Jim Elliot dedicated his life to his beliefs, even sacrificing his life while trying to bring people to Christ. Although he initially did not start as a missionary in Ecuador, Jim was inspired by missionaries introduced to him by his parents. His passion for spreading the Gospel grew stronger during college, leading him to the mission field where he committed himself to full-time missionary work. Devoted followers of Christ, such as Jim Elliot, are willing to give up everything, including their lives, to reach others, emulating Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
Jim Elliot’s mother initially had concerns about her son’s safety as a missionary in a foreign country. However, Jim remembered that his parents’ upbringing had prepared him for this life. His generous parents allowed their children to go on camping trips alone for extended periods, which taught Jim valuable skills and fostered independence. Through these experiences, he became comfortable living on his own in a foreign country. Moreover, his camping adventures taught him to adapt without modern conveniences, proving useful in the jungles of Ecuador. As a child, Jim also had the opportunity to interact with returning missionaries who visited his home. These visits sparked his interest in missionary life and inspired him to ask questions about their work (Benge, 1999, p. 17).
Jim dedicated his life to preparing for missionary work. He learned about becoming a missionary and attended training camps while in Bible college. Jim also kept a detailed journal about missionary life and spoke to college students about the unequal distribution of resources between the United States and other countries. He emphasized that there was one Christian worker per five hundred people in the US, compared to only one Christian worker per fifty thousand individuals in the rest of the world (Benge, 1999, p. 22). His objective was to motivate students to pursue missions abroad. After graduating, Jim prayed fervently for a missionary partner and reconnected with friends who shared his passion. Although it took time and prayerful searching, he eventually found a committed and dedicated partner.
Jim, accompanied by a partner, fully committed himself as a missionary in Ecuador among the Quichua Indians. His dedication grew stronger and he postponed marriage. Eventually, he married his college sweetheart, Betty Howard, in Ecuador and they started a family together. They embodied Joshua 24:15 from the Bible – their household would serve the Lord.
In Ecuador, Jim encountered an isolated and violent tribe called the Aucas. He was determined to share the Gospel with them and moved with his partners to Palm Beach where this fierce tribe resided. Sadly, their time there was cut short as Jim and his companions were killed by the very people they wanted to reach out to. Despite carrying a concealed gun that day, Jim had made an agreement not to harm those whom they came to share Jesus Christ’s gospel with.
Why would someone be willing to give their life for a cause? Most people do not have the desire to die, but those who passionately follow Christ surrender their own desires and submit to God’s will. This means being obedient to Christ even when faced with death. Jesus Himself prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as You will” (King James Version, Matthew 26:39). Jim Elliot developed a deep love for Christ from a young age and his purpose in life became being a missionary. When he finally had the opportunity to do God’s work in Ecuador, he was willing to sacrifice his life for it. Despite having access to a firearm, Jim chose not to use it, showing his readiness to die for the Lord. There is much wisdom that can be gained from Jim Elliot’s example; as he once said,
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he can not lose” (Elliot, 1958,p.108).
