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Richard Wurmbrand was born in Bucharest Romania 24 March 1908.He was an atheist as he grew up watching both world wars form and take place.He was saved while as a newlywed in 1938. He was witnessed to and given a Bible by a German carpenter named Christian Wölfkes who spoke/ prayed fervently for him many times.Richard was confused by the many Christian sects and was sent by the German carpenter to Isaac Feinstein ( a Jewish Pastor) in Jassy, Romania. Richard, under his guidance decided to trust the Bible alone for his guidance.He became a Lutheran pastor.10 years later...In 1948 after the war the communists took a Romania and tried to absorb the Romanian churches in the Godless system of Russia.The assembly the Russians called was called “ Council for the Affairs of Religious Cults” in which the 4,000 pastors of Romania had to attend. This membership consisted of members from each Soviet territory and was headed by a chairman and was divided into divisions regarding particular denominations, for example Lutheranism, Roman Catholicism, and Islam.It was a complete tear down of the Christian system , replacing it with the Marist system .During the assembly both Sabina and Richard were uncomfortable with what was said and Sabina urged Richard to say something, she didn’t want a coward for a husband.Richard stood up in the midst of the 4,000 pastors and wanted to speak.He was then invited down to the platform and there he boldly proclaimed Christ as the only way to God while they frantically tried to cut the power to the microphone.This was broadcast live on the radio to all Europe at the time.He and Sabina safety got out of the building but he soon after got kidnapped by the Secret police, this brave 3 minute speech of his cost him 3 decades of imprisonment.Wurmbrand was released from his first imprisonment in 1956, after eight and a half years. Although he was warned not to preach, he boldly resumed his work in the underground church. He was arrested again in 1959 and sentenced to 25 years. During his imprisonment, he was beaten and tortured. Physical torture included mutilation, burning and being locked standing up in a large box with nails sticking into it called a carcer.As long as he didn’t move he was safe, try being in there for days on end.!!!He spent time in the penal facilities of Craiova, Gherla, the Danube Black Sea Canal, Văcăreşti prison, Malmaison, Cluj, and ultimately Jilava, spent 3 decades in prison in and out plus three years in solitary confinement. This confinement was in a cell twelve feet underground, with no lights or windows. There was no sound because even the guards wore felt on the soles of their shoes. Pastor Wurmbrand was released through a general amnesty in 1964, again resuming his underground ministry.In May 1966, he 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. In April 1967, the Sabina and Richard Wurmbrand formed Jesus to the Communist World (later renamed The Voice of the Martyrs), an interdenominational organisation working initially with and for persecuted Christians in Communist countries, but later expanding its activities to help persecuted believers in other places, especially in the Muslim world.Richard Wurmbrand died in Torrence, California 17 February 2001 aged 91. His wife, Sabina, had died six months earlier on August 11, 2000.There are many books on his wisdom and prison experiences plus a free feature film on his life/ prison years ....