A Life Redirected by Faith
Born in Bucharest, Romania, on March 24, 1909, Richard Wurmbrand's early life was marked by the loss of his father and a brief exploration of Marxism in Moscow. However, his path changed dramatically in 1938 when he and his wife Sabina converted to Christianity, profoundly influenced by a Romanian Christian carpenter named Christian Wolfkes. This conversion marked the beginning of a faith journey that would see Richard become a zealous evangelist, even amid the looming threat of persecution.
During World War II, Richard and Sabina courageously ministered to German soldiers and rescued Jewish children from the horrors of the Holocaust. In 1944, as Soviet forces occupied Romania, Richard began ministering to both Romanians and Red Army soldiers, offering hope through the message of Christ.
Fourteen Years of Brutal Imprisonment
On February 29, 1948, Richard's commitment to his faith led to his arrest by the Communist regime while on his way to a church service. This arrest marked the start of 14 grueling years in prison, including three years in solitary confinement. Despite enduring brutal torture, Richard's spirit remained unbroken. As he once said, 'It was a deal; we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching. They were happy beating us, so everyone was happy.'
Richard's imprisonment was marked by unfathomable suffering, yet he found solace in his belief that 'God is always on the side of the persecuted.' Despite being beaten, burned, and mutilated, Richard continued to preach the gospel within the prison walls, sharing hope with fellow prisoners. He later testified before the U.S. Senate's Internal Security Subcommittee, showing his scars as evidence of the torture he endured for his faith.
Voice of the Martyrs Is Born
In 1964, Richard was released from prison and subsequently ransomed for $10,000. He and Sabina moved to the United States, where he founded 'Voice of the Martyrs' in 1967, a ministry dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians worldwide. Throughout his life, Richard's unwavering faith and dedication to spreading the message of Christ exemplified a profound trust in God's plan. As he reflected, 'I do not understand everything that has happened to me, but I believe that my whole life, and the life of all His children, has been planned by God, down to the smallest detail.'
Richard Wurmbrand's testimony is a powerful reminder that even in the face of unimaginable persecution, faith can endure, and the light of Christ can shine brightly in the darkest places.
