A Magazine Photo Sparks a Calling
In 1958, David Wilkerson, a young pastor from Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, received a calling that would change countless lives. While reading *Life Magazine*, he saw a photograph of seven teenagers on trial for murder in New York City. These young men, members of the "Egyptian Dragons" gang, had taken a life, and something stirred deeply within Wilkerson. He later recounted, "The Holy Spirit said to me, 'Go help them boys.'" ## Into the Heart of Gang Territory
Compelled by this divine direction, he left his pastoral duties and headed to New York City, driven by compassion and a sense of purpose.
Initially, Wilkerson's attempts to reach gang members were met with resistance. He was even escorted out of a courtroom when he tried to speak with the accused teens. Undeterred, he took to the streets, holding rallies and reaching out to those struggling with addiction and violence. His message was simple yet profound: there is hope for everyone, regardless of their past.
Among those he reached was Nicky Cruz, a notorious gang leader. Wilkerson's persistence and faith led to a dramatic encounter where he told Cruz, "You could cut me up into a thousand pieces and lay them in the street, and every piece will still love you." This profound expression of unconditional love was pivotal in Cruz's conversion to Christianity, a story later chronicled in Cruz's own book, "Run Baby Run."
As the ministry grew, Wilkerson founded Teen Challenge in 1960, establishing the first center in Brooklyn. This faith-based program offered a lifeline to young people struggling with addiction and gang involvement through rehabilitation, spiritual guidance, and vocational training. The success of the Brooklyn center led to the expansion of Teen Challenge across the United States and around the world, impacting thousands of lives.
The story of Wilkerson's mission was captured in the bestselling book "The Cross and the Switchblade," which emphasized the transformative power of faith. He consistently gave credit to Jesus, stating, "We humans can work hard for each other, and we should and we must work. But it is God, and only God, who heals." Through his unwavering faith and dedication, David Wilkerson left a legacy of hope and redemption, demonstrating that true change comes from divine intervention.
