David Wilkerson, Evangelical Icon, Dies In Car Crash

By Adelle M. Banks
Religion News Service

(RNS) Evangelist David Wilkerson, who wrote the popular book The Cross and the Switchblade and founded New York's Times Square Church, died in a traffic accident Wednesday (April 27).

Wilkerson, 79, died after his car slammed into a tractor-trailer on a highway about 95 miles southeast of Dallas, according to The Associated Press. His wife, Gwen, was also injured but is expected to recover.

Wilkerson was known most for his outreach to street gangs, which he started after viewing a photo in Life magazine of New York City teens charged with murder.

He founded Teen Challenge, a ministry to young gang members and drug addicts, in New York in 1959. In 1963, he co-authored his best-selling story, which Christianity Today magazine listed in 2006 in the No. 32 spot on its "Top 50 Books That Have Shaped Evangelicals."

Wilkerson was an Assemblies of God pastor in rural Pennsylvania before starting his New York ministries, including the nondenominational Times Square Church that meets in a converted Broadway theater.

"The kingdom of God has lost a giant of the faith. His life touched millions," said Assemblies of God General Superintendent George O. Wood, in a statement. "He was godly, humble and represented everything that is best in a spiritual leader."

Wilkerson's last blog post, on Wednesday, addressed the inevitability of death.

"To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights," he wrote, "and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, 'I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. It was no accident."'

Comments

[seventhsanctum78]

05:39 PM on 06/06/2011

You never know ,how "God" will take us out of this world, I'm sure "David Wilkerson" is with" Jesus" now for eternity. The second coimng of Christ is imminent anyway.

[jsaiditfirst]

01:19 PM on 05/22/2011

I never followed him, and knew nothing about him. For all intents and purposes he might have been a fine person to the world. But whats up with statements such as 'it was God's will' and 'at least he's in heaven with his Lord and Savior?

[Rador]

12:26 PM on 05/04/2011

Will Mylon be at his funeral?

[MochaLite]

06:54 PM on 05/01/2011

HP-ers who snipe at this good man simply have never studied him. David Wilkerson's life and work are his testimony. Happily, he is now absent from the body but present with the Lord!

[Steve the Humanist]

05:56 PM on 05/10/2011

WOW!!! If you know this for a fact, then you must have seen it, which means you must have some sort of super powers that no one else has!!! Can I ask how you where your power comes from, and can you see my mother too?? Can you possibly tell me which lotto numbers to play as well?

[webonaire]

07:38 PM on 05/11/2011

The Spirit testifies--if you have the Spirit within, that is

If it was said about someone you admire, oh there in heaven now--would you go off like this?

[Querent]

05:24 PM on 05/01/2011

Not quite as dramatic as being hit by lightning, but still a pretty clear message.

[jsaiditfirst]

01:12 PM on 05/22/2011

Yeah. Time and unforeseen occurance befall us all.

[BoudiccaBlanc]

11:26 AM on 05/01/2011

My sympathy to his family; and wishes to his wife for a speedy recovery.

He was a inspiration to many. :)

[mustardhead98]

11:26 AM on 05/01/2011

If ever there was a person who practiced what he preached, it was Rev. Wilkerson. RIP to a truly humble man who never gave up on people.

SHAME on those who have the ill will to speak so terribly of a truly good-spirited man. Your comments show us loud and clear what type of person you are....and it isn't pretty....

[iamstymie]

11:16 AM on 05/01/2011

What an odd twist of fate! Oh well....it's God's will.

[jsaiditfirst]

01:14 PM on 05/22/2011

So, your saying that it was God's will that he drive into the rear of a tractor trailer, killing himself and badly injuring his wife?

[len501]

05:40 PM on 04/30/2011

I would advise my brothers and sisters in Christ to do their best not to be drawn into arguments with those who post these horrible statements about our faith in general and Pastor Dave in particular. We gain nothing by it and are only playing into the enemy's hands. We would do much better by praying for them. Pastor Dave is now with the Lord, enjoying eternal rest. Let us so live that we may join him.

[Byron Durham]

03:42 PM on 05/04/2011

'Let us so live' indeed - under the mercy and grace of a risen savior.

[HawaiianLady]

12:45 AM on 04/30/2011

God bless him, and give him rest in heaven forever.

[Nathaneal Green]

05:27 PM on 04/29/2011

As inevitable as is death, equally certain is the resurrection through the atonement of Jesus Christ. May we all apply the example of charity shown by this fallen disciple.

[FoxReincarnated]

03:38 PM on 04/29/2011

Im sure when I pass on someday, the Christians will say horrible things about me. So im just giving them what they would have given me. I didnt even know this pastor, too bad it wasnt Pat Robertson or Joel Osteen. Oh well, cant be too lucky I suppose.

[john1513]

04:02 PM on 05/18/2011

How considerate.

[tpk]

01:19 PM on 04/30/2011

Yes, it is about selling books and deluding himself and others. Making a very good living without working hard.

[mexamerican]

01:49 PM on 05/01/2011

that's really pretty ignorant. who are you to prescribe delusions to others or to read people's motivations? wilkerson worked w/ hardcore addicts and throwaway kids that no one else would touch w/ a ten-foot pole. he was certainly no pat robertson--he was steadfastly apolitical, and he was no joel osteen who preaches a mild form of self-esteem help. wilkerson served a community that is rarely served in this materialistic society.

[surreysdown]

02:18 PM on 04/30/2011

wow, you seek out this particular thread so you can exult in the death of a decent man and dance on his grave--a man who clearly had a postive affect. And were supposed to think being an atheist is a great path to follow I guess based on what its done for you?--turned you into a moral degenerate

[YourNewNeighbor]

01:25 PM on 04/29/2011

I'm no fan of religion but I'm always sad to hear of someone losing their life tragically.

[tpk]

01:22 PM on 04/30/2011

It's much easier and faster than dying from cancer. I would like to die fast one day.

[onlyThis]

12:50 PM on 04/29/2011

Even though I am not a Christian, I do support and admire anyone who genuinely tries to help those in need. He seemed like a good man. May you rest in peace in whatever afterlife there is.

[tpk]

01:25 PM on 04/30/2011

He receive a lot more from poor people than they from him. You don't need a religious guru to read a bible or a Koran.

[worldtrav]

11:19 PM on 04/30/2011

There is only evidence of an imaginary afterlife - but still, you can pay many churches for currency in that game.