The Cross and the Switchblade: The True Story of One Man's Fearless Faith - Paperback

by David Wilkerson (Author), John Sherrill (Author), Elizabeth Sherrill (Author)

"Go to New York City and help those boys."

When David Wilkerson heard those words in his heart late one night, he was dumbfounded. The boys in question were members of a violent gang and on trial for murder. He himself was a young country preacher settled comfortably in a little mountain church in Pennsylvania. What could God possibly expect him to accomplish?

But those words took root in his heart, and he knew he had to go. Risking everything--his career, his marriage, even his life--he found himself walking the streets of New York City and sharing the gospel with the most violent gangs and drug users, sometimes at knife point.

With over 15 million copies sold, this is the powerful, riveting true story of how God can use the most unlikely of people to do the impossible--and save those we think are beyond saving.

Back Jacket

"Go to New York City and help those boys."

David Wilkerson was taken aback when he heard God speak those words to him late one night as he stared at a picture of seven young gang members on trial for murder. He was simply a country preacher at a small church in Pennsylvania. What impact could he possibly make--especially in New York City?

But God continued to lay those boys on his heart, and he sensed this was his calling. So he uprooted himself from his comfortable life to pursue the dangerous mission God was calling him to. Not long after, he was moving among the most violent gangs and drug users in New York, sharing the Gospel.

This captivating story describes the founding of Teen Challenge--an inner-city ministry that today maintains residential and crisis counseling centers around the globe--and the man who obeyed God's summons to reach out to the least of these. It is also the story of how God can use anyone to save those we may think are beyond saving.

David Wilkerson (1931-2011) founded Teen Challenge and World Challenge (www.worldchallenge.org) and was the founding pastor of Times Square Church in New York City. He authored more than forty books, including the bestselling The Cross and the Switchblade and Have You Felt Like Giving Up Lately? With a particular longing to encourage pastors, he traveled around the globe. On the day of his death, he was still ministering.

Author Biography

David Wilkerson (1931-2011) founded Teen Challenge and World Challenge and was the founding pastor of Times Square Church in New York City. The author of more than 40 books, he traveled the globe encouraging pastors and sharing the gospel. On the day of his death, he was still ministering.

John and Elizabeth Sherrill have coauthored numerous bestsellers--classics such as The Hiding Place, The Cross and the Switchblade, and God's Smuggler--and have traveled the world researching and writing articles and books. They cofounded Chosen Books, along with Leonard and Catherine Marshall LeSourd. John passed away in December 2017 after a lifetime of dedicated ministry.