Jim Elliot

Date of Birth: October 8, 1927

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: January 8, 1956

Biography

Philip James “Jim” Elliot was an evangelical Christian missionary and martyr. Born on October 8, 1927, in Portland, Oregon, Elliot felt a calling to Christian service from a young age. He attended Wheaton College in Illinois, where he met Elizabeth Howard, who would later become his wife. Inspired by a passion to spread the Gospel, Jim Elliot decided to become a missionary and felt particularly called to work with indigenous tribes in Ecuador. In 1952, Jim Elliot and several other missionaries, including Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian, began their mission to reach the Huaorani (also known as Auca) people, a remote and previously uncontacted tribe in the Ecuadorian jungle. The group employed innovative methods, such as using a small plane to make contact by lowering gifts to the tribe. On January 8, 1956, after making initial friendly contact, Jim Elliot and his four companions were speared to death by Huaorani warriors. Their deaths shocked the world but also sparked a wave of missionary work and led to many individuals dedicating their lives to Christian service. Elizabeth Elliot later chronicled their story in several books, including “Through Gates of Splendor,” which has inspired countless Christians globally.

5 Interesting Facts about Jim Elliot

1. Jim Elliot coined the famous phrase, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

2. He was an accomplished wrestler during his college years at Wheaton College.

3. Jim Elliot’s story has been adapted into multiple films, including “End of the Spear,” which was released in 2005.

4. Despite their tragic deaths, the mission work of Elliot and his companions eventually led to many Huaorani people converting to Christianity.

5. Jim and Elizabeth Elliot’s daughter, Valerie Elliot Shepard, was only 10 months old when her father was killed.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jim Elliot

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

2. “When it comes time to die, make sure that all you have to do is die.”

3. “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”

4. “God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.”

5. “Rest in this – it is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call…It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jim Elliot’s work was in the field of missionary service and not in a capacity that generated significant personal wealth. Therefore, discussions of net worth are not applicable.