- Home
- Speakers
- Jim Elliot
- Jim Elliot Quotes
Jim Elliot
Jim Elliot (1927–1956) was an American missionary and preacher whose fervent commitment to sharing the gospel led him to martyrdom among the Huaorani people of Ecuador, inspiring generations of Christians. Born in Portland, Oregon, to Fred and Clara Elliot, he grew up in a devout Plymouth Brethren family with three siblings, embracing faith early through his parents’ example—his father a preacher and his mother a chiropractor who shared Scripture with patients. A standout student at Wheaton College, where he graduated in 1949 with a degree in Greek, Elliot honed his passion for missions, famously writing in his journal, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” In 1953, he married Elisabeth Howard, a fellow Wheaton alum, and together they pursued missionary work with a daughter, Valerie, born in 1955. Elliot’s ministry culminated in Operation Auca, a mission to reach the isolated Huaorani tribe. After arriving in Ecuador in 1952 with the Summer Institute of Linguistics, he served at Shandia, mastering Spanish and Quichua while preparing to evangelize the Huaorani. In 1956, alongside four other missionaries—Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, and Nate Saint—he initiated contact, only to be speared to death on January 8 at age 28. His death, though tragic, sparked a global missions movement, with Elisabeth and others later continuing the work, leading many Huaorani to faith. Elliot’s journals, published as The Journals of Jim Elliot, and his story in Elisabeth’s Through Gates of Splendor, cemented his legacy as a martyr whose sacrifice embodied radical devotion to Christ.
Download
Sermon Summary
Jim Elliot emphasizes the profound truth that true wisdom lies in giving up what is temporary for the eternal. He encourages believers to fully engage in their current circumstances, trusting in God's perfect will, and to live with a sense of urgency and purpose. Elliot's reflections challenge the ordinary Christian life, calling for a bold and active faith that reflects the extraordinary nature of God. He urges believers to seek God's guidance in all things and to be a catalyst for decision and change in the lives of others. Ultimately, he calls for a deeper understanding of God's power and a commitment to live out that faith authentically.
Jim Elliot Quotes
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” “When the time comes to die, make sure that all you have to do is die!” “Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” “Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God.” “God always gives his best to those who leave the choice with him” “Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living.” “Lord, give me firmness without hardness, steadfastness without dogmatism, love without weakness.” “I pray for you, that all your misgivings will be melted to thanksgivings. Remember that the shadow a thing casts often far exceeds the size of the thing itself (especially if the light be low on the horizon) and though some future fear may strut brave darkness as you approach, the thing itself will be but a speck when seen from beyond. Oh that He would restore us often with that 'aspect from beyond,' to see a thing as He sees it, to remember that He dealeth with us as with sons.” “The will of God is always a bigger thing than we bargain for, but we must believe that whatever it involves, it is good, acceptable and perfect.” “Lord, make my way prosperous not that I achieve high station, but that my life be an exhibit to the value of knowing God.” “Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth!” “Wherever you are - be all there.” “If we are the sheep of His pasture, remember that sheep are headed for the altar.” “It makes me boil when I think of the power we profess and the utter impotency of our action. Believers who know one-tenth as much as we do are doing one-hundred times more for God, with His blessing and our criticism. Oh if I could write it, preach it, say it, paint it, anything at all, if only God's power would become known among us.” “Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.” “We are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we profess to know a Power the Twentieth Century does not reckon with. But we are "harmless," and therefore unharmed. We are spiritual pacifists, non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle-to-the-death with principalities and powers in high places. Meekness must be had for contact with men, but brass, outspoken boldness is required to take part in the comradeship of the Cross. We are "sideliners" -- coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged. The world cannot hate us, we are too much like its own. Oh that God would make us dangerous!”
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download
Jim Elliot (1927–1956) was an American missionary and preacher whose fervent commitment to sharing the gospel led him to martyrdom among the Huaorani people of Ecuador, inspiring generations of Christians. Born in Portland, Oregon, to Fred and Clara Elliot, he grew up in a devout Plymouth Brethren family with three siblings, embracing faith early through his parents’ example—his father a preacher and his mother a chiropractor who shared Scripture with patients. A standout student at Wheaton College, where he graduated in 1949 with a degree in Greek, Elliot honed his passion for missions, famously writing in his journal, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” In 1953, he married Elisabeth Howard, a fellow Wheaton alum, and together they pursued missionary work with a daughter, Valerie, born in 1955. Elliot’s ministry culminated in Operation Auca, a mission to reach the isolated Huaorani tribe. After arriving in Ecuador in 1952 with the Summer Institute of Linguistics, he served at Shandia, mastering Spanish and Quichua while preparing to evangelize the Huaorani. In 1956, alongside four other missionaries—Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, and Nate Saint—he initiated contact, only to be speared to death on January 8 at age 28. His death, though tragic, sparked a global missions movement, with Elisabeth and others later continuing the work, leading many Huaorani to faith. Elliot’s journals, published as The Journals of Jim Elliot, and his story in Elisabeth’s Through Gates of Splendor, cemented his legacy as a martyr whose sacrifice embodied radical devotion to Christ.