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Love So Amazing: The Missionary Biography of Bert and Colleen Elliot
I often spoke of Bert and Colleen from the platform as examples of stick-to-it-tiveness, godly self-sacrifice, and simple perseverance in jungle heat, mildew, mud, and rain in the high Andes, humbly ministering to lonely people.
—Elisabeth Elliot, sister-in-law, author of "Shadow of the The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot"
Twentieth-century martyr Jim Elliot wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
How many ways might followers of Jesus demonstrate the truth of this wisdom? The lives of brothers Jim and Bert Elliot show us two of those ways, one through Jim’s intense loyalty and short life, the other—at the heart of this new book—through Bert’s and his wife, Colleen’s, long decades of joyful faithfulness.
Generations have been inspired by Jim and Elisabeth Elliot’s lives and writings. Love So Amazing invites new generations into the further journeys of the Elliot family. Bert and Colleen introduced Jesus and His love to thousands in northern Peru’s jungles, mountains, and coastal cities. For nearly two-thirds of a century they affectionately cared for people’s physical and spiritual needs, soothed and healed sectarian rifts, and planted and shepherded more than 150 local churches across hundreds of miles.
Bert and Colleen serve as the right kind of examples for “average” followers of Jesus, proving that, for most of us, substantial, supernatural impact is achieved through simple daily faithfulness, listening to Jesus and loving people in His name. The relatively few martyrs for Jesus spark bonfires of faith; the rest of us—the majority of God’s servants—feed the slow, steady flames of faithfulness that spread one precious life at a time. While they admire Jim, they can realistically picture themselves emulating Bert.
Gilbert A. Gleason is a nephew by marriage to Bert and Colleen, and served as their pastor for a large portion of their adult lives. He benefitted personally from their friendship, support, and mentoring. And he in turn served and supported them, primarily by giving encouragement and assistance on the home front and through hands-on experience during his several visits to the ministry front lines in Peru. He is married to Sue, the niece of Bert and Colleen. They have three adult children and four grandchildren.
—Elisabeth Elliot, sister-in-law, author of "Shadow of the The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot"
Twentieth-century martyr Jim Elliot wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
How many ways might followers of Jesus demonstrate the truth of this wisdom? The lives of brothers Jim and Bert Elliot show us two of those ways, one through Jim’s intense loyalty and short life, the other—at the heart of this new book—through Bert’s and his wife, Colleen’s, long decades of joyful faithfulness.
Generations have been inspired by Jim and Elisabeth Elliot’s lives and writings. Love So Amazing invites new generations into the further journeys of the Elliot family. Bert and Colleen introduced Jesus and His love to thousands in northern Peru’s jungles, mountains, and coastal cities. For nearly two-thirds of a century they affectionately cared for people’s physical and spiritual needs, soothed and healed sectarian rifts, and planted and shepherded more than 150 local churches across hundreds of miles.
Bert and Colleen serve as the right kind of examples for “average” followers of Jesus, proving that, for most of us, substantial, supernatural impact is achieved through simple daily faithfulness, listening to Jesus and loving people in His name. The relatively few martyrs for Jesus spark bonfires of faith; the rest of us—the majority of God’s servants—feed the slow, steady flames of faithfulness that spread one precious life at a time. While they admire Jim, they can realistically picture themselves emulating Bert.
Gilbert A. Gleason is a nephew by marriage to Bert and Colleen, and served as their pastor for a large portion of their adult lives. He benefitted personally from their friendship, support, and mentoring. And he in turn served and supported them, primarily by giving encouragement and assistance on the home front and through hands-on experience during his several visits to the ministry front lines in Peru. He is married to Sue, the niece of Bert and Colleen. They have three adult children and four grandchildren.
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Published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 18, 2021
What can I say about this couple? I think if the world was full of a handful of others like these two, the whole world would no doubt be touched with the gospel of Christ.Their impact was astounding, and their humility was even greater. They truly lived a life of making Him greater and themselves less.
Most of the book is told through the lens of their letters sent home from Nepal and Peru. The letters are laced with unfaultering trust that their Father would provide all they needed to sustain their ministry. They stewarded their time and possessions in profound wisdom. (Even using an old laundry machine for over 20 years, when most of us would have thrown it out and bought a new one).
Most of the book is told through the lens of their letters sent home from Nepal and Peru. The letters are laced with unfaultering trust that their Father would provide all they needed to sustain their ministry. They stewarded their time and possessions in profound wisdom. (Even using an old laundry machine for over 20 years, when most of us would have thrown it out and bought a new one).
August 5, 2021
Bert and Colleen Elliot were coworkers, friends, models, and people I loved. I learned so much about their lives, especially the early part of their missionary lives in Peru by reading this book and it just made me more impressed with them. I once taught a series on the gifts of the Spirit and I wanted to use them as an example for almost every gift. Their lives were characterized by desiring to know God and serve Him. They loved God and loved people. I highly recommend this book!
December 2, 2023
Through humility, Bert and Colleen Elliot traveled the world spreading the gospel of the Lord. This story was amazing to read as their staggering impact was revealed. As told through letters the couple sent home from Nepal and Peru, we were allowed to glimpse their true hearts and trust in God to provide for their ministry. What wonderful stewards. Their work continues through this book Gilbert so graciously wrote and published.
March 8, 2025
4/5 ⭐️
Ebook
I enjoyed reading about Bert and Colleen’s many years of faithful service as missionaries in Peru. It’s a beautiful story of how their love for each other and love for their Savior encouraged their daily obedience to Jesus.
At times the story can be difficult to follow as much is taken from letters by Colleen and Bert and it can be difficult to distinguish who is speaking (them or the narrator), but overall a very good read.
Ebook
I enjoyed reading about Bert and Colleen’s many years of faithful service as missionaries in Peru. It’s a beautiful story of how their love for each other and love for their Savior encouraged their daily obedience to Jesus.
At times the story can be difficult to follow as much is taken from letters by Colleen and Bert and it can be difficult to distinguish who is speaking (them or the narrator), but overall a very good read.
October 27, 2022
excellent account of missionaries
Beautiful example of giving all of one’s self to the will of God. I highly recommend reading this wonderful life story
Beautiful example of giving all of one’s self to the will of God. I highly recommend reading this wonderful life story
August 31, 2023
The writing was a bit dry, but the story is interesting.
January 19, 2024
Bert & Colleen were wonderful Godly missionaries- servants to all who poured out their lives for others. It was fantastic reading their life story!
Loved it
Loved it
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews