Christian Missionary Shares Harrowing Experience of 7-Year Captivity by Al-Qaeda-Linked Group

Dr. Ken Elliott, a Christian missionary, was held captive by an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group for seven years. During his ordeal, he endured extreme conditions, including heat and cold, scorpions, and scurvy.

At 82 years old, Dr. Elliott’s survival is a testament to his unwavering faith. When asked how he managed to survive for so long, he simply replied, “God.”

Dr. Elliott and his wife, Jocelyn, had been on medical missions in Burkina Faso, West Africa, for decades. They were known for their commitment to providing equal care to all patients, regardless of their background or financial situation. This earned them the respect of the local Muslim community, who accepted them as part of their community.

When Dr. Elliott and his wife were kidnapped, the locals were outraged. Jocelyn was released a few weeks later, but Dr. Elliott remained in captivity. He befriended another hostage, Julian Gergert, a Romanian national who had been held captive for nine months.

Dr. Elliott’s health deteriorated significantly during his captivity due to a poor diet. He developed scurvy, a condition caused by a lack of vitamin C, which left him unable to walk and in constant pain.

Despite his captors’ attempts to convert him to Islam, Dr. Elliott remained steadfast in his faith. He never lost hope, even during the long, lonely days in the desert. “The Lord has been good to me. I couldn’t dishonor Him by converting to Islam,” he said.

Dr. Elliott credits the prayers of hundreds, if not thousands, of people for his release. “I believe the only reason we were released was because of prayer,” he said. “We believe in prayer, and we know that it works.”

Dr. Elliott’s experience is a powerful testament to the power of faith and prayer. Despite facing unimaginable challenges, he remained committed to his beliefs and never lost hope.