Tribute To Rev. David Wilkerson

 As it’s been awhile since I’ve posted, I’d like to resume regular entries of particular relevance to the time as follows below…

On Wednesday, April 27^th, 2011, Rev. David Wilkerson suffered fatal injuries in what was described as a head-on collision.  His wife, Gwen, the only other passenger in the car, is reported to be recovering from critical injuries sustained in the accident.

Rev. Wilkerson is perhaps best known as the author of The Cross and The Switchblade, a factual account of the life of Nicky Cruz, a young Puerto Rican gang leader in the late 1950’s in New York City. The book was later made into a small budget motion picture by the same name. Cruz, who came to the Lord Jesus through Wilkerson’s ministry, went on to found Nicky Cruz Ministries headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Bro. Wilkerson’s continued work with the street gangs culminated in the establishment of Teen Challenge in New York, City; a halfway house and rehabilitation center for young gang members, many of whom were addicted to alcohol and drugs. Today, Teen Challenge has multiple chapters in many of the 50 states, and Canada, as well as numerous other countries worldwide. The organization’s statistical success rate continues to exceed all similar secular, or religious, treatment institutions for which Wilkerson has steadfastly credited God’s direction and the power of the Holy Spirit. In addition, Brother Dave was pastor/founder of Time Square Church in New York, a thriving outreach to the disadvantaged inner city.

Over the years, my wife and I, our family, and ministry have been blessed and spiritually enriched by Brother Wilkerson’s monthly newsletters, and other materials, as well as his refusal to compromise scriptural truth for the shallow teachings of the modern liberal church movement.  He will be sorely missed.