About: Sigurd Bratlie

Sigurd Rudolf Guldbrandsen Bratlie (July 27, 1905 – January 24, 1996) was the leader of Brunstad Christian Church from 1976 until his death in 1996. Bratlie was born in Nordstrand, Norway and was the youngest of nine children.A tailor by trade, Bratlie met Johan Oscar Smith at a church service in 1920 while still serving his apprenticeship. He became an influential member, and later leader, of Brunstad Christian Church. He travelled widely as a missionary and was the subject of international media attention when he was imprisoned for 143 days in Baghdad, Iraq in 1978 for holding Christian meetings. He was also arrested for conducting missionary activity in Romania in 1974, a country then under the rule of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu.