Cross and the Switchblade, The, 45th ann. ed. [Paperback]

John Sherrill (Author), Elizabeth Sherrill (Author), David Wilkerson (Author)

Book Description

Fifty years ago, when a lanky country preacher stepped onto the gang-ridden streets of New York City, most people thought he had gone over the edge. But David Wilkerson had faith that God was leading him and never looked back. Today his inner-city ministry, Teen Challenge, boasts residential and crisis counseling centers in more than seventy countries. Its Christian discipleship program has restored hope to tens of thousands of men and women with drug or alcohol addiction.
In this 45th anniversary edition of The Cross and the Switchblade, readers will experience anew the dramatic story that started it all. Since its original 1963 publication, The Cross and the Switchblade has sold more than 15 million copies. Wilkerson's story continues to inspire renewed faith in God's ability to overcome problems that even the most determined human efforts cannot resolve.

Foreword by Charles W. Colson.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Go to New York City and help those boys."

When David Wilkerson heard those words in his heart late one night as he glanced at a picture in Life magazine, he was dumbfounded. The boys in question were members of a violent gang and on trial for murder. He, on the other hand, was a country preacher settled comfortably in a little mountain church in Pennsylvania. What could God possibly expect him to accomplish--in New York City, of all places?

But the thought would not let him go--and his life and the lives of countless despairing teens were changed forever on account of it.

This is the riveting story of the founding of Teen Challenge, an inner-city ministry that today maintains residential and crisis counseling centers around the globe. But even more, it is a story of how the most unlikely people can hear--and follow--God's call to do the impossible.

This 45th anniversary edition includes a brand-new foreword by Charles Colson and two new epilogues celebrating Teen Challenge and reflecting on fifty years of following God's lead.

"David's story will touch your life in a way few books can."--from the foreword by Charles W. Colson

David Wilkerson (1931-2011) was the founder of Teen Challenge and World Challenge and longtime senior pastor of Times Square Church. He authored more than thirty books, including the bestselling The Cross and the Switchblade and Knowing God by Name. He ministered to people worldwide, and on the day of his death, he was still ministering.

About the Author

David Wilkerson (1931-2011) was the founder of Teen Challenge and World Challenge and longtime senior pastor of Times Square Church. He authored more than thirty books, including the bestselling The Cross and the Switchblade and Knowing God by Name. He ministered to people worldwide, and on the day of his death, he was still ministering.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Chosen Books; Special edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080079446X
• ISBN-13: 978-0800794460
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Holy Spirit at work, December 13, 2008

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House Of Prayer Inc (Garden City, KS) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cross and the Switchblade, The, 45th ann. ed. (Paperback)

If you want to know what Pentacostal means in real life, this true story will give you a hands on answer.
This testimony of David Wilkerson shows clearer, than I have ever read, that only by the power of the Holy Spirit the fetter of drug addiction and the hopelesness of gang life can be broken and turned around 180 degrees to brimming joy, hope and true life in peace.
This gripping story takes you to the heart and the utter and fearsome loneliness of gang members in 1958 New York City. It shows how the mercy of God wipes the sin and fear away and how HIS grace gives new hope and a purposeful, meaningful life. The book also tells us the birth of the now world wide ministry of Teen Challenge.
I think the situation of downtown New York City in 1958 still exists today and it exists in thousands of large and small towns across the USA and the world. It is one of big everyday challenges to the church today. Jesus has promised us, that the poor will always be with us. The question is - what do we do with them?
I want to call this book a must read for every youth pastor and persons involved in youth ministry.

5.0 out of 5 stars Holy Ghost Baptism, July 18, 2011

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TAE (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cross and the Switchblade, The, 45th ann. ed. (Paperback)

This book is an excellent testimony of a life yielded to the Spirit of Almighty God. It also illustrates the critical importance of the Holy Ghost Baptism to overcome addictions. The closer we get to the Lord's return, the more important it will be to have the baptism.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Be warned that there are some unneccessary and overly graphic descriptions of sex., November 19, 2010

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H. Jackowitz (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cross and the Switchblade, The, 45th ann. ed. (Paperback)

I saw this book in the Sonlight homeschool catalog and bought it for my son. I was disappointed when I read it after giving it to my teenage son to read because of the graphic and disturbing descriptions of NY gang members' perverted sexual activities. I found it interesting that the authors chose to blank out certain unacceptable words when used in dialogue among African American gang members (n-----) but they obviously did not use the same discretion with sexual imagery. Some might argue that sinful sexual acts are mentioned in Scripture; however, God did not give graphic descriptions but simple commands not to participate in those acts.

Also, this book is from a Pentecostal perspective, emphasizing the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" as an act separate from salvation and the necessary means for helping the gang members overcome their addictions. I do not share this understanding of Scripture, believing that all true believers are indwelt with the Holy Spirit.

All in all, I would not purchase this book again or recommend it.