WEC International). His speaking on the subject inspired a number of people. HQ for the venture 17 Highland Road, Upper Norwood, South London. Finances were often tenuous but he had the support f Lord Radstock.

In 1913, against medical advice, he went with Alfred Buxton to the Belgian Congo for the first time. He established 4 mission stations in an area inhabited by 8 different tribes He returned to England when Priscilla became ill.
He returned to the Congo in 1916 when she had recovered sufficiently to undertake the expansion of the mission into the WEC with workers in South America, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa
He built up an extensive missionary outreach based on his centre at Ibambi in Budu territory. She made a short visit to the Congo in 1928, she died in 1929. C.T. was joined by his daughter Pauline, son-in law Norman Grubb and grandson Noel who died on his first birthday. His daughter married Alfred.

In 1931, still working for the Lord C.T died at Ibambi at the age of 70. He died from untreated gallstones. To this day his name is still linked with the evangelisation of the Congo Basin. Norman Grubb wrote CTs biography -it was exceptionally popular.

Only one life 'twill soon past
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
C.T Studd

Source
Wikipedia