Ken Elliott freed from captivity in west Africa
“An 88-year-old Australian doctor held captive in West Africa by al-Qaeda militants for more than seven years has been released.
Dr Kenneth Elliott is safe and well and has been reunited with his family, Australia’s foreign minister said.
He and his wife were seized in 2016 near the border between Mali and Burkina Faso, where they operated a clinic for over 40 years. …”
– Extremely welcome news via the BBC.
See also:
ABC News report – 19 May 2023.
Jocelyn Elliot released by kidnappers – husband still held – 07 February 2016.
‘Freed Australian hostage Jocelyn Elliott vows to continue work’ – 09 February 2016.
‘Freed Australian hostage Jocelyn Elliott vows to continue work’
“An Australian woman who was kidnapped by Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists in Burkina Faso has returned to the nation’s capital after being freed, and says she hopes to be reunited with her husband so they can continue their medical work in the African nation…”
– ABC News has this report. (Please continue to pray for the release of Jocelyn’s husband, Ken, and for their captors.)
Jocelyn Elliot released by kidnappers – husband still held
From ABC News, Sunday 7th February:
“An Australian woman has been freed after she and her husband were kidnapped by an Al Qaeda-affiliated group in Burkina Faso, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirms.
President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou presented Jocelyn Elliott to journalists at a news conference in Dosso, south-western Niger, and said authorities were intensifying efforts to secure the release of her husband.…”
– Please give thanks for Jocelyn’s release, and continue in prayer for her husband Ken, and for their captors.
Earlier:
Family of kidnapped missionaries in Burkina Faso plead for Ken and Jocelyn Elliot’s release – Bible Society.
Recognition on Australia Day 2026
Spotted in today’s Australia Day Honours List:
Appointed as Officers of the Order of Australia (AO) –
“Mrs Jocelyn Kathleen Edna ELLIOTT
WA
For distinguished service to international relations through humanitarian medical care in remote regions of Burkina Faso.Dr Kenneth Arthur ELLIOTT
WA
For distinguished service to international relations through humanitarian medical care in remote regions of Burkina Faso.”
You will remember that ten years ago, after serving in Burkina Faso since 1972, Christian medical missionaries Dr. Ken Elliott and his wife Jocelyn, were kidnapped by al-Qaeda-linked jihadists. (Previous posts here.)
Related:
How Ken Elliott survived seven years in the desert as a prisoner of Al Qaeda – ABC News, 29 August 2024.
Meeting Dr Ken and Jocelyn Elliott – Government House, Western Australia, 18 November 2024.
And, appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in today’s honours list –
“Emeritus Professor Christopher Raymond BELLENGER
NSW
For significant service to veterinary science, to tertiary education, and to the Anglican Church of Australia.”
In addition to Professor Bellenger’s much-valued service in the Diocese of Sydney, he has had a long association with university student Christian ministry in Australia and internationally.
A ransom to reckon with
“No Australian with a pulse could have been anything but deeply moved by the story of Australian doctor Ken Elliott and his wife Jocelyn, who were kidnapped in Burkina Faso by al-Qaeda-linked jihadists.
While Jocelyn was released after three weeks, Ken was held captive for seven years, enduring the most frightening conditions that would have sorely tested the health and resilience of any human being half or even a third of his age. He was 82 when he was captured and 88 when he was released. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, David Mansfield reminds us of the most important ransom.
Two Australians kidnapped in Burkina Faso
“An Australian couple has been kidnapped by jihadists in the West African nation of Burkina Faso. The couple, believed to be surgeon Dr Ken Elliot and his wife Jocelyn, were kidnapped … near the Burkina Faso’s borders with Niger and Mali…”
– Report from Nine News.
Later report from ABC News.
(Please pray for them and their captors. Dr. and Mrs. Eliot have served in various parts of sub-Saharan Africa since 1967.)
Some thoughts on Discipleship
Bishop Peter Brain contributed these challenging quotes in The Link – the magazine of the Diocese of Armidale –
JESUS said:
– “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
– “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.” (Luke 9:23-2)
– “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:17)
– “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
– “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
What follows are some words of Christians over the years that might challenge and encourage you on the discipleship path. Read more
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…