David Wilkerson

I have always been fascinated with New York City.  I didn't have opportunity to personally visit until I was around 40 years old but I went there in other ways--through books.  As a teen, there was a fiction young adult series in the church library, each about a teen drug addict in the city who through various paths turned his/her life around and gave their life to Christ.  I loved those stories of redemption and life in the city!

Probably no one has done more to transform New York City than David Wilkerson, author of The Cross and the Switchblade. David's son, Gary, shares the story of his father--a man whose faith and hard work, reaching out to the unlovable, helped change the streets of a drug filled, gang filled city by sharing the love of Christ. But David was human too and his life wasn't always something to write home about but he didn't give up.  He had struggles but trusted God.  What a lesson we could all learn!

I love that Gary didn't paint his father as perfect but shared with the readers his struggles.  God used him anyway just as He can use me given my limitations and shortcomings.  All the better to show God is the one at work rather than me, right?  The text is easy to read and can easily be completed in a day.  A must read for anyone who loved The Cross and the Switchblade or one who enjoys biographies.  Personally, I loved it!

When I saw this book available through the publisher for review, I ordered it immediately. Just three weeks ago, I passed Wilkerson's church in NYC and spoke with one of the members who invited me to visit next time we were in town.  Think I might just take him up on it and see for myself the impact Times Square Church is having on the city.  As mentioned, I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive review.