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David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.
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David Wilkerson emphasizes the call from heaven for believers to find their rest in Christ, urging them to detach from worldly distractions and materialism. He highlights the importance of faithfulness, reminding us that Jesus was faithful to God, and encourages Christians to hold steadfast to their confidence in Him. As trials and battles intensify, believers must recognize the lies of the enemy, who targets those striving to enter God's rest. Wilkerson reassures that there remains a rest for the people of God, which is achieved through total trust in His Word. He calls for a personal encounter with God, where the Holy Spirit can provide strength and peace to weary souls.
A Place of Rest
“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house” (Hebrews 3:1-2). The book of Hebrews offers a strong, vital word to all who are “partakers of the heavenly calling.” This means that you hear heaven calling you. Even now heaven is calling for a people who are free from the materialism and foolishness of this world — Christians who wake up each morning and hear Jesus calling them to himself. They look at all that surrounds them and cry inwardly, “Jesus, my heart is not here, my future is not here. Nothing in this world satisfies me. You alone, Jesus, are my life.” “[Jesus] was faithful to Him who appointed Him” (Hebrews 3:2). Faithfulness means simply believing that God will keep his Word to us. In this sense, we are to “hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end” (Hebrews 3:14). Over time, as your trials increase and the battles grow more intense, you may become weary. Daily, you have an enemy who is out to destroy you; he is a liar and a seducer. Jesus said, “The devil … does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him … he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). Satan doesn’t waste his time lying to sinners; they are already held prisoner by his deception. No, he lies to those believers whose hearts are set on the Lord. In fact, Satan uses his most subtle, convincing lies against those who are determined to enter God’s provided rest. “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God … Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:9, 11). “Resting in God” means to enter a place of total trust in His Word. It is a place of faith, a continuous confidence that God is with us, that He cannot fail, and that he will see us through to the end. Spend time with your Father today and let the Holy Spirit minister to your heart and strengthen you. Find rest for your weary soul with a total surrender to God.
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David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.