Christian Goodreaders discussion

Hello Christian Goodreaders,

This is my first post as a new member.
My scoutmaster recommended "The Cross and the Switchblade" to our boyscout troup. Although we all read it, I think I was the only one that began to search. I had been attending a Presbyterian church in San Francisco, CA, USA. In the 5 years I was there, I never heard an altar call or the phrase "born again." Later, I went to Lowell High School. I heard an announcement, "all interested Christians, come to the Good News Gathering." The leader, Jeff Alport, shared the 4 Spiritual Laws with me and I accepted Christ. There was a time when David Wilkerson was very prolific. I read many of his subsequent books. However, I felt that his first was the most annointed. There was a gap of several decades before I started to Google his name. Eventually I read his wife's (Gwen) book "The Cross and the Scalpel"--a story of faith and courage in spite of cancer and surgery. I was sad when I discovered he suffered from a fatal car accident in April 2011. I regret never visiting Times Square Church in NY to hear him live. This book, I hope, will fill in the blanks for the years I "lost touch." If you've read the book or are a fellow David Wilkerson fan, please share your thoughts.

I read it when I was a teenager too. It was quite popular in my church. I haven't read it since, though I think I have a battered second hand copy on my shelves somewhere.

Nice!

Although I've never gotten around to reviewing it, I read The Cross and the Switchblade back in the early 1970s, and greatly appreciated it. I've also seen and liked the 1970 movie dramatization, which starred Pat Boone as Wilkerson and Erik Estrada as Nicky Cruz. (www.imdb.com/title/tt0068428 .)

David Wilkerson was one of the early powerful influences soon after I received Jesus Christ (along with AW Tozer and Leonard Ravenhill). I have been on his mailing list and then his email list.

I worked in ministry in NYC for four years and had opportunity to meet brother Wilkerson. The ministry I was involved with occasionally worked with some of the Time Square Church ministries.

He was a real man of God... and he is missed... but his message continues as does the ministry God entrusted him to start.

Yes. It was a great dramatization of a time and place where life was short. Life was cheap. Fear had the power to breed hate which released blood through violence.

Did any Good Reads members read ''Run Baby Run'' by Nicky Cruz? Nicky threatened David Wilkerson with a switchblade and DW says, ''Nicky, you can cut me into a million pieces and every piece would love you.'' At that moment, the agape of God blew away the spirit of fear. DW stood poised, confident, and courageous. NC recognized DK's bravery and said, ''you stand there like a man.'' '' Thank you,'' said Dk.

For me, this was an epiphany of the verse that says ''perfect love conquers fear.''

Yeah, I read that one too.

Because of the number of synagogues in the city I think one of the most strategic ministries in NY is Jews for Jesus. I think DW founded Outreach for Youth and Nicky Cruz founded Teen Challenge. What is the name of the organization you worked with?

Nicky Cruz was tight with a fellow gang member named Israel who got saved with him. I heard he wrote a book too. Does anyone know Israel's last name and the title of his book?

Keith wrote: "Because of the number of synagogues in the city I think one of the most strategic ministries in NY is Jews for Jesus. I think DW founded Outreach for Youth and Nicky Cruz founded Teen Challenge. Wh..."

Hi Keith, Dave Wilkerson founded Teen Challenge, I am not sure the name of Nicky Cruz's ministry.

I was with NYSUM (NY School of Urban Ministy).

NYSUM sounds like it gives many young believers a structured and relatively safe discipleship opportunity to put Mt 25:34-40 in action. It reminds me of my Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Physiology classes where we learned both by lecture and lab.

Does Times Square Church offer similar discipleship and business training opportunities? If they did, it would help men and women released from jail an opportunity to learn a trade, get hired, develop confidence, become a supervisor or even owner and disciple and train people who wore the same shoes they did.

These business ministries help free former criminals from the shame, guilt, sin cycle and bring them to a new summit where they can declare with confidence that ''I can do all thins through Christ who strengthens me.''

Keith wrote: "Does Times Square Church offer similar discipleship and business training opportunities? If they did, it would help men and women released from jail an opportunity to learn a trade, get hired, deve..."

Hi Keith,

There are many such ministries in NYC. Time Square Church would be able to direct you to appropriate places.

Has anyone read Gary Wilkerson's 2015 book, ''The Cross, the Switchblade, and the Man Who Believed?''

I read The Cross and the Switchblade as a teen. Many years later, I was subscribed to his newsletter. It helped build/edify my faith at that time in my life.