David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson (Hammond, Indiana, May 19, 1931 – Texas, April 27, 2011) was a renowned American evangelist.

Reverend David Wilkerson began his ministry in mid-1958 preaching to marginalized people in the suburbs of New York and had great success, especially after the conversion of Nick Cruz, who was the leader of a feared local gang. His autobiographical book, The Cross and the Dagger, recounts exactly this period of his life, which lasted five years.

In 1967, David Wilkerson initiated the Youth Crusades, aimed at middle-class teenagers who were bored and restless, seeking drugs, violence, and anarchy. Many young Christians demonstrated enthusiasm and dedication to the Christ-centered service of evangelization.

The Teen Challenge ministry has reached youth and adults worldwide. The ministry's global impact is the subject of research and documentaries, and its results are striking. Teen Challenge is the largest, longest-running, and most successful drug recovery program, reaching over 170 service centers in the United States and 250 worldwide.

In the 1970s, the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse found that the Teen Challenge program had an 86% success rate and a very low recidivism rate. The research recognized that the most important aspect of the anti-drug program was "the Jesus factor."

In 1986, the commission for Times Square Church came, which was inaugurated in 1987.

Throughout decades of Christian service, David Wilkerson's ministry was characterized by Christ-centeredness in teaching, preaching, and writing.