The Voice of the Martyrs Headquarters

The Voice of the Martyrs: A History of Advocacy, Sacrifice, and Global Witness

The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is an enduring Christian ministry dedicated to defending, encouraging, and supporting persecuted believers around the world. Founded in 1967 by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who himself spent fourteen years in Communist Romanian prisons, VOM has grown into a global fellowship of offices serving believers in some of the most hostile places for Christians.

Origins: Wurmbrand’s Vision

Richard Wurmbrand and his wife, Sabina, endured brutal persecution under Romania’s Communist regime. During those years of imprisonment, Wurmbrand witnessed firsthand the underground churches’ courage and steady faith. After his release, he carried their stories to the West—not to lobby for politics, but to call Christians to “remember those in chains.” In 1967, the Wurmbrands formally established the ministry under the name Jesus to the Communist World, later renamed The Voice of the Martyrs. Their mission was simple yet profound: to give a voice to persecuted Christians, both in prayer and in practical help.

Mission and Work

At its core, VOM pursues five foundational purposes. These include:

• Encouraging and equipping persecuted Christians with Scripture, training, and spiritual support.

• Helping families of martyrs who have lost loved ones.

• Providing relief and rebuilding for Christians in countries where they have suffered oppression and violence.

• Equipping believers to share Christ even in hostile environments.

• Raising awareness among Christians of the cost of discipleship, inspiring prayer, giving, and commitment.

Today, VOM supports persecuted Christians in dozens of countries, distributing Bibles (over 1.25 million in recent years), assisting families, training front-line workers, and producing resources to inform the global church.

Growth and Global Reach

Although VOM began in the United States, its influence spread quickly. Autonomous VOM offices now operate in multiple countries, each working under the shared vision of the International Christian Association (ICA). In Canada, VOM Canada traces its roots back to the early 1970s. VOM Korea, officially founded in 2001, began with bold missions to North Korea—launching Bibles via radio and balloon into that closed nation. In Australia, VOM was established in 1969, continuing the global fellowship Wurmbrand had inspired. Each national branch is financially independent, but all share the same passion: to serve believers who suffer persecution for their faith.

Advocacy and Awareness

Richard Wurmbrand’s own testimony became a powerful tool for awakening the church. In 1966, he appeared before the U.S. Senate Internal Security Subcommittee and revealed 18 scars from Communist torture—a dramatic visual witness that caught international attention. His book Tortured for Christ went on to be translated into dozens of languages, stirring Christians around the world to care for the persecuted. Through newsletters, video, radio, and prayer alerts, VOM continues to share stories of suffering and faith from persecuted Christians. This ongoing communication is central to its mission: reminding believers that even when the church suffers, it perseveres—and that many bear the cost of following Jesus without ever seeing freedom.

Practical Help: Beyond Words

VOM is not only a voice; it also brings practical help. The organization provides:

• Bibles and Christian literature into closed countries

• Financial aid and relief to believers who have been imprisoned or displaced

• Training for front-line workers in restricted areas

• Fellowship and counseling to persecuted Christians, helping them rebuild their spiritual lives

By meeting both spiritual and material needs, VOM models a holistic ministry rooted in Scripture and compassion.

Legacy and Impact

The legacy of VOM is rooted first in its founders, Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, whose own suffering and sacrifice gave birth to a movement. Their insistence that Christians around the world “remember the persecuted” has borne fruit in countless lives. VOM’s impact is also deeply cultural: it has helped awaken and sustain a global awareness of Christian persecution—especially in times and places where suffering is hidden or minimized. By giving a platform to untold stories, it has inspired believers to pray, give, and serve, reminding the church that spiritual freedom is not granted in every nation. Furthermore, by equipping believers in restricted countries, VOM contributes to a more resilient and rooted church—a church that does not merely survive persecution but continues to witness, disciple, and multiply.

Challenges and Critiques

As with any large ministry, VOM has faced scrutiny. Critics have questioned its financial transparency, and some past leadership issues have drawn public attention. Yet the organization maintains accreditation and publishes audited financial statements. For many supporters, these challenges only reinforce the need to engage faithfully—with prayer, oversight, and generosity—rather than retreating from the mission of standing with suffering believers.

Looking Forward

Today, Voice of the Martyrs continues to respond to persecution in varied forms: not just under Communist regimes, but in Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, and tribal contexts. The call remains the same: to be a voice for those who cannot freely speak, to serve the afflicted, and to draw the global church into deeper solidarity through prayer, action, and sacrifice. VOM’s work invites every Christian to remember Paul’s words in Hebrews 13:3: “Remember those in prison as if you were in prison with them, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” By telling the stories of our persecuted brothers and sisters, the Voice of the Martyrs continues its founders’ call to faithfulness—and to a gospel that cost everything.

Conclusion

The Voice of the Martyrs stands as a powerful example of Christian discipleship in action. Born from the suffering of Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, it has grown into a global ministry that combines advocacy, practical aid, and spiritual encouragement for the persecuted Church. Its history challenges believers to look beyond their comfort and to stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ who face persecution for the name of Jesus. In doing so, VOM embodies a legacy of remembrance, courage, and sacrificial love—the kind of gospel witness that honors both the cross and the risen Christ.