David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson – Life, Ministry, and Legacy

Explore the life of David Wilkerson (1931–2011), the American evangelist and pastor behind The Cross and the Switchblade, founder of Teen Challenge, and the Times Square Church. His ministry to gang members, writings, and prophetic voice left a lasting mark in Christian circles.

Introduction

David Ray Wilkerson (May 19, 1931 – April 27, 2011) was a U.S. Pentecostal evangelist, pastor, author, and pioneer of urban and addiction ministries.

He is best known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade, his founding of Teen Challenge, and establishing Times Square Church in New York City. His life story is a compelling testament to radical compassion, cross-cultural ministry, and prophetic challenge to moral drift.

Early Life and Family

Wilkerson was born in Hammond, Indiana, on May 19, 1931.

He grew up in Barnesboro, Pennsylvania (some sources also list Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania) in a “house full of Bibles.”

After finishing high school, Wilkerson attended Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri (a school affiliated with the Assemblies of God), and in 1952 he was ordained as a minister.

In 1953, he married Gwendolyn “Gwen” Carosso Wilkerson.

Ministry Beginnings & Calling to New York

In his early ministry, Wilkerson served small congregations in Scottdale and Philipsburg, Pennsylvania.

A pivotal moment occurred in 1957–1958: while reading Life magazine, he saw a photograph and article about seven teenage gang members from New York City (members of gangs such as the Egyptian Dragons) being prosecuted for murder.

He felt a divine burden to reach out to them. In February 1958, he traveled to New York, attempted to speak at the courtroom but was ejected, and then began street ministry among gangs, addicts, and youth in crisis.

His efforts eventually led to conversions among gang leaders such as Nicky Cruz, who later became an evangelist himself.

In 1958 (or shortly thereafter), he founded Teen Challenge, a Christian-based recovery program for people struggling with addiction, especially youth.

The Cross and the Switchblade & Rising Influence

In 1963, Wilkerson published The Cross and the Switchblade, co-written with John and Elizabeth Sherrill. The book recounts his experiences in New York among gangs, and particularly the transformation of Nicky Cruz and others.

The book became a major evangelical bestseller—published in many languages—and was adapted into a film in 1970 starring Pat Boone and Erik Estrada.

This work significantly raised Wilkerson’s profile, enabling him to expand his ministry beyond New York to national and international spheres.

Later Ministry & Institutions

Youth Crusades and World Challenge

In 1967, Wilkerson initiated Youth Crusades, an outreach ministry to prevent at-risk young people from falling into drug use, violence, or aimlessness.

In 1971, he founded World Challenge, a global ministry organization to support Christian mission, social programs, and spiritual encouragement.

He also founded the Summit International School of Ministry and organized conferences to strengthen pastors around the world.

Times Square Church

One of Wilkerson’s most lasting legacies is the founding of Times Square Church in New York City, in October 1987.

When he sensed a burden over the moral and spiritual brokenness in Times Square—then notorious for sex work, drug use, runaways, and entertainment vices—he prayed, “God, you’ve got to raise up a testimony in this hellish place.”

The church initially met in Town Hall and later the Nederlander Theatre, before acquiring the Mark Hellinger Theatre in 1989/1991 as its permanent home.

Times Square Church was (and remains) interdenominational, with emphasis on biblical preaching, prayer, and outreach.

Theology, Style & Distinctives

Wilkerson’s preaching was marked by:

• A strong emphasis on Holiness, repentance, and God’s righteousness.

• A sense of urgent compassion toward those marginalized by society—gang members, addicts, addicts, broken youth.

• Prophetic warnings concerning moral decay, apostasy, judgement, and the need for revival. Some of his later writings and sermons included eschatological themes.

• Avoidance of denominational labels; he often described his work as interdenominational or non-denominational, seeking to serve the broad body of Christ.

He published numerous books and devotionals on Christian living, spiritual growth, moral struggle, and the times ahead.

Death & Legacy

On April 27, 2011, Wilkerson died in a car accident in East Texas after a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler. He was 79 years old.

His funeral and memorial services drew wide Christian attention and were broadcast to many congregations.

Wilkerson’s legacy continues through:

• Teen Challenge, which now operates globally providing residential rehabilitation and discipleship programs.

• Times Square Church, which remains active in NYC as a vibrant interdenominational church.

• World Challenge, serving churches and Christian leaders around the world.

• His writings and recorded sermons remain influential in evangelical and Pentecostal circles, especially for those concerned with urban ministry, revival, and spiritual renewal.

Notable Quotes

Here are a few representative quotations from David Wilkerson:

• “You could cut me up into a thousand pieces and lay them in the street. Every piece will still love you.” (spoken to Nicky Cruz)

• “God, you’ve got to raise up a testimony in this hellish place.”

• From his works and sermons: He frequently called the church to “anguish” over sin, to seek revival, and to live in holiness (his sermon “A Call to Anguish” is often cited).

Lessons from David Wilkerson

From his life and ministry, several lessons stand out:

1. Compassion in the city: Genuine ministry to the marginalized requires going into places of brokenness, not waiting for them to come to you.

2. Personal sacrifice matters: Wilkerson left relative comfort to pursue difficult, risky urban ministry.

3. Holiness and warning must be balanced with love: His style combined stern calls to repentance with deep compassion for sinners.

4. Institution-building grounded in vision: His founding of lasting organizations (Teen Challenge, Times Square Church, World Challenge) shows the long-term impact of vision sustained by obedience.

5. Non-denominational bridge work: His life challenged sectarian boundaries and sought unity under core biblical conviction.

6. Legacy beyond one lifespan: Even after his death, his influence continues through others he mentored, through institutions, and through writings.

Conclusion

David Wilkerson’s life is a dramatic story of radical obedience, prophetic voice, and enduring institutions. From a preacher’s son in Indiana to walking into gang-infested New York streets, he modeled a form of evangelism that confronts hardness, champions grace, and refuses to ignore suffering or sin.

His legacy lives on in programs that heal addiction, churches that preach God’s Word boldly, and a generation of ministers stirred by his example. Though he is gone, the echoes of The Cross and the Switchblade, of Teen Challenge’s rescue houses, and of Times Square Church’s bright presence continue to speak: faith that moves, love that confronts, and a call to a life wholly surrendered.

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