Richard Wurmbrand & the Torchlighters Video Series

March 17, 2009 – 2:52 pm

One week from today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Richard Wurmbrand, founder of Voice of the Martyrs ministry. Wurmbrand was a Romanian evangelical Christian minister, author, and educator who spent a total of fourteen years imprisoned in Romania (source: Wikipedia).

Christian History Institute has just released a 30 minute cartoon on the life of Richard Wurmbrand which will join the rest of their Torchlighters series - missionary biography videos targeted at children. Other titles in the series include: Gladys Aylward, Jim Elliot, William Tyndale, John Bunyan, and Eric Liddell.

For those who are unfamiliar with Wurmbrand’s story, here’s a synopsis from the Torchlighter’s website:

It’s a dangerous time to be a Christian in World War II Romania. The Russian Communists are in power, and like the Nazis before them, they are persecuting Christians. Pastor Richard Wurmbrand’s church continues meeting secretly, as Richard ministers to his congregation and works to spread the Gospel whenever possible.

But the Communist authorities are scheming. They call a public meeting of the church leaders, offering “protection” to those who will voice support for the government. If they can get the leaders to profess allegiance, they know the rest of the people will be much more manageable. One after another Christian leaders take the stage and give speeches to show their support for the Communists — in return they will enjoy relative safety. When Pastor Wurmbrand is called to the podium, he must decide what to do. With his wife’s urging, Richard throws down the gauntlet. He makes a public declaration of his faith and refuses to support the Communists, thereby placing his entire family in danger.

As events unfold, Richard is soon kidnapped by the secret police. Over the next 8 years, they try to break him with every technique in the book, but he will not bend. Not only does Richard hold steadfast to the faith, he serves as a pastor to others in prison. Meanwhile, his family also suffers, but walks on in faith.

After Richard is finally released, he is overjoyed to discover the underground church still gathering for worship and encouraging one another. Richard went on to use his experience to help people around the world understand how Christians and others were being treated behind the iron curtain. His work continues today through the organization he founded, The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM).

Voice of the Martyrs created a special site remembering the legacy and passion of Richard Wurmbrand.

HT: TC

Video Trailer: