Underground Church

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32032, 5 July 1969, Page 14

Underground Church

The underground Christian Church in Russia was 10 times bigger than the official “show church,” said the Rev. Richard Wurmbrand, a Rumanian Lutheran minister who was released three years ago after 14 years imprisonment in his homeland. Mr Wurmbrand said he was in New Zealand to tell the people about the underground Church in Communist countries—about its sufferings and its victories. He was also organising a New Zealand branch of his mission, known as “Jesus to the Communist World.” The mission was involved in missionary work in all Communist countries from North Korea to Rumania, smuggling Bibles, making broadcasts, and helping the families of “martyrs” through tourist couriers. Mr Wurmbrand claimed that every fourth Russian was a member of the underground Church, and that the Russian press was beginning to speak with increasing alarm about it. The Church had penetrated very high ranks of the Communist Government, and even Mrs Kosygin was claimed to have died a member. The minister said that the organisation he was forming in New Zealand would help the underground Church with money, prayer and counter-activities. Mr Wurmbrand is accompanied by his wife. He will speak in the Civic Theatre tomorrow afternoon and at the evening service in the Cathedral.