The True Heroes

We live in a society that likes to make heroes of people with great wealth, great power and great looks. For me, the true heroes are those that follow the example of the apostles – the Christian missionaries who sacrifice their personal comforts, resources and safety to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.

My wife Pat and I have some dear friends named Burt and Colleen Elliott. Burt�s brother Jim is one of the most honored missionaries of the 20th century – a hero about whom books and movies have been made. Jim was killed, along with several colleagues, by members of the Auca tribe while sharing the Gospel in Peru.

Burt and Colleen have since spent a quiet, unheralded lifetime in that country, planting over 130 churches and training thousands of new believers. They will tell you they have no gifts for evangelizing, yet the impact these two humble people have had in one corner of the world is astounding.

The work of missionaries was celebrated in the Bible centuries ago. “How beautiful on the mountains,” says Isaiah, “are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation.” Burt and Colleen and thousands of others who courageously pursue the Great Commission are the true heroes of yesterday and today.