Administrators Gail Posted May 2, 2011 Administrators Share Posted May 2, 2011 Quote: David Wilkerson Killed in Car Crash Wednesday, 27 April 2011 David Wilkerson, founder of World Challenge Ministries, was killed Wednesday in a car accident in East Texas. Charisma News spoke with Dr. Wayde Goodall, founder of WorldWide Family, who first verified the news. Goodall was with Wilkerson's son, Gary, when he was informed of the fatal accident. By late Wednesday night, Times Square Church in New York City announced the death of its founding pastor in a statement from Senior Pastor Carter Conlon: "Pastor David Wilkerson’s was a life fully given for the glory of God and souls of men. He was greatly loved and he will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with the family and we as a church body are committed to standing with them at this time of sorrow." The Wilkerson family issued a statement after midnight on the World Challenge web site: "We appreciate your prayers and our hearts are sorrowful, yet we rejoice at the joy of knowing David Wilkerson spent his life well. More information will be coming soon. Thank you for your prayers," the statement said. Additional unconfirmed sources are reporting that Wilkerson was killed in a head-on collision with a tractor trailer while traveling east on U.S. 175. His wife, Gwen, was also involved in the accident and reportedly remains in critical condition at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, Texas. “Today, the Kingdom of God has lost a giant of the faith. His life touched millions,” says George O. Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. “The Assemblies of God enjoyed a life-long relationship with David Wilkerson. He was godly, humble and represented everything that is best in a spiritual leader. Our heartfelt sympathy and prayer is extended to his wife, Gwen, and family.” World Challenge could not be reached for comment at the time of this report. Charisma News also reached out to other Wilkerson-run ministries, including World Challenge Missions, World Challenge Crusades and Mount Zion International School of Ministry. None of these organizations were immediately available for comment. On February 9, 1958, David Wilkerson felt the Spirit prompting him to spend late evenings praying rather than watching the Late Show. Wilkerson obeyed. At the time he was pastoring a rural Assemblies of God in Pennsylvania. “Two weeks and two days later, during his late night time of prayer, he felt prompted to pick up the February 24, 1958, edition of Life magazine,” Wood explains. “On pages 30-31, he wept as he looked at an ink sketching of seven members of the Dragon Gang on trial for killing 15-year-old polio victim, Michael Farmer. He felt the Spirit say to him, ‘Go and help those boys’.” Although Wilkerson had never been to New York City, 350 miles away, Wilkerson found himself three days later in a courtroom where the gang members were on trial. As Wood recalls it, the judge tossed Wilkerson out of the courtroom, but photographers captured his photo and he was later recognized by gang members as he witnessed on the street. “That late night time of prayer opened up the ministry David Wilkerson founded, Teen Challenge,” Wood says. “He obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit and every day approximately 24,000 men and women are experiencing the saving and delivering power of Jesus Christ from life-controlling issues in Teen Challenge Centers all around the world.” Wilkerson founded Times Square Church in 1987. Since 1999, he traveled around the globe holding conferences for Christian ministers. For over four decades, Wilkerson's evangelistic ministry included preaching, teaching and writing. He authored more than 30 books, including The Cross and the Switchblade, The Vision, Revival on Broadway, Hungry for More of Jesus, Have You Felt Like Giving Up Lately?, and The New Covenant Unveiled. Wilkerson was 79 and lived with his wife in New York City. He had four children and 11 grandchildren. Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Nan Posted May 3, 2011 Moderators Share Posted May 3, 2011 A giant of faith....it is years since I read his book, but it left a strong impression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottie Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 I was reading his book one Sabbath afternoon while in academy (1964). A mom of one of the other girls gave me a dirty look for reading a novel on Sabbath. It was the first time that I realized that people other than Adventists could love and work for Jesus. Made me more aware that maybe some of my own family really did love Him, even if they didn't go to church on Saturday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators John317 Posted May 4, 2011 Moderators Share Posted May 4, 2011 It's unfortunate that SDAs grow up thinking that way about other people, but it can't be blamed on the church. (I'm not saying this is what you're doing.) The Cross and the Switchblade is a true and great story, so I'm surprised anyone would have had that attitude about it. Makes you wonder if she knew anything about it. I used to see the author sometimes on TBN. He'll certainly be missed by millions of people all over the world. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kevin H Posted May 4, 2011 Moderators Share Posted May 4, 2011 Teen Challenge is a wonderful ministry! I read the Cross and the Swichblade when I was 15, a very powerful book. I am said to hear about Pastor Wilkerson's death and greatful for his legacy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted May 16, 2011 Members Share Posted May 16, 2011 Sorry to hear of his death. Didn't realize it was in a car accident. Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.