THE MOVIE ABOUT HIS MINISTRY (STARRING PAT BOONE and ERIC ESTRADA )
On April 27, 2011, while driving east on US Route 175 in Texas, Wilkerson crossed into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a tractor trailer. He was reportedly not wearing his seat belt, and was pronounced dead on the scene. His wife was wearing a seat belt, and was injured.
Actually, THIS April.
As in...YESTERDAY.
There is always hope for the drug addict. So often we assume there is no turning back. But there is, even for the most serious addict.
One of the dangers of driving in Texas is the long, flat, vast stretches of nothing, makes it very easy for highway hypnosis to set in and then nod off.
More here :
http://www.californiality.com/2011/04/david-wilkerson-killed.html
David Wilkerson, the legendary Christian evangelist, author of the best-seller The Cross and the Switchblade, founder of Teen Challenge and pastor of New York’s Times Square Church has been killed in Texas.
My television broadcasting colleagues at KETK-TV (NBC) in Tyler, Texas have informed me that Pastor Wilkerson, 79, was hit by a big rig while driving with his wife on Highway 175 at the Neches River bridge.
Wilkerson was pronounced dead. Mrs. Gwen Wilkerson was taken to ETMC Tyler, TX and is in critical condition.
The 18-wheeler went off the bridge into the riverbed below and the driver of the big rig was taken to ETMC Jacksonville, TX.
Texas state troopers on the scene said that the Wilkersons were hit head-on by a tractor trailer that moved into their lane. The truck driver saw their car and attempted to avoid the collision.
The accident scene was so severe that local Texas authorities expect the Neches River bridge to require reconstruction due to the heavy damage.
Upon hearing the news of the Wilkerson tragedy, countless Christian believers are in utter shock at the violence of David Wilkerson’s death, with most praying immediately for the lives of both Mrs. Wilkerson and the truck driver.
I personally know the quality of care at the East Texas Medical Center facilities and am confident that both survivors are receiving the best care possible. Tyler is the largest city in East Texas and the health care technology is very advanced.
“It is with deepest of sadness that we have to inform you of the sudden passing of Reverend David Wilkerson, our founding pastor,” Times Square Church Senior Pastor Carter Conlon announced from New York.
David Wilkerson’s The Cross and the Switchblade was made into a major motion picture, released in 1970. The movie starred legendary Hollywood actors Pat Boone and Erik Estrada.
Both Boone and Estrada are both expressing shock and sadness, as are Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Joel Osteen, Pat Robertson, Paul and Jan Crouch, Kenneth Copeland, Rod Parsley, Benny Hinn, Brian and Bobbie Houston, Robert Schuller and many other pastors and evangelists around the world.
In California, where more than one million teenagers were saved at David Wilkerson’s Christian rallies and Teen Challenge events , there is an outpouring of tears, prayers and gratitude.
“I quit prostitution and drugs after seeing The Cross and the Switchblade and hearing David Wilkerson speak,” said Lydia Hernandez of Los Angeles.
“I would have been dead years ago. I know that Pastor Wilkerson is with The Lord, but I’m still so sad about his death. I’m praying for his wife, but I don’t know what else to say,” declared Hernandez in tears.
Christians worldwide are being urged to immediately pray for Mrs. Gwen Wilkerson and the driver of the big rig. Many prayer vigils are happening throughout the night.
I have attended David Wilkerson events, read The Cross and the Switchblade, saw the movie numerous times, and am a regular reader of his blog. Wilkerson is one of the great figures in the history of Christianity. His impact was enormous.
Wilkerson’s last words on his blog, which he posted just minutes before he was killed, made me cry:
Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail—his love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word. There is no other hope in this world.
Heaven has gained a spiritual heavyweight as millions here on Earth mourn the death of David Wilkerson.
Oh no!
He was often on the local Christian radio station and The Cross And The Switchblade is one of the best books, ever.
How sad!
Wow.
Really sorry to hear this.
I saw the movie and read several of his books.
No doubt he is in heaven.
After 15 years of being in the porn cycle of remorse, resolves and failure, I heard Dave's message to flee temptation, not to drive where the stuff is, and to tell my wife (putting to death the temptation) I was finally free and have been for 16 years.
It's like the drunk or the drug addict saying the same. The key was taking in the right scripture, prayer and right application. It was amazing how quickly, I had been freed!
I have the feeling, many could testify the great effects of Dave's ministry and I can only say that I look forward to meeting him in heaven and shaking his hand!
The cross seems to have met the switchblade today. May God hold David in His hands.