BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — “Our hearts are broken” but the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) “will continue serving with our persecuted brothers and sisters,” the ministry stated after the death of its executive director in mid-April.
Tom White, 64, who led VOM for more than two decades, died in what is being described as a possible suicide on the heels of a molestation investigation by local police.
White was reported missing April 17. Police found his body April 18 in a warehouse at VOM’s headquarters in Bartlesville, Okla.
Police reported that a note was found in his vehicle that suggested he was suicidal or possibly fleeing to avoid investigation into allegedly molesting a juvenile female.
“None of those in leadership at VOM, including our board of directors, were aware of these allegations at the time of Tom’s death,” VOM officials said in a statement April 20.
Under White’s leadership, VOM had become one of the most recognized persecution ministries.
Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand after both were imprisoned in communist Romania for their faith, VOM focuses on assisting believers in countries where they suffer persecution and raising awareness of their plight.
White worked personally with the Wurmbrands and was imprisoned himself in Cuba. Communist troops captured him in May 1979 after the plane from which he was dropping Christian material crash-landed. VOM, in its statement, noted, “There is no doubt that Tom cared about his wife, his children and his grandchildren. And there’s no doubt that he cared about VOM. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our hearts are broken.
“However, the work that God has called VOM to do is bigger than any one of us. There are persecuted Christians who need our help. The legal process will go forward, and we will continue serving with our persecuted brothers and sisters. We appreciate the many who are praying for our work, and we encourage you to join us in praying for Tom’s family during this difficult time.”
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