Remembering Martyrs of the Ages

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

By Hannah Meador

Reprinted from The Stand

Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand came to faith in Christ in 1938 and soon grew eager to be used by Him. Thus, when communism flooded their native Romania in 1945, they launched a bold underground ministry to oppressed believers.

Over the years, they were arrested multiple times for their faith, and Richard was severely tortured and imprisoned for a total of 14 years. Yet they held fast to the promises of God’s Word. In 1967, years after his final prison release and the Wurmbrands’ ransom out of Romania, they founded The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) to minister to other believers facing persecution.

On June 29, VOM will observe its annual Day of the Christian Martyr. In a recent interview with The Stand, Todd Nettleton, VOM chief of media relations and message integration, explained the significance of this day.

The Stand: How did this observance begin?

Todd Nettleton: Day of the Christian Martyr grew out of a desire to honor those who gave their lives for the cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was launched in 2018.

For over 20 years, there has been an annual reminder to pray for Christians undergoing persecution right now – the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians in November. But there was not a day to remember Christians from the past who had faced persecution and given their lives for the gospel’s sake.

Day of the Christian Martyr was created out of a desire to fill that gap, honor the sacrifice of past heroes of the faith, and intentionally be inspired by their example of faithfulness. June 29 was chosen because, according to church tradition, it was the date of the execution of the apostle Paul in Rome.

TS: Why is it important to remember past martyrs?

TN: It is important to honor these heroic brothers and sisters, but it is more important to be inspired by their faithfulness. Christ told His followers to count the cost, and it is important to remind ourselves that Christ is worthy of any sacrifice we might ever be asked to make.

This year, VOM is honoring an ethnic-Somali evangelist, Ahmed Abdiweli, who was gunned down in northern Kenya in 2013. Abdiweli was once a devout Muslim, but after he met Jesus, he became a bold and faithful evangelist – even as the threats and danger against him grew. As we are inspired by Abdiweli’s bold faithfulness, I hope there will be an increase in prayer for God’s work among Somali people.

TS: Does VOM address today’s persecuted Christians?

TN: What VOM seeks to establish with our brothers and sisters living in restricted nations and hostile areas is fellowship. That means knowing them, understanding the challenges they face, and responding to provide encouragement, spiritual help, and practical aid.

TS: How can believers get involved?

TN: That fellowship [of the persecuted] extends to include believers in free nations who aren’t experiencing persecution. We invite them into the fellowship to know and share the names and stories of suffering saints. We encourage them to respond with prayer and aid.

[Finally] believers today can consider their own life in light of the example of these faith heroes. Ask, “What am I willing to sacrifice to see the gospel advance in my neighborhood, city, and even around the world?”