Pete Fleming
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| Pete Fleming | |
 Olive and Pete Fleming
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| Born | 1928 Seattle, Washington |
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| Died | January 8, 1956 Curaray River, Ecuador |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Washington (1946-51) |
| Occupation | Missionary |
| Religious beliefs | Christian (Plymouth Brethren) |
| Spouse | Olive Fleming (née Ainslie) (Jun 26, 1954 – Jan 8, 1956) |
| Parents | Kenneth Fleming Greta Fleming |
- For others named Peter Fleming, see Peter Fleming (disambiguation).
Peter Sillence Fleming (1928-1956) was an evangelical Christian missionary to Ecuador who, along with four others, was killed while attempting to evangelize the Waodani people through efforts known as Operation Auca.
[edit] Early life
Fleming was born in Seattle, Washington. He was taught the Bible from an early age, but claimed he was not a Christian 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, graduating at the top of his class.
In 1946, Fleming enrolled at the University of Washington as a philosophy student. 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 University Christian Fellowship. He went on for his master's degree, which he received in 1951.
Fleming met Jim Elliot during a series of conferences and mountain climbing expeditions arranged by a Christian organization. They became good friends and at one time spent six weeks preaching across the country together. Elliot had a great deal of influence on Fleming and was largely responsible for his becoming a missionary and for his breaking off of his engagement with Olive Ainslie, a childhood friend.
[edit] Ecuador
Fleming went to Ecuador in 1952 as a part of a two-man team with Jim Elliot. After serving on the mission field for a while, Elliot changed his mind about celibacy and got married. 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 Waodani Indians with the Gospel. He was the last member of the team to join, largely because of concerns of his wife. They had only been married 18 months when Fleming was killed along with the other missionaries. The rescue team 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 Huaorani converts to Christianity.
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 Walt Liefeld.
[edit] References
- Elliot, Elisabeth (2005). Through Gates of Splendor. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale. ISBN 0-8423-7151-6.
- Liefeld, Olive Fleming (1990). Unfolding Destinies: The Untold Story of Peter Fleming and the Auca Mission. Discovery House Publishers. ISBN 1-57293-041-1.
- Fleming, Ken (1995). Peter Fleming: A Man of Faith. Christian Missions in Many Lands, Inc., 152. ISBN 1888735863.
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