Celebrating Corrie ten Boom

In 1940s Holland, Corrie ten Boom and her family made a life-altering decision: they opened their home to Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. At a time when fear and hatred were rampant, the ten Boom family risked everything to hide and protect the innocent, knowing full well that discovery meant certain death.

Corrie, alongside her father and sister, harbored Jews in a secret room behind a wall in their home, a room so small it could barely fit one person, let alone the handful they were hiding.

In 1944, their courage was betrayed.

The Nazis raided their home, and the ten Booms were arrested. Corrie, her father, and her sister Betsie were taken to the Ravensbrück concentration camp. There, amidst the brutality of the camp, Corrie’s faith remained her anchor. Even as she endured starvation, disease, and the death of her beloved sister Betsie, Corrie found ways to share God’s word. She famously remembered her sister’s words, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still,” a truth that kept her going.

One of the most powerful moments of her life came after the war when she found herself face-to-face with one of her former captors, a German soldier who had overseen her suffering. As he approached, seeking her forgiveness, Corrie was filled with overwhelming emotion. But with God’s strength, she was able to extend her hand and forgive him, saying, “I have forgiven you, brother. I have forgiven you with all my heart.”

After the war, Corrie traveled the world, sharing her story of faith, forgiveness, and the power of God to sustain us through even the darkest times. Her book, “The Hiding Place,” continues to inspire millions and reminds us that “with Jesus, even the darkest hour can be a moment of light.”

Corrie ten Boom’s legacy is one of hope in the face of evil, and a reminder that even in the most horrific circumstances, God’s presence can bring peace and strength.

Follow along this month on-air and online as we journey through history and celebrate the rich legacy of those who answered God’s call during Christian Heritage Month on BRIGHT-FM.