A Biography of Pete Fleming

Missionary to The Huaorani of Ecuador

Peter Sillence Fleming was an evangelical Christian who was one of five missionaries killed while participating in Operation Auca, an attempt to evangelize the Huaorani people of Ecuador.

Early Life

Fleming was born in Seattle, Washington. He was taught the Bible from an early age, but did not get actually saved until he was 13 years old after hearing the testimony of a blind evangelist. During his late teens and early twenties, Fleming was known for his knowledge of Scripture and spiritual maturity.

In high school, Fleming earned letters in basketball and golf. He was also a good student and graduated as valedictorian of his class. He also won a citywide oratorical contest.

In 1946, Fleming went to the University of Washington as a philosophy major. He was very driven in college, working part-time and dedicating much time to prayer and Bible study, as well as keeping up on his classes. He was also elected president of the UCA at his college, and received a master's degree from there in 1951.

Fleming met Jim Elliot during many conferences and mountain climbing expeditions arranged by a large Christian organization. They were good friends and once spent six weeks preaching together across the country. Elliot had a great deal of influence on Fleming and was largely responsible for his becoming a missionary and for his decision to temporarily break off his engagement to Olive Ainslie, a childhood friend.

Life in Ecuador

Fleming went to Ecuador in 1952 as a part of a two-man team with Jim Elliot. After serving on the mission field in Ecuador, Jim Elliot married Elisabeth Elliot. Shortly afterwards, Fleming proposed to Olive in a letter, and they were married in 1954.

In September 1955, Fleming joined with Elliot and three other missionaries in Operation Auca, an attempt to reach the Auca Indians with the Gospel. He was the last member of the team to join, largely because of concerns of his wife.

How Pete Fleming Died

Pete and Olive had only been married 18 months when all five of the team were attacked by a group of Huaorani warriors and Fleming was killed along with the other missionaries. A search party found Fleming's body floating in the Curaray River. His body was identified by a red woven belt he was wearing.

According to reports, Fleming was speared by Kimo, a man who later became one of the first Auca converts to Christianity. Four years before his death, he wrote in a journal "I do want to be committed to the work there laying down my life for their faith." Some of the Quichua Indians and even some of the Auca killers came to saving faith in Christ.

Shortly before Fleming's death, Olive had her second miscarriage. She soon returned to the United States in order to recover. She eventually remarried, to Walter Liefeld.

Pete Fleming's Family

Parents:

Kenneth Fleming

Greta Fleming

Spouse:

Olive Sinslie Fleming

Siblings:

Ken Fleming

Recommended Resources on Pete Fleming

Peter Fleming: A Man of Faith by Ken Fleming (2013)
End of the Spear (2006)
Unfolding Destinies: the ongoing story of the Auca Mission by Olive Fleming Liefeld (1998)

Pete Fleming Movies

End of the Spear (2006)
Through Gates of Splendor (2004)

Pete Fleming Books

Peter Fleming: A Man of Faith by Ken Fleming (2013)
Unfolding Destinies: the ongoing story of the Auca Mission by Olive Fleming Liefeld (1998)
Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot

Pete Fleming Quotes

“How continually I thank God for bringing me here, almost overcoming the impossible and pushing me out. I felt ‘thrust out’ and how grateful I am for God’s impelling.”
“I would gladly give my life for that tribe if only to see an assembly of those proud, clever, smart people gathering around a table to honor the Son - gladly, gladly, gladly. What more could be given to a life?”
“If my innocence will cost me my life, so be it.”

Fun Facts About Pete Fleming

In 1989, his wife Olive returned to Ecuador and met the Indians who were responsible for her husband's death

Sources

Elliot, Elisabeth (2005). Through Gates of Splendor. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale. ISBN 0-8423-7151-6.
Fleming, Ken (1995). Peter Fleming: A Man of Faith. Christian Missions in Many Lands. p. 152. ISBN 1-888735-86-3.
Liefeld, Olive Fleming (1990). Unfolding Destinies: The Untold Story of Peter Fleming and the Auca Mission. Discovery House Publishers. ISBN 1-57293-041-1.