The Five Martyrs of Ecuador

Jim Elliot and his four coworkers (Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, and Pete Fleming) went to Ecuador to bring the gospel to an unreached tribe. Tragically, they were speared to death by the locals and became martyrs for the faith. When the attack occurred, though they carried guns, they did not fight back—only fired into the air to warn—because the natives are not ready for heaven, they were.^[1]

After their sacrifice, Jim Elliot’s wife and a relative of another martyr courageously continued the mission in Ecuador. Motivated by love and forgiveness, they entered the very tribe that had killed their loved ones and lived among them. Eventually, most of the tribe came to believe in Jesus.^[2]

One of the men who had personally killed a missionary was named Mincaye. He later repented, came to faith in Christ, and experienced a radical transformation—eventually becoming a pastor.^[3]

Trevin Wax, “Guns and Martyrdom,” Desiring God, January 6, 2016, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/guns-and-martyrdom.
“Jim Elliot,” Wikipedia, last modified April 1, 2025, accessed July 24, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Elliot.
“Mincaye,” Wikipedia, last modified July 2025, accessed July 24, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mincaye.

2 months ago

The special angel mentioned in the Bible

The term “angel” in the Bible typically refers to a higher-order, personal spiritual being created by God.

However, there is one “angel” who is exceedingly unique: He not only acts with divine authority but also speaks in the voice of God, and is described in ways that align with God's own identity (see Exodus 20:21-23; Exodus 33:2; Exodus 33:14-15; Numbers 20:16; Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 13:6, Judges 13:21-22).

According to Colossians 1:15, we have ample reason to believe that this extraordinary “angel” is in fact the second person of the Godhead—Christ Himself (see also 2 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 1:3).^[1]

John N. Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 40–66, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1998), 607.

2 months ago

Examples of missionaries using alternative foods in place of bread and wine for communion under special circumstances

Among Inuit Christian communities in the Arctic, believers have used fresh seal heart as the bread for communion.^[1]

In some remote churches in Irian Jaya (West New Guinea), Indonesia, missionaries and local believers have used roasted sweet potato pieces as a substitute for the communion bread, and red berry juice or even plain water in place of wine.^[2]

Sermon:Love Makes Good Impressions

This was my first time preaching in English, and it took place at NGCC Church. On the night before, I felt a strong attack from the devil—I had no strength and felt unable to share. But whenever I prayed, strength slowly returned; whenever I stopped praying, the strength would drain away. This continued until Sunday morning when I arrived at church, and the attack finally stopped. After I finished preaching, I felt completely relieved.

My topic today is “Love Makes Good Impressions.”

If you love someone and want to build a close and meaningful relationship with them, the first step is to make a good impression. Only when someone has a good impression of you will they be open to your love—and be more willing to accept the love of God that you want to share. I’d like to explore this topic from three angles.

The meaning of "Azazel" in the Bible

What is Azazel?

On the Day of Atonement in ancient Israel, the priest was to prepare two male goats—one to be offered to the Lord as a sin offering, and the other to be released into the wilderness, carrying the sins of the Israelites, to "Azazel."