Blog 85 – 8.3.15

I think that each of us is a magnificent being awakening to our highest potential. There are opportunities for us to accomplish great things in our lifetimes if only we are awake enough to seize those opportunities. David Wilkerson was the pastor of a small town church and taking a break from preparing a sermon he picked up a magazine and read an article about some teens in serious trouble in New York City. He wondered if he could help them in some way. That moment of wakefulness changed his life and the life of countless teens including me.

The story of David Wilkerson first reached me in The Republic of South Vietnam in 1970. I was on a long summer vacation with my Uncle Sam and a bunch of brothers wearing green and jungle boots. It was also my last year as a teenager as I turned twenty in Vietnam. I tease people when they ask me if I saw any action in Vietnam that I saw the movie Patton in the NCO Club. I spent most of my last year as a teenager in Vietnam serving in the U.S. Army Security Agency as a teletype repairman.

Up until 1970 I had read very little but having a lot of free time and a mountain of books sent for U.S. soldiers by a thoughtful American public, I read a lot of books on many subjects. One of those books that really got to me was David Wilkerson’s book, The Cross and the Switch Blade. David followed his heart to New York City and it is a story I encourage everyone to read. The ministry he started Teen Challenge is still helping troubled teens today not just in New York City but all across the United States and around the world. Imagine what effect you could have on your world if you woke up to one of the opportunities that is around all of us to love and make a difference.

I want to share but two scenes from The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson with you to hopefully whet your appetite for more. Dave did not get to be of help to the teens he read about in the magazine but while in New York trying to he discovered a whole subculture of teen aged gangs hungry for something to give meaning to their lives. Dave believed the message of the love of God was what these kids needed to hear and he made it his mission to see that they did.

One particular teenaged gang leader, Nicky Cruz was a really hard sell. He acted tough, rough, and mean. David, of course, as preachers will, used every opportunity to try to convince Nicky to give his heart to Christ and it really bugged Nicky. One day he was so exasperated he said to Dave, “Preacher, if you say one more word to me about Jesus I’m going to take this switchblade knife and cut you into a thousand pieces.” Dave, simply, replied, “And if you do every one of those pieces will just lie there loving you.” Who could long resist such a love? Nicky could not and after he surrendered to Love he reached more teenagers and continues to than even David did in his entire lifetime.

As a word of warning, some of you Sunday School ladies might find this next portion from the book too graphic. I do not and so I share it to hopefully make a point. The scene took place at the first gospel meeting Dave put together where several rival gangs were invited to a preaching service. It followed the model that David had been taught in The Assemblies of God. They even took up an offering from the kids in attendance.

At the end of a short gospel message Dave invited those who would like to ask Jesus into their hearts to come forward. Surprisingly, or maybe not, several young men stood up and began to make their way to the aisles to come forward. As the boys made their way forward several of their girlfriends stood, opened their blouses, took out their breasts, and said loud enough for all to hear, “If you go down there you won’t get this anymore.” Before you judge those young women too harshly for this display think that in their minds they were about to lose the only love they had probably known in their lives. My heart broke for them. Some of the boys were stopped in their tracks and returned to their seats unwilling to lose the only tenderness they too had known in their short hard lives.

Dave Wilkerson understood that young love and desperation did not need to be berated or condemned but he worked with those young people where they were and helped many of them to better choices and lives where they knew that the highest and best loves are not just about giving to get but about knowing we are loved completely as we are and enough that we too have love enough within us to share with others no strings attached.

I hope my words have paid honor to the memory of a man who helped many young men and women but in particular one young man, scared, and away from most everything he knew and everyone he loved to see the power of love to change lives. Thank you, Dave Wilkerson for the gift of Love you shared with many teenagers including me.

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White