Looking Back at the 2015 VOM Regional Conference: Gracia Burnham

Gracia Burnham was one of the speakers who shared her incredible story of faith, courage, tragedy and forgiveness at last year's The Voice of the Martyrs Regional Conference. She and her husband Martin traveled through the jungles of Basilan Island under the captivity of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Martin and Gracia Burnham served with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines for 17 years. On May 27, 2001, while celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary at Dos Palmas Resort off Palawan Island, the Burnhams along with several other guests were taken captive by a militant group of Muslims called the Abu Sayyaf Group. The captives were taken to Basilan Island, an ASG stronghold. For more than a year, and under the total control of their captors, they were constantly on the move living in primitive conditions in the jungle, evading capture from the Philippine military, enduring gun battles, and witnessing unspeakable atrocities committed by the men of Abu Sayyaf Group. 

Soon after the events of September 11, the news media took a greater interest in Gracia and Martin’s plight and kept their story in the national headlines. 

On June 7, 2002, over a year since their abduction, the Philippine military attempted another rescue. Tragically, Martin was killed during the gunfight. Wounded, but alive, Gracia was rescued and returned home under a national spotlight. 

Since that time, Gracia has authored two books, In The Presence Of My Enemies, and To Fly Again.

Gracia resides in Rose Hill, Kansas. Her unique story and the captivating way she tells it makes Gracia a popular speaker for churches, conferences, and schools. As Gracia travels throughout the country, she talks about the spiritual lessons she learned during her captivity and how God has blessed her and her family since Martin’s death.

*Biography and photos used by permission from graciaburnham.org.

Below are some notes that I took as Ms. Burnham spoke at last year's VOM Regional Conference:

• God's plan for Islam:

1. We are it!
2. Love Muslims. Pray for them.
3. When we work, we work. When we pray, God works.

• It is a privilege to suffer for Christ.
• Love, joy and peace are gifts from God. Ask God for them.
• Come boldly to God with our need. Hebrews 4:16:  "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
• 20th Century- most Christians martyred ever.
• Jesus taught his disciples to differ radically from the culture
• Discipleship without sacrifice?/ Jesus without the cross?
• Give ourselves to God
• Great Commission- Do it!
• Give. Support Christian martyrs and their families.
• Pray without ceasing.
• What would you do if you were running for your life? Pray for those things.
• How long Lord? Until the last martyr is killed.                                                  Revelation 6:9-11: "When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.
• Costly. Following Jesus will cost us something:
• job
• family
• friends
• money
• wealth
• lifestyle
• This is not in my notes but I remember Ms. Burnham saying how important it was for them to know that so many people were praying for them while they were being held in captivity. 

Special thanks to Gracia Burnham for sharing her story and what she learned through this experience with the Body of Christ so that we can learn from her.

Gracia Burnham is scheduled to speak at several of The Voice of the Martyrs Advance Conferences around the nation this summer and fall. If you'd like to attend a VOM Advance Conference visit: persecution.com to register for an event in your area.

To learn more about Gracia Burnham visit: graciaburnham.org.