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Soul Obsession: Let God set your Heart on Fire: A Passion for the Spirit's Blaze
Nicky Cruz is known by millions through Run Baby Run, the dramatic book and film of his early life, which told of his transformation from New York's most feared gang leader into one of the world's most famous and effective evangelists.
Soul Obsession presents a fascinating new insight into the Nicky Cruz of today. It tells stories of his family background and the people and experiences that have fundamentally shaped his faith and thinking, and explains how and why he is still totally devoted to God's calling.
Nicky then asks whether YOU have what it takes to make a difference. Having a Soul Obsession PASSION, for Jesus; MERCY, to see people through Jesus' eyes; and VISION, to know the purpose God has for your life.
Soul Obsession is packed with miracles, passion, challenge and drama. It will excite and inspire all with a heart for Spirit-led evangelism.
Soul Obsession presents a fascinating new insight into the Nicky Cruz of today. It tells stories of his family background and the people and experiences that have fundamentally shaped his faith and thinking, and explains how and why he is still totally devoted to God's calling.
Nicky then asks whether YOU have what it takes to make a difference. Having a Soul Obsession PASSION, for Jesus; MERCY, to see people through Jesus' eyes; and VISION, to know the purpose God has for your life.
Soul Obsession is packed with miracles, passion, challenge and drama. It will excite and inspire all with a heart for Spirit-led evangelism.
Paperback
First published June 7, 2005
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162 people want to read
About the author
Nicky Cruz
68 books119 followersNicky was only 3½ years old when his heart turned to stone. As one of 18 children born to witchcraft-practicing parents from Puerto Rico, bloodshed and mayhem were common occurrences in his life. He suffered severe physical and mental abuse at their hands, at one time being declared the "Son of Satan" by his mother while she was in a spiritual trance.
When he was 15, Nicky's father sent him to visit an older brother in New York. Nicky didn't stay with his brother long. Instead, full of anger and rage, he chose to make it on his own.
Tough, but lonely, by age 16 he became a member of the notorious Brooklyn street gang known as the Mau Maus (named after a bloodthirsty African tribe). Within six months he became their president. Cruz fearlessly ruled the streets as warlord of one of the gangs most dreaded by rivals and police. Lost in the cycle of drugs, alcohol, and brutal violence, his life took a tragic turn for the worse after a friend and fellow gang member was horribly stabbed and beaten and died in Nicky's arms.
As Cruz' reputation grew, so did his haunting nightmares. Arrested countless times, a court-ordered psychiatrist pronounced Nicky's fate as "headed to prison, the electric chair, and hell."
No authority figure could reach Cruz - until he met a skinny street-preacher named David Wilkerson. He disarmed Nicky - showing him something he'd never known before: Relentless love. His interest in the young thug was persistent. Nicky beat him up, spit on him and, on one occasion, seriously threatened his life, yet the love of God remained - stronger than any adversary Nicky had ever encountered.
Finally, Wilkerson's presentation of the gospel message and the love of Jesus melted the thick walls of his heart. Nicky received the forgiveness, love and new life that can only come through Jesus. Since then, he has dedicated that life to helping others find the same freedom.
He reaches today's youth because they relate to his background, trust his peer authority, and respond to the message of hope he delivers with both passion and conviction.
Run Baby Run is Nicky's story in book form.
When he was 15, Nicky's father sent him to visit an older brother in New York. Nicky didn't stay with his brother long. Instead, full of anger and rage, he chose to make it on his own.
Tough, but lonely, by age 16 he became a member of the notorious Brooklyn street gang known as the Mau Maus (named after a bloodthirsty African tribe). Within six months he became their president. Cruz fearlessly ruled the streets as warlord of one of the gangs most dreaded by rivals and police. Lost in the cycle of drugs, alcohol, and brutal violence, his life took a tragic turn for the worse after a friend and fellow gang member was horribly stabbed and beaten and died in Nicky's arms.
As Cruz' reputation grew, so did his haunting nightmares. Arrested countless times, a court-ordered psychiatrist pronounced Nicky's fate as "headed to prison, the electric chair, and hell."
No authority figure could reach Cruz - until he met a skinny street-preacher named David Wilkerson. He disarmed Nicky - showing him something he'd never known before: Relentless love. His interest in the young thug was persistent. Nicky beat him up, spit on him and, on one occasion, seriously threatened his life, yet the love of God remained - stronger than any adversary Nicky had ever encountered.
Finally, Wilkerson's presentation of the gospel message and the love of Jesus melted the thick walls of his heart. Nicky received the forgiveness, love and new life that can only come through Jesus. Since then, he has dedicated that life to helping others find the same freedom.
He reaches today's youth because they relate to his background, trust his peer authority, and respond to the message of hope he delivers with both passion and conviction.
Run Baby Run is Nicky's story in book form.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 31, 2018
Everyone should read
Nicky Cruz has insight that we all should heed. Well written book. May God be proclaimed through this book and all that Mr Cruz does.
Nicky Cruz has insight that we all should heed. Well written book. May God be proclaimed through this book and all that Mr Cruz does.
September 6, 2020
The introduction to this book is an amazing story, Cruz does make some excellent points throughout the book and his passion for serving God comes across loud and clear.
July 5, 2018
Exciting
This book is very encouraging to everyone. We all need Jesus.
And He gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to do His work. That is exciting!
This book is very encouraging to everyone. We all need Jesus.
And He gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to do His work. That is exciting!
July 11, 2018
Inspirational!
As I finished this book, I am asking God for more passion, more compassion, more love, and more soul obsession!
As I finished this book, I am asking God for more passion, more compassion, more love, and more soul obsession!
December 28, 2021
Personal testimony. Would I have read this if I hadn't hear about "The Cross and the Switchblade"?
August 8, 2023
Absolutely amazing book.
November 5, 2023
I read Run Baby Run as a teenager along with The Cross and the Switchblade. I just recently read the latter again (amazing book!) and wanted to see if there were other books available by Nicky. I’m so glad I found Soul Obsession. I knew about his time as warlord of the street gang the Mau Maus, but I was interested in his life after his conversion.
Soul Obsession dives into his deep dedication to Jesus, Nicky’s ongoing ministry, and his life as an evangelist. To think God so changed the heart and life direction of a boy once described by a court-ordered psychiatrist as destined for “prison, the electric chair, and hell” can’t fail to change your heart.
I was truly touched by how God brought Nicky’s mother and father to salvation after years of being infamous occult practitioners—what happens on the day of his mother’s conversion is a jaw-dropping experience. To those who know and love God, it’s seeing His amazing hand at work. Reading how Nicky forgave both his parents for years of abuse and how their relationship changed after their conversion was just one highlight of this compelling book.
There are a number of individual stories---both of strong workers in the faith, and others finding Christ for the first time. Through it all is Nicky’s fervent love for his Lord and savior. This is an uplifting book that will make you take a closer look at your own walk with God. Highly recommended reading!
Soul Obsession dives into his deep dedication to Jesus, Nicky’s ongoing ministry, and his life as an evangelist. To think God so changed the heart and life direction of a boy once described by a court-ordered psychiatrist as destined for “prison, the electric chair, and hell” can’t fail to change your heart.
I was truly touched by how God brought Nicky’s mother and father to salvation after years of being infamous occult practitioners—what happens on the day of his mother’s conversion is a jaw-dropping experience. To those who know and love God, it’s seeing His amazing hand at work. Reading how Nicky forgave both his parents for years of abuse and how their relationship changed after their conversion was just one highlight of this compelling book.
There are a number of individual stories---both of strong workers in the faith, and others finding Christ for the first time. Through it all is Nicky’s fervent love for his Lord and savior. This is an uplifting book that will make you take a closer look at your own walk with God. Highly recommended reading!
February 6, 2011
This book has changed my whole perspective on god, and I can really see his passion for god through it and have so much more understnading of gods power-and so much of it I can apply to living my own life-it has changes the way I want to approach life. An incredible life story and life changing read!
May 20, 2007
Awesome book - thanks Jude:) Great testimony of the sanctification of ex-gangster Nicky Cruz. Doesn't cover his salvation story, but it is a follow up of Run-baby-run.
November 18, 2012
A motivating read , dont read this if you dont want to be challanged in your out working of your christian life. Would read again.
May 4, 2013
Once again I was thrilled to read Nicky Cruz's testimony of his life changed by Jesus..great read
December 6, 2016
Written in an easy-to-read style, but a powerful book that both encourages and challenges the reader to get in line with God's priorities for them, to be a part of taking God's love to others.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews