PRE-003-0.03 A Word about Pastor David Wilkerson

0.03 A Word about Pastor David Wilkerson

Pastor David Wilkerson was the founder of Teen Challenge, The Founding Pastor of Times Square Church, and also the founder of World Challenge. He was born May 19, 1931 and went to be with The Lord on April 27th, 2011. Through his years of ministry Pastor David Wilkerson epitomized what it means to live by ones faith. He believed God for the impossible. In the 1950'92s Pastor David Wilkerson began a journey that would forever change the lives of many people and bring honor and glory to the Name of Christ. He came to New York City and being God gripped with a burden for the urban youth of this city began to preach The Gospel to gang members, drug addicts, prostitutes and everyone who would hear. As a result of his obedience Teen Challenge was founded and many young people addicted to drugs and violence were brought to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Many of these young people went on to become wonderful men and women of God. Pastor David Wilkerson did not come to New York with a plan. He came to New York with a burden, and a trust in his heart that God is able. His sermons are full of the powerful truths of The Gospel of Jesus Christ that were made real in his own life and ministry. The love that God placed in his heart for The Church and for fallen humanity could be heard in his voice and read in his letters.

In my life no man has been such an inspiration, mentor and leader as has Pastor David Wilkerson. The amazing thing about that statement is that I never once met him or shook his hand. I did not know him personally, but the impact he had on my life is too vast for me to tell in this short introduction. I remember as clear as day when my grandmother sat me in front of her television and popped The Cross and The Switchblade into her VCR. I remember thinking to myself this guy really believed in Jesus and boy did Jesus give him some guts. I went on to grow into an adolescent and made some wrong choices as a teen, I'92d '93grown out of church'94 and got on with '93real life'94. This '93real life'94 led me to drugs, gangs, jail and misery but in the deep subconscious of my mind I never forgot that Jesus was able to deal with people like me. I would go all the way until my late 20'92s before I finally heeded the call of God and surrendered to the gentle tug of The Holy Spirit, and shortly after I was saved during a tough struggle in my life I one day entered God Help Me into my internet search browser. As I scrolled through the many pages of suggestions I saw one that jumped out at me, it was the Times Square Church website and the name David Wilkerson caught my attention.

I lived in New York City all of my life and I NEVER once heard of a Church called Times Square Church, and as for Pastor David Wilkerson, well I remembered the name from the movie I watched as a kid but I had no idea he was pastoring a Church in New York City. Back when I was a child the story of The Cross and The Switchblade left a strong impression on my mind. However as an adult, stumbling onto Times Square Church'92s website changed my life. The ministry of Pastor David Wilkerson in my view has been to preach The Gospel of Jesus Christ with a broken heart for His people, and for the lost. As I said in a prior statement I never met Him, but I can honestly say that God used his life and ministry to draw me to Himself in a way that words cannot ever describe. It is my hope and prayer that The Lord will use these messages to do the same for you.

By: David Wilkerson