Gracia Burnham was born in Cairo, Illinois, on January 17, 1959, and is the daughter of Norvin and Betty Jo Jones. Her father, Norvin, is a World War II veteran and former pastor and Bible teacher. Gracia graduated from Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1981, with a bachelor of science degree in Christian education.

Gracia was married to Martin Burnham on May 28, 1983, and they graduated together from the New Tribes Mission Training Institute in Durant, Mississippi, in 1984. In March 1986, Martin and Gracia left the states for a mission aviation assignment with New Tribes Mission in Northern Luzon, Philippines. They worked as New Tribes missionaries in the Philippines from 1986 to May 2001. Gracia's responsibilities included flight following, radio net control, homeschooling her children, and assisting Martin in his responsibilities of pilot, mechanic, and field leadership.

Martin and Gracia are the parents of three children, all born in the Philippines: Jeffrey (Jeff), born 1987; Melinda (Mindy), born 1989; and Zachary (Zach), born 1990.

Gracia is author of the book "In the Presence of My Enemies" (Tyndale House Publishers), the story of the year she and Martin spent as hostages of the Abu Sayyaf in the jungles of the Philippines. Since the rescue attempt by the Philippine military that resulted in Martin's death and Gracia's release, Gracia has become a sought-after speaker and has launched the Martin & Gracia Burnham Foundation, which supports mission aviation and tribal mission work around the world, seeks ways to show Christ's love to the Muslim community, and offers assistance to Christians around the world who are suffering for their faith. Gracia has authored a second book "To Fly Again" (Tyndale House Publishers), In this book Gracia reflects on the lessons and spiritual truths learned while in the jungle. Gracia's two oldest children, Jeff and Mindy are married and she and her youngest son, Zach reside in Kansas City, Kansas.

Martin Burnham

Martin Burnham was born in Wichita, Kansas, on September 19, 1959, and grew up in the Philippines, the eldest son of Paul and Oreta Burnham, who have served as New Tribes Mission missionaries in the Philippines since 1969. He graduated from Calvary Bible College and Wichita Aviation Education Center and completed missionary training with New Tribes Mission. Martin served with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines for 17 years, delivering mail, supplies, and encouragement to other missionaries, and transporting sick and injured patients to medical facilities.

Martin was killed on June 7, 2002, in the Philippines during military action between the Abu Sayyaf and Philippine forces. He had been kidnapped along with his wife, Gracia, on May 27, 2001, by the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Dean Merrill is the author of 10 books and the co-author of 40 others. His most recent solo book is "50 Pentecostal and Charismatic Leaders Every Christian Should Know" (Chosen Books, 2021). His collaborations have included titles with such varied voices as:

• Ritz-Carlton co-founder Horst Schulze

• Compassion International president Dr. Wess Stafford

• Hobby Lobby founder David Green

• Philippine missionary survivor Gracia Burnham (New York Times bestseller)

• Brooklyn Tabernacle pastor Jim Cymbala (Christian Book of the Year, also a Gold Medallion)

Merrill has also been published in more than 40 Christian magazines. His career has included editorships at Campus Life, David C. Cook, Leadership Journal, Christian Herald and Focus on the Family. From 1997 to 2004, he was vice-president and publisher at International Bible Society. Since then he has given full time to independent writing.

Merrill’s education includes a bachelor of theology degree from Chicago Bible College and a master of arts degree in journalism from Syracuse University. He and his wife live in Colorado Springs; they have three married children.

For a full list of his titles, see: www.deanmerrill.com