Ed McCully

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T. Edward McCully, Jr. (1927-1956) was an American Christian missionary to Ecuador. He was killed by Huaorani Indians during Operation Auca, along with Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian.

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[edit] Early Years

McCully was the oldest child in his family. He grew up in Wisconsin where his father was a Milwaukee bakery executive. A dedicated Christian, McCully's father was also an active lay preacher. The family attended a Plymouth Brethren church, the Good News Chapel, now called Wauwatosa Bible Chapel.

[edit] College Years

McCully enrolled in Wheaton College in the fall of 1945 where he majored in business and economics. It was also at Wheaton where he met and became good friends with Jim Elliot.

At 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds, McCully proved to be very athletic. He was a star on the football team as well as the track team.

McCully also distinguished himself as a gifted orator, and became very popular among his classmates. His self-authored speech about Alexander Hamilton won him the National Hearst Oratorical Contest in San Francisco, a contest in which over 10,000 students had entered. His senior year, McCully was elected senior class president unanimously.

After graduating from Wheaton, McCully entered law school at Marquette University. His second year there, he took a night job as a hotel clerk. Originally intending to spend the long hours studying classwork, he instead begain reading more of the Bible. The story of Nehemiah as well as his correspondance with Jim Elliot, who was making preparations to leave for Ecuador at the time, inspired McCully to consider missionary work. Finally, the day before he was to reregister for school to return the next year, he changed his plans. He wrote to Jim explaining his decision. He ended the letter by saying:

“ Well, that's it. Two days ago I was a law student. Today I'm an untitled nobody. Thanks, Jim, for the intercession on my behalf. Don't let up. And brother, I'm really praying for you too as you're making preparation to leave. I only wish I were going with you. „

[edit] Ministry in America

Despite his intentions, McCully was not able to go to Ecuador immediatly. After dropping out of law school he preached on the radio and spoke at various churches around the country. In June 1951, he married Marilou Hobolth, a church pianist he met at a church in Pontiac, Michigan.

He then entered the School of Missionary Medicine in Los Angelos. He spent a year there studying tropical diseases and their treatments, obstetrics, and dentistry.

[edit] Ministry in Ecuador

The McCullys went to Ecuador to work for Christian Missions in Many Lands (CMML). Ed, Marilou, and their 8 month old son, Stevie, left for Ecuador by ship on December 10, 1952. They first stayed in Quito to finish their Spanish study. Then they joined Jim and Pete at their mission station in Shandia. In June 1953, McCully took an expeditionary trip into the jungle to visit the natives. Eventually the McCullys made Arajuno their home deep in the jungle. They worked with the Quechua and Ed helped those who were sick.

In late 1955, Ed McCully, along with Jim Elliot, Peter Fleming, Nate Saint, and Roger Youderian began Operation Auca, their plan to reach the Huaorani Indians. Of the five missionaries, McCully served as the defacto medical expert. McCully was killed by indians along with his four companions on January 8, 1956.

At the time of his death, Marilou was 8 months pregnant with their third son. She returned home to give birth. Ed McCully's memorial service was held at his home church in Wauwatosa and drew around 800 people.

Marilou eventualy returned to Ecuador and lived in Quito for 6 years running a home for missionary children. She later returned to America and settled in Washington state.

McCully was portraryed by actor Stephen Caudill in the 2006 film End of the Spear.

[edit] References

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