The Rev. Dr. Robert C. Sturdy
The Rev. Dr. Rob Sturdy has been the Anglican Chaplain to the Corp of Cadets at St. Alban’s Anglican Chapel at the Citadel, Charleston, from July 2017 to the present. He served as Associate Rector at St. Andrew’s, Mt. Pleasant from 2012 to 2017 and served as the Rector at Trinity Church, Myrtle Beach from 2008 to 2012. Prior to becoming their Rector, he served as their Curate from 2006 – 2007. Sturdy teaches in the DMin program at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA. He is an active participant on the leading edge of international scholarship in the area of historical theology. He and his wife, Stephanie, have been married since 2005. They have two children.
From his profile:
“The Gospel teaches us that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. But it is important to remember that God still loves the world and continues to demonstrate an enduring expression of His love for the non-Christian world. Evangelism and apologetics have been constant companions in my ministry and my preaching style is directed as much to non-Christians as to Christians. A rival passion to that of evangelism is the training of leaders, particularly in the realm of theological formation.”
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The Rev. Dr. Robert C. “Rob” Sturdy
Date of Birth: April 26, 1981
Family: Married to Stephanie, since 2005; Children, David (13) and Genevieve (10)
Current Position: Chaplain of St. Alban’s Anglican Chapel at The Citadel, Charleston, SC.
Personal Reflection on Ministry Highlights: My most rewarding experiences in ministry have not been in church, but in the woods with the homeless, or in the hospital with the dying, in the counsellor’s office with the victim, with young people I was mentoring for ministry or theology, or in the café or college campus with the skeptic. In these moments disciples can have the transcendent experience of God giving the words that need to be said (Matt 10:19) and being made capable of kindness, compassion, and suffering that transcends natural ability (Gal 5:22-23). These are the moments that are most precious to me, and the one’s I’m most grateful for.
Where I experience passion in ministry: Jesus said that he came “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). The lost we find in the Gospels are the moral failures (Luke 7:36-50), the traitors (Luke 19:1-10), the sick (Matt 8.1-4), the vulnerable (John 8:1-11), the desperate and downtrodden (Matt 9.36), among others. These are the castaways of church and society. Jesus exhibited a passion for such people that could not be extinguished, even by the cross. Jesus still has a passion for such people, and shows this through his body, the church. I experience passion in ministry when the passion of Jesus burns in me and the church to seek and save the very same people he has always shown special affection for.
Past Work Experience: Associate Rector, St. Andrew’s, Mt. Pleasant, (2012 – 2017); Director, Ridley Institute (2012-2017); Rector, Trinity Church, Myrtle Beach from (2008 to 2012); Curate, Trinity Church, Myrtle Beach, (2006 – 2007). Teaches the Systematic Theology Portion of the DMin program at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA. (2019-Present). Affiliated Researcher at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit in Leuven, Belgium (2020-Present). Senior Researcher at the Institute for Post-Reformation Studies (2020-Present). Junior Researcher at the Institute for Post-Reformation Studies (2015-2020).
Published Author:
Sturdy, Robert. Freedom from Fatalism: Samuel Rutherford’s (1600-1661) Doctrine of Divine Providence, Reformed Historical Theology Vol. 68. Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2021.
I have contracted with Reformation Heritage Books to help with the publication of the first complete edition of Samuel Rutherford’s works, including the first English translations of his Latin works of scholastic theology. I’m responsible for Vol. 8, the English translation of his Disputatio Scholastica de Divina Providentia. Forthcoming, 2026.
Educational Background: Ph.D. in Historical Theology from the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit in Leuven Belgium, Dissertation: “Freedom from Fatalism: Samuel Rutherford’s (1600-1661) Doctrine of Divine Providence in Reference to its Scholastic Nature, Medieval Background, and Context in Early Modern Thought;” Master of Theology from the Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando FL, a Bachelor of Theology from Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford; BA in English Literature from the Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina
Diocesan or Church Service: Leadership Team of Kardia, Church Planting Network for the Diocese of the Carolinas, (2021-2017); Examining Chaplains, Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina (2007 – 2011); Executive Council, Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina (2007 – 2012); Board of Directors, The Mission Society (2008 – 2010); Chaplain to Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford Intercollegiate Christian Union (2003 – 2006)
Personal Interests: I enjoy going on evening walks and coffee dates with my wife, Stephanie. I’m an avid reader. I paint, play the guitar, surf, cycle, and rock climb. I have a weakness for Cajun food. I’m obsessed with Outlaw and Cosmic Country. Like many parents, I cherish time with my children.
Learn more about the Rev. Dr. Rob Sturdy by watching the Walkabout videos.