For Valerie Martin, Elisabeth Elliot is more than just writing on a page. Martin, a sophomore student pursuing her degree in art in the School of Fine Arts and Communication at Biola University, grew up hearing stories about Elisabeth Elliot, an esteemed American missionary and author known for her mission work in remote areas of Ecuador in the 1950s and ’60s. Martin learned about her dedication to mission work, the hardships she faced and her faithfulness to God. Some stories she heard were not written in Elliot’s many books but were passed down through the memories of her grandmother and mother. Martin, after all, is Elliot’s great-granddaughter.

“Being someone who grew up with a legacy constantly in my mind, I've been reminded in many different ways of the way that she [Elliot] served the Lord. I grew up with her books, I grew up with my mom telling me stories about her, and my grandmother, too. I would go to my grandmother's house and see things from Ecuador everywhere, and she would tell me all of these wonderful stories,” said Martin.

This year, Biola is hosting an exhibit on loan from the in partnership with titled “Through Gates of Splendor: The Elisabeth Elliot Story.” The exhibit features many of Elliot’s writings, artifacts from her missionary years and hundreds of photographs of mission work done by her and her husband, Jim Elliot. It also includes intimate details such as notebooks and household items. was one of the five American missionaries killed by a remote people group in Ecuador in 1956. Shortly after his death, Elisabeth Elliot learned the language and went to live among the people who killed her husband, leading many of them to Christ. Through the exhibit her legacy continues, allowing her great-granddaughter to witness her work firsthand on campus and to draw inspiration for her own art.

Martin, a student in the Torrey Honors College, has been reading Elliot’s book about Jim Elliot. Reading about his life in his twenties and comparing it to her own life has deeply humanized him for her, making him a relatable figure. The same goes for when she hears accounts of Elisabeth Elliot.

“Because my mom had stories about Elisabeth Elliot as a person, I was able to see her as more than just writing on a page,” said Martin. “And that was really important for me because I was in awe, but it was also comforting to know that she also lived and was your [my] age once, and had a whole story.”

When considering colleges, Biola was on Martin’s list and was highly recommended by her aunt and alumna, Sarah Ibanez (Shepard, ’16), and her husband, alumnus Joshua Ibanez (’14), both of whom һƵd to pursue careers in the medical field. A significant part of Martin’s story is her love for art and music, so much that she decided to pursue a degree in art at Biola.

“I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. I've also been singing for as long as I can remember. So art and music have been the two kind of threads of me that have followed me throughout my life,” said Martin.

When considering how her art might advance the Great Commission, Martin draws on the love and knowledge of God she has gained through stories passed down from her family.

“I've been inspired by so many different things in what I create, but most definitely, Elisabeth Elliott has been one of the biggest inspirations to me about how I use my art to connect with people,” said Martin. “Especially after Missions Conference, and since I got into Biola, I've started thinking about, ‘how could I do missions within what I'm doing?’”

Though still discerning her path in mission work, Martin’s foundation in her family and faith has remained strong.

“Her [Elisabeth Elliot’s] story is so inspiring to me, and I've always wanted to follow in that in some way, but I have no idea what that looks like yet, but then I've slowly started to realize that I can use my art to do that [missions work],” said Martin. “And so she's been opening my mind through her writings in ways in which to draw closer to God, during this time, and ways in which I can use my art to keep sharing truth with people. I'm still figuring out how that works, logistically, and literally, and physically, and in the time I have. But really, I want to share parts of myself because I want people to be able to see God in the way that I see Him, which is very much coming from the way that she [Elisabeth Elliot] sees God, and that being passed down through the generations to my mom's teachings to me.”

As she continues her Biola journey, Martin wants her art and life to reflect not only her family’s legacy, but her love for God.

“I really just want to share light,” said Martin. “And I think Jim and Elisabeth have been really crucially influential in the way I look forward to using my art to minister to people.”

Visitors to the exhibit Through Gates of Splendor: The Elisabeth Elliot Story are welcome during Biola Library hours through May 2026.

Art students at Biola are encouraged to explore their creative passion and seek out artistic inspiration. When pursuing an art degree at Biola, students not only seek artistic excellence but also an arts education that integrates art with their Christian faith. The Torrey Honors College, Biola’s honors and great books program, brings together curious, sharp thinkers from different majors and backgrounds from all over the world to pursue the good, the true and the beautiful. Now is the time to pursue higher education at Biola — learn more and apply today.

Written by Sarah Dougher, media relations specialist. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.