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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 that 'holy ground' is not a physical location but a spiritual state of being receptive and open to God. He illustrates this through Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush, where Moses had to remove his sandals, symbolizing the shedding of his reputation and pride. This act of humility allowed Moses to be in a position where God could truly work in him. Wilkerson encourages believers to pursue their personal holy ground by being honest with God and letting go of their worldly influences, leading to deeper revelations of God's presence. Ultimately, he calls for a commitment to prioritize a relationship with Jesus above all else.
Your Personal Holy Ground
When God called Moses from the burning bush, he commanded him: “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). Holy ground is not a physical place, but a spiritual one. When God commanded Moses to take off his shoes because he was on holy ground, he was not referring to a two-by-four plot of real estate. He was talking about a spiritual state. The place was holy! What place? The spiritual condition Moses had finally come to. His spiritual growth had brought him to a place where God could get through to him — receptive, open to listening, mature, and ready to be dealt with by a holy God. Holy ground is a place of no reputation and, as we know, the Lord himself stood in this same place: “He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant” (Philippians 2:7). At one time Moses was held in high esteem, respected in high government places, prestigious and privileged. But God could not use him until he tore away all that popularity and esteem and brought him to a place of no influence. Moses came to that place where he was broken and truly no longer cared about his work or his reputation. He was stripped of all his rights — because that is what was meant by the removal of his shoes. And that is when the great “I AM” was revealed. Thank God for that cleansing moment when by faith the old flesh is done away with and the hand of ministry is purified. Getting to your personal holy ground will require complete honesty before God — and perhaps some pruning. But when you come to the place of giving up your reputation, you will find revelation. Choose to pursue the Lord with all your heart and say with our fathers in the faith, “Take this whole world, but give me Jesus.”
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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.