I don’t know how he does it – he’s a founding CEO at Revelation TV- one of the very finest of Christian television channels – and, along with his wife, Lorna, is a busy presenter on the station, as well as being responsible for a host of behind-the-scenes activities. Yet, Gordon Pettie manages to set aside the time to carry out the considerable research for a major life-study like this one – having written half-a-dozen books previously.

Cricketer to Christ

'No Sacrifice Too Great' is Gordon’s first to be carried by a major Christian publisher, and is the first serious biography of C. T. Studd to be written in several decades. The hope is that the book will appeal to a whole new generation of believers who know little or nothing about this inspiring missionary figure.

Missionary biographies don’t always make gripping reading. But Gordon’s writing style, attention to detail and decision to only include truly relevant material, ensures that this study keeps the reader’s attention from beginning to end – I literally couldn’t put it down, always curious to discover what happened next!

Missionary life

The life of Charles T. Studd – universally known as C.T. – was unusually intriguing. Born into wealthy English aristocracy in 1860, he became one of the country’s most acclaimed cricketers in his early twenties, in a sport that was then far more popular than football or rugby. A dramatic Christian conversion while studying at Cambridge University in the 1880s, through American evangelists Moody & Sankey, turned Studd’s self-focused life completely around.

A dramatic Christian conversion while studying at Cambridge University in the 1880s, through American evangelists Moody & Sankey, turned Studd’s self-focused life completely around.

Gordon draws selectively from well over a dozen existing books and articles, ably following the ensuing series of events; his family’s shock and disgust that C.T. would abandon his career and fame to spread the gospel; phenomenal public interest in ‘The Cambridge seven’, that band of aristocrat Christian students who decided to turn their backs on materialist values and go to serve as missionaries overseas; C.T.’s arduous labours in China amidst many setbacks, and his marriage to Irish missionary, Priscilla Stewart.

Life of paradoxes

Forced to return to Britain due to serious health concerns, in no time, C.T. is back on his feet and off to India, then Africa, where he eventually settles in a totally unreached area of the Congo. Indeed, he is to spend the remainder of his life there, facing a plethora of insurmountable problems, not least ongoing health problems. But by sheer dogged trust in the faithfulness of God, he sees remarkable success, with hundreds of Africans committing their lives to Christ, and many new mission stations, and scores of new churches, opening up across the wider region.

Studd’s life seems full of juxtapositions; wealthy background contrasted with penury existence on the mission field; celebrity status in Britain contrasted with being viewed with suspicion and even contempt in China; healthy, fit sportsman contrasted with subsequent life of illness and disease. I confess, I was somewhat perplexed by Studd’s decision to give every penny of his millions of pounds of wealth (in current terms) away to other charities; and within no time be forced to pray in every meal and item of need as he and his team were left with nothing.

Studd saw hundreds of Africans committing their lives to Christ, and many new mission stations, and scores of new churches, opening up across the wider region.

Gordon writes well and avoids hagiography – admitting Studd’s weaknesses as well as his undoubtable strengths. One major weakness – C.T.’s authoritarian style and the strictness to which he subjected missionaries who worked for him – resulted in a significant fallout within his team – resulting even in the dismissal of his own daughter and son-in-law (Alfred Buxton), who had served faithfully alongside him for many years.

Ultimate Challenge

But no one is perfect, and what shines forth from this study more than anything is C. T.’s absolute commitment to Christ – implicitly trusting the Lord for everything, and witnessing his answer to prayer in the darkest of moments and most implausible of scenarios.

If Christ was faithful and sufficient to supply all C. T. Studd’s needs, won’t he be and do the same for you and me?

Complete with a cache of rare b&w photos, this is a book, not just to inspire and entertain, but to challenge and strengthen readers in their faith. If Christ was faithful and sufficient to supply all C. T. Studd’s needs, won’t he be and do the same for you and me?

The ultimate challenge of the book is – are we as willing as Studd to surrender our lives utterly and completely into the arms of Christ our Lord?