Christian Men and Women

Richard Wurmbrand

Richard Wurmbrand was a Lutheran pastor in Romania. In 1945 people known as Communists seized power in Romania where he and his wife lived. He and his wife were invited to attend a communist congress and swear their loyalty to the new regime. On the verge of so doing, Richard's wife, Sabina, said to him: "Richard, stand up and wash away this shame from the face of Christ." Richard warned, "If I do so, you'll lose your husband." She replied, "I don't wish to have a coward as a husband." So Richard declared to the 4,000 delegates, whose speeches were broadcast to the whole nation, that their duty is to glorify God and Christ alone. Between 1945 and 1947, Richard gave out one million Gospels to Russian troops. Richard also smuggled Gospels into Russia which was banned at the time.

During World War Two he and his wife had been active in rescuing Jews and hiding them from the Nazi occupiers. On February 29, 1948, the communist secret police arrested Richard while on his way to church and took him to their headquarters. He was locked in a solitary cell and assigned as 'Prisoner Number 1.' While in prison, he went through horrific tortures at the hands of the brutal secret police. Despite the treatments and the warnings he received from his persecutors, Richard continued his work with the 'underground' churches after his release. His work led to the spreading of these underground churches throughout the iron curtain territories: these became known as 'Jesus to the Communist World'.

In 1990, Richard and Sabina returned to Romania after 25 years and were warmly received. Richard Wurmbrand died on February 17, 2001 in a hospital in California.

Some of the virtues that Richard displayed throughout his life were, Prudence, Justice, Courage (Fortitude) Faith and Hope.