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01/19/2006

Son of Martyred Man Befriends Father's Killer

CAROL STREAM, Il., Jan. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- 50 years ago, five North American missionaries made international news when they were martyred for their faith by the Waodani (formerly known as “Auca”) people of Ecuador. Tomorrow, on Friday, January 20, 2006, a new motion picture, The End of the Spear, will introduce their courageous story to a new generation. But the story didn’t end the moment that Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, Nate Saint and Roger Youderian were killed. Rather, it was the start of a new saga for the families of the slain men. Publisher Christianity Today International (“CTI”) is able to offer our experts on this amazing story to your media organization for your interview and quotation needs.

SYNOPSIS: After her brother was killed, Rachel Saint returned as a missionary to the Waodani people. Years later, Nate Saint’s son, Steve, also befriended the tribe, becoming particularly close to Mincaye, the man who killed his father. As a result of this, 40 percent of the Waodani now believe in Christ and many are furthering the cause of the gospel through dentistry. The End of the Spear tells these stories.

“When I was a little boy and my dad flew off and was killed,” Steve Saint says, “I thought, How can life ever be good again? But God gave me the man who killed my father to be like a father to me and a grandfather to my children.”

As the fiftieth anniversary of the killing of these missionaries is commemorated and the movie makes its debut, CTI is able to present some unique perspectives on the story of these modern-day Christian martyrs. Our editors are available as expert resources for your reporters, producers and program hosts, as well as for interviews.

Mark Moring, managing editor of Christianity Today Movies, can provide information about the movie, The End of the Spear, Steve Saint’s unique role in production, and the anticipated reaction to another “Christian” movie. For more information, visit http://ChristianityToday.com/movies /special/waodani.html

The 1956 martyrdom had substantial effects in the realm of Christian missions. Stan Guthrie, senior associate editor of Christianity Today, speaks to the wide-reaching ramifications on missions over the past fifty years and how this new movie might affect the missions movements of the 21st century.

The past fifty years have not dimmed the amazing details of this story. Edward Gilbreath, editor of Today’s Christian, provides reminders of the men who became household names and the story after the story, the remarkable changes that have come to the Waodani as a result of the Gospel.