Jim Elliot (Phillip James “Jim” Elliot) was a martyred missionary who had a great influence on the Auca tribe of Ecuador. Although he was killed before he could even have any direct interaction with the Indians, the results of his ministries and efforts were significant. He gave up his life for the purpose of evangelizing the wild Auca Indians, leaving behind his two children and wife. Jim Elliot was born in Portland, Oregon on October 8, 1927 as the son of Fred and Clara Elliot. Having Christian parents, Elliot lived by the word of God and accepted Christ as his savior when he was six years old. Raised in Portland, he began attending Benson Polytechnic High School in 1941. He joined a public speaking club and became known for his speaking skills. With his eloquence he explained to his classmates the reasons why he did not get involved in secular activities such as debating politics or attending school parties. Having held firm to his faith during his "turbulent" teenage years, Elliot entered Wheaton College in 1945. He also joined the wrestling team to express his belief in the importance of a healthy body. While studying subjects such as philosophy, anthropology and politics, he was offered the staff position, but politely turned it down despite the only tuition-free year the proposal presented. He believed that too much involvement in studies and school activities distanced him from God. He soon wrote a letter to his parents saying that he considered the study of God's word more important than the pursuit of secular knowledge. In his second year of college, he became involved in a Christian college organization called "Student Foreign Missions Fellowship" in which he was able to travel to Mexico for six weeks to apprentice to a local missionary. Later later when he went to Brazil in