From Atheist to Believer
Richard Wurmbrand was born on March 24, 1909, in Bucharest, Romania, to a Jewish family. Despite his early life of poverty and tragedy, he became an atheist and a Marxist, seeing the idea of God as harmful. However, deep down, he yearned for a loving presence in the universe. In 1938, a pivotal encounter with Christian Wolfkes, a German carpenter, changed everything. Wurmbrand was given a Bible, and as he read it, he saw "flames of love" in its words. This marked the beginning of his conversion to Christianity, alongside his wife, Sabina.
Underground Ministry
Wurmbrand's newfound faith led him to become a Lutheran minister, preaching in bomb shelters during World War II and rescuing Jewish children. The real test of his faith came with the Soviet occupation of Romania. He began an underground ministry, resisting government control of the church. This act of defiance led to his arrest on February 29, 1948, where he was imprisoned for eight and a half years, enduring horrific torture. Despite these trials, Wurmbrand remained steadfast, preaching in prison despite the risk of severe beatings.
Love for Persecutors
His resilience was rooted in his love for those who persecuted him, a love that he discovered through suffering. "It was in prison that we found the hope of salvation for the Communists," he later said. After his release in 1956, he continued his underground ministry, only to be arrested again in 1959. Throughout these ordeals, Wurmbrand attributed his survival to God's intervention.
Voice of the Martyrs
In 1964, he was released through the efforts of Norwegian Christians who paid for his freedom. Urged to share his story, he testified before the U.S. Senate in 1966, revealing the scars of his torture. This led to the founding of The Voice of the Martyrs, an organization that supports persecuted Christians worldwide. Wurmbrand's legacy is a testament to the power of faith and love, even in the face of unimaginable suffering.
