From Atheist to Believer
Richard Wurmbrand's journey from atheism to a passionate faith in Jesus is a testament to the transformative power of divine love. Born on March 24, 1909, in Bucharest, Romania, Richard initially rejected the idea of God. As he once contested, 'God, I know surely that You do not exist. But if perchance You exist, which I contest, it is not my duty to believe in You; it is Your duty to reveal Yourself to me.' This skepticism was challenged in 1938 when, in a remote Romanian village, a German carpenter named Christian Wolfkes introduced him to Jesus. This encounter changed his life dramatically.
Faith Sustained Through Prison Torture
Despite his newfound faith, Richard faced immense trials. Arrested on February 29, 1948, while heading to church, he was subjected to unimaginable suffering in Communist prisons. He spent 14 years imprisoned, three of which were in solitary confinement, 30 feet underground. Yet, even in these dire conditions, Richard found joy, stating, 'When I look back on my fourteen years in prison, it was occasionally a very happy time... We could not be prevented from singing, although we were beaten for this.'
Love for His Persecutors
Richard's resolve to share the message of Jesus was unyielding. He and other prisoners made a pact: they would preach, and the guards would beat them. 'We were happy preaching. They were happy beating us, so everyone was happy,' he recalled. His love extended even to his persecutors, as he boldly declared to a Communist officer, 'The power is all on my side. I can love you while you torture me to death.'
A Legacy of Advocacy
After his release in 1965, ransomed by Norwegian Christians for $10,000, Richard continued to advocate for persecuted believers. In 1966, he testified before the U.S. Senate, displaying his scars as evidence of his ordeal. A year later, he founded Jesus to the Communist World, now known as The Voice of the Martyrs, to support suffering Christians globally.
Richard's life was a profound statement of faith, demonstrating that even in the darkest places, Jesus' love can shine brightly. His story is a reminder that with Jesus, forgiveness and transformation are always possible.
