Day of the Christian Martyr: 7 notable Christian martyrdoms

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Saturday, June 29, 2019

Operation Auca

A plaque honoring martyred missionaries Jim Elliot and Ed McCully displayed at Wheaton College, where they both graduated. | Wikimedia Commons/ Captain Phoebus at English Wikipedia

In 1956, Jim Elliott, Pete Fleming, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, and Roger Youderian attempted to evangelize the Huaorani, an unreached tribal community in the forests of Ecuador.

Known as “Operation Auca,” the missionaries were killed by tribesmen. After they were murdered, members of their family, notably Jim’s wife, Elisabeth, lived and evangelized among the tribes.

“After moving to the village, Elisabeth began to teach the Auca Indians from the Bible. Her forgiveness and acceptance of the tribe are what led them to accept Jesus Christ. She taught them to forgive fearlessly and love tremendously, which forever transformed their way of life,” noted the missions school Bethany Global University.

“One of the first men to receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior, was Mincaye, the man who speared Nate Saint and Ed McCully. After receiving Christ, the tribe renamed itself ‘Waorani,’ turning from their Auca roots — which meant ‘savage’ — to display a powerful message of transformation.”