The Cross and the Switchblade
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The Cross and the Switchblade Mass Market Paperback – November 15, 1986
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From the Back Cover
The tortured face of a young killer, one of seven boys on trial for a brutal murder, started country preacher David Wilkerson on his lonely crusade to the most dangerous streets in the world.
Violent gangs ruled by warlords, drug pushers and pimps held the streets of New York’s ghettoes in an iron grip. It was into this world that David Wilkerson stepped, armed only with the simple message of God’s love and the promise of the Holy Spirit’s power.
Then the miracles began to happen…
The Cross and the Switchblade is one of the most inspiring and challenging true stories of all time. It has sold millions of copies throughout the world and has been made into a feature film. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
About the Author
David Ray Wilkerson (May 19, 1931 -- April 27, 2011) was an American Christian evangelist, best known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade. He was the founder of the addiction recovery program Teen Challenge, and founding pastor of the non-denominational Times Square Church in New York. He is survived by his wife and 4 children. SPANISH BIO: David Wilkerson es fundador del reconocido miniteriode rehabilitiacin Teen Challenge. Ademas, es autor del bestseller 'La cruz y el Punal' asi como de 'No te des por vencido' y 'El Llamado Final' entre otros.
--This text refers to the
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
71 of 76 people found the following review helpful
By
Charles A. Fletcher
on June 28, 2001
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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The story of how David Wilkerson came to found Teen Challenge should be a must read for anyone who follows Jesus Christ. The Cross and the Switchblade describes how Wilkerson put feet on his faith that took him from rural Pennsylvania to the streets of New York City. It's the story of how a pastor followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and reached out to minister to people with whom the churches would not associate.
Wilkerson describes in his book how essential it is to meet the unloved where they are, rather than waiting for them to show up in church all dressed up and ready to worship within the ranks of the clean and respectable. He also rightly emphasizes the importance of follow up, how one can't just expect to go out and distribute tracts or preach from street corners without also developing real, loving relationships with people and ministering to their needs, both spiritually and physically.
Now that Teen Challenge International has grown to over 200 centers around the world, it is interesting to note that the struggle in recovery ministry continues to be much the same: It's extremely difficult to get people to reach out in love to those who have never been loved, and it's nearly impossible to get church members to venture outside their doors to love their neighbors as they love themselves.
I praise God for Rev. Wilkerson and the way that he listened to God and ventured out in faith. I thank him for sharing the story of his work.
Wilkerson describes in his book how essential it is to meet the unloved where they are, rather than waiting for them to show up in church all dressed up and ready to worship within the ranks of the clean and respectable. He also rightly emphasizes the importance of follow up, how one can't just expect to go out and distribute tracts or preach from street corners without also developing real, loving relationships with people and ministering to their needs, both spiritually and physically.
Now that Teen Challenge International has grown to over 200 centers around the world, it is interesting to note that the struggle in recovery ministry continues to be much the same: It's extremely difficult to get people to reach out in love to those who have never been loved, and it's nearly impossible to get church members to venture outside their doors to love their neighbors as they love themselves.
I praise God for Rev. Wilkerson and the way that he listened to God and ventured out in faith. I thank him for sharing the story of his work.
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By
A Customer
on December 5, 1999
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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It's hard to believe that a book written about events that took place almost forty years ago could just as easily have been written today. David Wilkerson followed God's call to work with "lost" children, and the work continues today. Miracles do still occur, and Wilkerson has witnessed them. His story about the inner city gangs of New York is gripping, but the fact that his "Teen Challenge" centers may be found all over the world is just as gripping. An incredible story.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By
Colleen Brown
on February 23, 2006
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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This book is as relevant today as it was almost 50 years ago. I read it first as a teenager in the 60's, then as a Jr. High teacher I read it to my class, and I'm reading it again now. My Dad became a Christian after reading this book. My husband read it on guard duty in Vietnam, and became a Christian a short time later. It is a powerful book about a vibrant ministry, Teen Challenge, that is still reaching drug addicts today. Don't read this book unless you are ready for the Holy Spirit to "Grab" you!
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By
House Of Prayer Inc
on December 13, 2008
Format: Paperback
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If you want to know what Pentacostal means in real life, this true story will give you a hands on answer.
This testimony of David Wilkerson shows clearer, than I have ever read, that only by the power of the Holy Spirit the fetter of drug addiction and the hopelesness of gang life can be broken and turned around 180 degrees to brimming joy, hope and true life in peace.
This gripping story takes you to the heart and the utter and fearsome loneliness of gang members in 1958 New York City. It shows how the mercy of God wipes the sin and fear away and how HIS grace gives new hope and a purposeful, meaningful life. The book also tells us the birth of the now world wide ministry of Teen Challenge.
I think the situation of downtown New York City in 1958 still exists today and it exists in thousands of large and small towns across the USA and the world. It is one of big everyday challenges to the church today. Jesus has promised us, that the poor will always be with us. The question is - what do we do with them?
I want to call this book a must read for every youth pastor and persons involved in youth ministry.
This testimony of David Wilkerson shows clearer, than I have ever read, that only by the power of the Holy Spirit the fetter of drug addiction and the hopelesness of gang life can be broken and turned around 180 degrees to brimming joy, hope and true life in peace.
This gripping story takes you to the heart and the utter and fearsome loneliness of gang members in 1958 New York City. It shows how the mercy of God wipes the sin and fear away and how HIS grace gives new hope and a purposeful, meaningful life. The book also tells us the birth of the now world wide ministry of Teen Challenge.
I think the situation of downtown New York City in 1958 still exists today and it exists in thousands of large and small towns across the USA and the world. It is one of big everyday challenges to the church today. Jesus has promised us, that the poor will always be with us. The question is - what do we do with them?
I want to call this book a must read for every youth pastor and persons involved in youth ministry.
Thank you for your feedback.
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By
tintin2002
on March 12, 2004
Format: Paperback
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This book brought tears to my eyes at God's love and mercy, and made me want to dance for joy at His provision and greatness. David Wilkerson started out as a preacher in a country church -- where he is a good Christian, and doing God's work. But one day, he feels as if God is leading him to New York to minister to a few thugs who have killed a boy. He follows the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and goes, and what follows is an amazing ride. God comes through again and again -- often at the 11th hour, when all seems lost. Isn't that just like God?
I highly recommend this book because it is a great testimony to what untold miracles can happen in the lives of Christians when we step out of our comfort zones and go out on a limb for God. And the way He comes through will take your breath away. If I wasn't a Christian, I would think the story was pure fiction because it sounds too amazing to be true. But because I am one, and I have caught glimpses of what God can do for His children, I can say of the miracle upon miracle in Cross and the Switchblade: "Yes, God is totally capable of that!''
To my mind, most of us don't enjoy this exhilerating journey with God because we don't trust Him enough to take risks for Him. David Wilkerson did, and God displayed all his wonders. Read this and be challenged. I certainly was.
I highly recommend this book because it is a great testimony to what untold miracles can happen in the lives of Christians when we step out of our comfort zones and go out on a limb for God. And the way He comes through will take your breath away. If I wasn't a Christian, I would think the story was pure fiction because it sounds too amazing to be true. But because I am one, and I have caught glimpses of what God can do for His children, I can say of the miracle upon miracle in Cross and the Switchblade: "Yes, God is totally capable of that!''
To my mind, most of us don't enjoy this exhilerating journey with God because we don't trust Him enough to take risks for Him. David Wilkerson did, and God displayed all his wonders. Read this and be challenged. I certainly was.
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20 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By
Gary Lo
on February 25, 2000
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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The book The Cross and the Switchblade, which took place in 1958, was an excellant book. It was an really inspirational story. It can open people's eyes and let them know that things in this world are worse than we think. It made me more considerate.
This book is about a reverend named David Wilkerson who went to New York to get seven teenagers off a murder trial. He spontaneously went because he saw their faces in LIFE Magazine and felt the need to help them. It helped people know of a Christ through reverend Wilkerson.
This story opended up a lot of people's eyes. The reverend's for one, because he didn't know theat these problems existed in New York. It also affected the people that he came in contact with and the people who read his book because he was and still is an inspiration to all of them. Me personaly because it helped me become more courteous and aware of people with those kinds of problems.
This book is about a reverend named David Wilkerson who went to New York to get seven teenagers off a murder trial. He spontaneously went because he saw their faces in LIFE Magazine and felt the need to help them. It helped people know of a Christ through reverend Wilkerson.
This story opended up a lot of people's eyes. The reverend's for one, because he didn't know theat these problems existed in New York. It also affected the people that he came in contact with and the people who read his book because he was and still is an inspiration to all of them. Me personaly because it helped me become more courteous and aware of people with those kinds of problems.
Thank you for your feedback.
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