Elisabeth Elliot Gren

Elisabeth Elliot Gren (1926–2015) was a Christian author, speaker, and missionary whose life and work left an indelible mark on the global church. Born in Brussels, Belgium, to missionary parents, Elisabeth spent much of her early childhood in the United States, where her family instilled in her a deep love for God and a passion for missions.

Elisabeth graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois, earning a degree in Greek, which she hoped would equip her for Bible translation work. In 1953, she married Jim Elliot, and the couple served as missionaries in Ecuador. Their ministry took a tragic turn in 1956 when Jim and four other missionaries were killed by members of the Huaorani people (then called the Auca), whom they sought to reach with the gospel.

In a remarkable story of forgiveness and faith, Elisabeth later returned to live among the Huaorani with her young daughter, Valerie, and played a pivotal role in bringing the gospel to the very people who had taken her husband’s life. Her testimony of grace and courage inspired millions.

Elisabeth went on to write over 20 books, including Through Gates of Splendor, Shadow of the Almighty, and The Savage My Kinsman, sharing her experiences and insights on suffering, trust in God, and faithful obedience. Her teachings emphasized the sovereignty of God, the cost of discipleship, and the transformative power of forgiveness.

As a speaker, Elisabeth was known for her wisdom, wit, and unflinching commitment to biblical truth. She remarried twice, first to Addison Leitch, who passed away from cancer, and later to Lars Gren, with whom she shared the remainder of her life.

Elisabeth’s legacy continues to inspire generations to live lives of faith, surrender, and obedience to God’s calling, no matter the cost.