Born into a Christian family in Scotland, educated in York, called to Christian mission, John Laird travelled to New Zealand as a ship's doctor in 1930. Sometimes he worked there and in Australia as an evangelist, sometimes as a doctor. Always his priorities were certain: 'To tell the truth, my heart is not in my medical work. My heart is in the winning of souls to Christ and in helping those who are young in the faith toa deeper and fuller spiritual life.' He worked through Scripture Union.