- Home
- Speakers
- David Wilkerson
- True Believers Holding On
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.
Download
Sermon Summary
David Wilkerson emphasizes that the New Testament church was born in glory and power, filled with the Holy Spirit and unafraid of persecution. He warns that in the final hour, the church may face a falling away, but true believers will hold on and experience victory, joy, and peace amidst affliction. Wilkerson assures that God will pour out love and mercy on His people, redeeming those who have strayed. He encourages believers to remain strong in the Lord, as the church will not exit quietly but will triumphantly proclaim God's power. Ultimately, God promises to uphold His covenant of peace and mercy, ensuring that His true church will endure until the end.
Scriptures
True Believers Holding On
The New Testament church was born in a blaze of glory. The Holy Spirit came down upon it with fire, and the first Christians spoke with tongues and prophesied. The fear of God fell upon them and upon all who saw them, and multitudes were converted. It was a triumphant church, unafraid of Satan, irreverent toward idols, unmoved by plagues or persecution. It was a blood-washed church, living and dying in victory. How will the church go out in its final hour? Will it go out as a fat, prosperous, self-seeking church? Will it be just a handful of true believers holding on, watching death and apostasy eat away at it like a cancer? Will the last-days church live in dread and fear as fewer overcome the world? To be sure, there will be a falling away; there will be deceivers teaching doctrines of demons and even some of the elect will be severely tested. But the church of Jesus Christ is not going out with a whimper. It is going out victorious, with joy unspeakable, riding a river of peace. It is going out in freedom from all bondage, and every member of this true church will live and die without fear. Last-days believers will be just as strong in the Lord as the first Christians! The church is going to experience an undeserved outpouring of love, mercy, and kindness. It will come in a time of great affliction, with anxiety on all sides. “‘With everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,’ says the Lord, your Redeemer … ‘My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has mercy on you” (Isaiah 54:8-10). God will have an overcoming people. A merciful Father will draw his children to himself and redeem multitudes who have turned their backs on him. What he is saying to the church he is also saying to individual believers. Is that you? Are you experiencing a sudden, violent disturbance? God’s promise is to all who are tossed in a storm. He has determined to close out the ages with a mighty exaltation of his name. What a display of power it will be!
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download

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.