When God Opens a Door…

After the Communists released Richard Wurmbrand from prison in 1965, an American heard him preach in Norway and encouraged him to tell his dramatic story in the United States. According to an article written by his son, Mihai, Pastor Wurmbrand arrived in New York alone in 1966, had so few meetings he considered his trip “a flop,” and was preparing to return to Romania when he decided to contact a friend in Philadelphia whom he had never met but with whom he had corresponded before World War II.

So he called Dr. Victor Buksbazen, head of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry and Israel My Glory magazine. Victor, a Jewish believer in Jesus who had emigrated from Poland before the war, invited Richard to Philadelphia. At the end of the visit, Victor brought Pastor Wurmbrand into Center City so he could see the town before returning him to the train station. Then God opened a door that no one has shut to this day.

The streets were clogged with more than 60,000 people who had shown up for one of the largest pro-left rallies in the country. A Presbyterian minister had taken the podium, praising the Communists. These are the words of Mihai Wurmbrand:

Without a moment’s hesitation, [Pastor Wurmbrand] jumped on the podium. He went straight for the microphone, pushed the speaker aside and shouted into the microphone, “Your Christian brethren suffer under communism and you, a minister, instead of praising their Christian martyrdom, you praise their torturers! You are a Judas! You know nothing of communism. I am a Doctor in Communism!”

The startled Presbyterian pastor laughed back, “There is no such thing as being a ‘Doctor in Communism.’”

“I will show you my credentials,” my father retorted. He took off his shirt to show deep scars on his torso, the results of his treatment by communist torturers in his long years of communist imprisonment. “Do you think it is right for communists to inflict such pain and scars upon a fellow minister?” With these words Rev. Wurmbrand took over the rally, and the rally was finished. The police intervened and asked Rev. Wurmbrand to put on his shirt. Scores of reporters surrounded him, asking him for interviews. He had to extend his stay with his Jewish-Christian friend in Philadelphia to give more interviews.1

More than 80 percent of America’s major newspapers ran the story, complete with photographs; and invitations poured in. Overnight Richard Wurmbrand had become famous and was able to take his message throughout the United States.

ENDNOTE
  1. Michael (Mihai) Wurmbrand, “Snapshots: A Son Remembers His Father,” 2009 <torturedforchrist.com/remember>.

2 thoughts on “When God Opens a Door…

  1. Richard knew what he was talking about, from his own personal experience! Evidently the other fellow didn’t know anything! If he thought communism was so wonderful-then he should have went and lived under communism and tried to witness and then he soon would have found out what communism is all about!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Features

Now That the Smoke Has Cleared

Nine years have passed since the tragedy of 9/11. Are we wiser and more diligent, or have we become what Lenin called “useful idiots”?

Fishers of Men

It may surprise you how much work goes into maintaining a fisherman’s net . . . regardless of what you’re fishing for.

The Story of Richard Wurmbrand

He endured imprisonment by the Nazis and torture by the Communists to become one of the 20th century’s most inspiring men of faith.

God’s Call for the Directionally Challenged

Is it really possible to receive a clear directive from God? If you’re wondering whether God is calling you to missions, this article may help.

A Missionary First, Last, and All the Time

How much impact can a person make for Christ if he dies at the young age of 26? An enormous one, as Bill Borden showed the world.


Subscription Options

1 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$9.99 every 1 year

1 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$19.99 every 1 year

2 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$19.99 every 2 years

2 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$39.99 every 2 years

3 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$29.99 every 3 years

3 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$59.99 every 3 years