Gracia Burnham
Encyclopedia
Gracia Burnham and her husband Martin were American
Protestant missionaries in the Philippines
with the New Tribes Mission
for 17 years from 1986.
The couple was among a larger group kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf
, an Islamist separatist and terrorist
group operating in the southern Philippines, on May 27, 2001. While most of the group were freed after ransoms were paid and several beheaded, the Burnhams were in captivity for a year and a few days. The kidnappers demanded $1,000,000 for their release. A ransom of $330,000 was paid, yet the kidnappers refused to release them. During the eventual rescue attempt by the Philippine Army
on June 7, 2002, Martin was killed by three gunshots in the chest and Gracia was wounded in her right leg.
Since her release and the death of her husband, Gracia Burnham has returned to the United States with their three children. She has written two books about her experiences, In the Presence of my Enemies (2003) and To Fly Again (2005). She has also set up the Martin and Gracia Burnham Foundation, one of whose focus areas is "ministries
to Muslims
."
The Burnham's capture and captivity were the subject of a July 2008 episode of the TV series, Locked Up Abroad
.
Gracia and Martin were graduates of Calvary Bible College
in Kansas City, Missouri
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Protestant missionaries in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
with the New Tribes Mission
New Tribes Mission
New Tribes Mission is an international, theologically evangelical Christian mission organization based in Sanford, Florida, United States. NTM has approximately 3,300 missionaries in more than 20 nations, second only to Wycliffe Bible Translators/SIL International David Hesselgrave, Executive...
for 17 years from 1986.
The couple was among a larger group kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf
Abu Sayyaf
Abu Sayyaf also known as al-Harakat al-Islamiyya is one of several military Islamist separatist groups based in and around the southern Philippines, in Bangsamoro where for almost 30 years various Muslim groups have been engaged in an insurgency for an independent province in the country...
, an Islamist separatist and terrorist
Terrorism in the Philippines
Terrorism in the Philippines are conflicts based on political issues conducted by rebel organizations against the Philippine government, its citizens and supporters. Most terrorism in the country are conducted by Islamic terrorist groups...
group operating in the southern Philippines, on May 27, 2001. While most of the group were freed after ransoms were paid and several beheaded, the Burnhams were in captivity for a year and a few days. The kidnappers demanded $1,000,000 for their release. A ransom of $330,000 was paid, yet the kidnappers refused to release them. During the eventual rescue attempt by the Philippine Army
Philippine Army
The Philippine Army is the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Tagalog is Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas. On July 23, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Maj. Gen...
on June 7, 2002, Martin was killed by three gunshots in the chest and Gracia was wounded in her right leg.
Since her release and the death of her husband, Gracia Burnham has returned to the United States with their three children. She has written two books about her experiences, In the Presence of my Enemies (2003) and To Fly Again (2005). She has also set up the Martin and Gracia Burnham Foundation, one of whose focus areas is "ministries
Proselytism
Proselytizing is the act of attempting to convert people to another opinion and, particularly, another religion. The word proselytize is derived ultimately from the Greek language prefix προσ- and the verb ἔρχομαι in the form of προσήλυτος...
to Muslims
Islam in the Philippines
Islam is the oldest recorded monotheistic religion in the Philippines. Islam reached the Philippines between the 12th and 14th century with the arrival of Muslim traders from Persian Gulf and the Malabar Coast in Southern India, and their followers from several sultanate governments in the Malay...
."
The Burnham's capture and captivity were the subject of a July 2008 episode of the TV series, Locked Up Abroad
Banged Up Abroad
Banged Up Abroad is a British documentary/docudrama television series created by Bart Layton that was produced for Channel Five and that premiered in March 2006...
.
Gracia and Martin were graduates of Calvary Bible College
Calvary Bible College
Opened in 1932, Calvary Bible College has become a nationally-known Bible college. Calvary Bible College is located in Kansas City, Missouri and offers several associate and bachelor degrees, including a bachelor degree completion program called Excel for older students...
in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
.