Resurrection

Sermon synopsis: Jim Elliot (1927–1956) was an evangelical Christian missionary to Ecuador who, along with four others, was killed while attempting to evangelize the Huaorani people through efforts now known as Operation Auca.


He and four other missionaries made contact from their airplane with the Huaorani Indians. After several months, the men decided to build a base a short distance from the Indian tribe, along the Curaray River. There they were approached one time by a small group of Huaorani Indians. Encouraged by these friendly encounters, they began plans to visit the Huaorani, but their plans were preempted by the arrival of a larger group of 10 Huaorani men, who killed Elliot and his four companions on January 8, 1956. Elliot's mutilated body was found downstream, along with those of the other men, except that of Ed McCully.

His journal entry for 28 October 1949, contains his now famous quotation, expressing his belief that missions work was more important than his life.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”