In the harsh world of Communist Romania, one man's faith shone brightly amidst the darkness of persecution. Richard Wurmbrand, born to a Jewish family in Bucharest on March 24, 1909, once embraced atheism and Marxism. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he encountered Jesus and became a committed Christian and Lutheran pastor.
Faith Under Communist Persecution
When the Communists took power in 1948, Wurmbrand's bold proclamation of faith led to his arrest. Over the next 14 years, he endured unimaginable suffering in Romanian prisons. Tortured to the brink of death, his body bore scars of brutal beatings and burnings, yet his spirit remained unbroken. "The tortures and brutality continued without interruption," Wurmbrand recalled. "In several different prisons, they broke four vertebrae in my back, and many other bones. They carved me in a dozen places. They burned and cut 18 holes in my body."
Love for His Persecutors
Despite the relentless brainwashing attempts, Wurmbrand's faith only grew stronger. He continued to share the message of Jesus with fellow prisoners, and his love for his persecutors was unwavering. "I love the Communists with all of my heart," he declared. "Communists can kill Christians, but they cannot kill their love toward even those who killed them."
Voice of the Martyrs Ministry
In 1965, Wurmbrand was ransomed out of Romania for $10,000, a testament to his influential voice. Once free, he courageously testified before the U.S. Senate in 1966, revealing his torture scars to the world. He and his wife Sabina founded The Voice of the Martyrs, an organization dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians worldwide.
Through his book, 'Tortured for Christ,' Wurmbrand's testimony reached a global audience, inspiring countless believers. His life exemplified unwavering faith and forgiveness, giving glory to Jesus as the source of his strength and resilience.
