Recently, on the way to Tulsa, my family and I stopped at the Voice of the Martyrs headquarters in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is a nonprofit, interdenominational missions organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. It was founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand.
Pastor Richard Wurmbrand was an evangelical minister who endured 14 years of Communist imprisonment and torture in his homeland of Romania.
In 1945, when the Communists seized Romania and attempted to take control of the churches, Pastor Wurmbrand began an effective, vigorous "underground" ministry to oppressed believers as well as to the Russian soldiers occupying his country. He was arrested in 1948, along with his wife, Sabina, who was imprisoned for three years. Pastor Wurmbrand spent three years in solitary confinement and was, then, transferred to a group cell, where the torture continued for another five years.
After more than eight years in prison, Pastor Wurmbrand was released, immediately resuming his work with the underground church. A couple of years later, in 1959, he was re-arrested and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Pastor Wurmbrand was released through a general amnesty in 1964, again resuming his underground ministry. A group of Christians in Norway, realizing the probability and danger of a third imprisonment, negotiated his family's emigration from Romania.
In May 1966, Richard Wurmbrand testified before the U.S. Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, where he stripped to the waist to show 18 scars from torture wounds covering his torso.
His story was carried in newspapers throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Pastor Wurmbrand was warned in September 1966 that Romania's Communist regime planned to assassinate him, but he refused to be silenced.
As co-founders of The Voice of the Martyrs, Pastor Wurmbrand and Sabina traveled throughout the world establishing a network of more than 30 offices that provide relief to families of imprisoned Christians in Islamic nations, Communist nations, and other countries where Christians are persecuted because of their faith. Their message has been, "Hate the evil systems, but love your persecutors. Love their souls, and try to win them for Christ."
Voice of the Martyrs is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission - no matter the cost.
Being at the VOM headquarters was, not only sobering, but humbling and emotional.
Outside of the main building, is the Martyrs Memorial.
The polished black marble shined like glass and reflected our faces as we read through the names of Christians that had been martyred throughout the centuries.
Some of the names we recognized...
Some of the martyrs were killed long, long ago...
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
Once inside, the story of the Wurmbrands and the history of VOM unfolded. There were a number of artifacts and a replica of the cell that held Pastor Wurmbrand in solitary confinement.
The grounds at the VOM headquarters were beautiful and we were grateful to have had the opportunity to visit. We hope to go back someday and volunteer in their distribution center.
I also highly recommend reading Tortured For Christ by Richard Wormbrand and watching the movie of the same title on Amazon. You can also find the documentary Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand there, as well.
The movie Sabina:Tortured For Christ The Nazi Years was recently release and was showing for free on VOM. I don't know that they're still running it for free at this point, but it can be purchased through the site. It is so good!
Above all else, I'd like for you to just take a moment to reflect on, and pray for, the persecuted church.
As Christians, here in America, we've not known the kind of persecution that the Wurmbrands and countless others around the world have experienced. Our day may very well be coming, but, for now, let us realize how truly blessed (and protected) we have been. Let us seek the heart of God as to how to how He would direct us in assisting those that are under the gun right now for their faith in Christ, for there are many.
"When others are bent on revenge, on ways of doing more evil than their neighbor, God gives the ability to return good for evil."
~Sabina Wurmbrand
Until next time...
~Rebecca
Recent and related posts that you might enjoy reading...
Thank you so much for your article! My husband and I are planning on visiting voice of the martyrs today.
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome and that's wonderful! I would love to hear about your experience there, as well. If you'd like to share, please, feel free to leave further comment below or email me at proverbs31heart@yahoo.com. Have a wonderful time at the VOM headquarters today! Blessings!
Delete