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Beyond the Cross and the Switcblade
People have constantly asked what happened to David Wilkerson, the 'skinny country preacher', since the publication of "The Cross and the Switchblade". This follow-up account includes stories about the people who are well-known through the pages of the first book, and about himself and his wife Gwen. Gwen, for example, had a severe bout of cancer, but through it they grew closer together.David Wilkerson also tells about what happened to his work after publication of "The Cross and the Switchblade", about the film, and Pat Boone's role in it. This is more than a gossipy behind-the-scenes story. In each chapter there are accounts of spiritual adventures. "It took me years to discover the premier lesson, that God has a timing all His own, and that I must not be impatient when His timing doesn't coincide with mine.""The spirit of God is still seen changing lives and transforming hopeless cases into triumphant witnesses." — Methodist Recorder
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First published January 1, 1975
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About the author
David Wilkerson
252 books253 followersDavid Ray Wilkerson was an American Christian evangelist, best known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade. He was the founder of the addiction recovery program Teen Challenge, and founding pastor of the non-denominational Times Square Church in New York.
Wilkerson's widely distributed sermons, such as "A Call to Anguish", are known for being direct and frank against apostasy and serious about making the commitment to obey Jesus' teachings. He emphasized such Christian beliefs as God's holiness and righteousness, God's love toward humans and especially Christian views of Jesus. Wilkerson tried to avoid categorizing Christians into distinct groups according to the denomination to which they belong.
Wilkerson was killed in a car crash in Texas on April 27, 2011.
Wilkerson's widely distributed sermons, such as "A Call to Anguish", are known for being direct and frank against apostasy and serious about making the commitment to obey Jesus' teachings. He emphasized such Christian beliefs as God's holiness and righteousness, God's love toward humans and especially Christian views of Jesus. Wilkerson tried to avoid categorizing Christians into distinct groups according to the denomination to which they belong.
Wilkerson was killed in a car crash in Texas on April 27, 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 4, 2017
Quaint, touching and authentic as a mid 20th century Pente preacher could get.
Beyond the Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson (1974) is quaint. People would have one of two reactions reading this. They will either think David Wilkerson is a fool or they will be impressed by the simplicity, almost naivety, of his faith and his consuming passion to reach young people where they were at.
Wilkerson was a product of his time and culture as is often revealed in his beliefs and reactions. He is a country boy brought up in a strict Pentecostal home and Bible College trained and an ordained minister by the time he is 21. His work with gangs and drug users in New York is legendary and told engagingly in the multi-million bestseller ‘The Cross and the Switchblade.’
Beyond the Cross and the Switchblade is more open, honest and authentic than the heroic predecessor. Wilkerson talks about the fear flying that plague him all his life – more like paralysed him. This limited the work he wanted to do so much – youth crusades around the US and the world. He was surrounded by miracles of provision, healing and changed lives yet he resolves this ambiguity of his personal life.
In this work he doesn’t shy away from the mistakes he makes or the conflict Gwen and he have in their marriage. Personally I found this refreshing and certainly doesn’t take away from powerful impact he had on so many lives. It’s almost like he is saying, you’ve read all the fabulous things in the Cross and the Switchblade, let me now tell you about the things that weren’t so fabulous. I want it to be real.
A couple of things are revealed in this work that are not in others. Firstly, one thing which I believe was a secret to his effectiveness, he polled thousands and thousands of young people to ask them what were the concerns that troubled them. He narrowed this down to three main areas which he focused on. Today we would call that market research. I’m not so sure that was happening in religious circles though in the 1960’s and 70’s.
The other thing which is touching is David’s concern for what he called the forgotten teenager. Yes working with drug addicts, gang members and prostitutes may have been dramatic and exciting but David realised there was a much larger group he needed to focus on. He was able to reach them before they had gone down life destroying paths.
I’m glad I tracked this down and read it for research into my current work. It certainly has given a much deeper insight into the man who Vinson Synan says “was one of the most transformational figures in Pentecostal and charismatic history.” I believe it’s true.
Anthony Venn-Brown
Author of A Life of Unlearning
Beyond the Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson (1974) is quaint. People would have one of two reactions reading this. They will either think David Wilkerson is a fool or they will be impressed by the simplicity, almost naivety, of his faith and his consuming passion to reach young people where they were at.
Wilkerson was a product of his time and culture as is often revealed in his beliefs and reactions. He is a country boy brought up in a strict Pentecostal home and Bible College trained and an ordained minister by the time he is 21. His work with gangs and drug users in New York is legendary and told engagingly in the multi-million bestseller ‘The Cross and the Switchblade.’
Beyond the Cross and the Switchblade is more open, honest and authentic than the heroic predecessor. Wilkerson talks about the fear flying that plague him all his life – more like paralysed him. This limited the work he wanted to do so much – youth crusades around the US and the world. He was surrounded by miracles of provision, healing and changed lives yet he resolves this ambiguity of his personal life.
In this work he doesn’t shy away from the mistakes he makes or the conflict Gwen and he have in their marriage. Personally I found this refreshing and certainly doesn’t take away from powerful impact he had on so many lives. It’s almost like he is saying, you’ve read all the fabulous things in the Cross and the Switchblade, let me now tell you about the things that weren’t so fabulous. I want it to be real.
A couple of things are revealed in this work that are not in others. Firstly, one thing which I believe was a secret to his effectiveness, he polled thousands and thousands of young people to ask them what were the concerns that troubled them. He narrowed this down to three main areas which he focused on. Today we would call that market research. I’m not so sure that was happening in religious circles though in the 1960’s and 70’s.
The other thing which is touching is David’s concern for what he called the forgotten teenager. Yes working with drug addicts, gang members and prostitutes may have been dramatic and exciting but David realised there was a much larger group he needed to focus on. He was able to reach them before they had gone down life destroying paths.
I’m glad I tracked this down and read it for research into my current work. It certainly has given a much deeper insight into the man who Vinson Synan says “was one of the most transformational figures in Pentecostal and charismatic history.” I believe it’s true.
Anthony Venn-Brown
Author of A Life of Unlearning
April 30, 2020
Another great book a man with a mission.
January 22, 2024
This book is a little different than the first book. The first book is more first hand relationships and life changing experiences. It focuses on a small group of specific people and their coming to Christ changes.
This book is more of a “behind the scenes book”. Both books have a lot of merit.
This book talks about David’s Trysting Place where he brings his problems to God and stays there until he hears a solution.
It talks repeatedly about David hearing from God and having success, and also him getting his own ideas and desires, getting proud and seeing failure.
We get a few behind the scenes of how and when the movie was made.
The sections with statistics on how Heroin moved from a NYC problem to a middle class white problem was chilling.
David starts to hire others to run Teen Challenge and he himself starts to focus on kids who are struggling but not doing something as desperate as heroin.
He ends the book on a more personal note including his fear of flying and his wife’s struggles with cancer.
I was reading this book amidst my own fundraising challenges and realized how much I was trying to do on my own merit vs praying and listening to a plan from God, so both an inspiring read, and practical implications for myself.
This book is more of a “behind the scenes book”. Both books have a lot of merit.
This book talks about David’s Trysting Place where he brings his problems to God and stays there until he hears a solution.
It talks repeatedly about David hearing from God and having success, and also him getting his own ideas and desires, getting proud and seeing failure.
We get a few behind the scenes of how and when the movie was made.
The sections with statistics on how Heroin moved from a NYC problem to a middle class white problem was chilling.
David starts to hire others to run Teen Challenge and he himself starts to focus on kids who are struggling but not doing something as desperate as heroin.
He ends the book on a more personal note including his fear of flying and his wife’s struggles with cancer.
I was reading this book amidst my own fundraising challenges and realized how much I was trying to do on my own merit vs praying and listening to a plan from God, so both an inspiring read, and practical implications for myself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2022
tells of the follow-up story to what happened after the Cross and the Switchblade and the very difficult work, not to mention, the various challenges that ensued...gave an insight to the sort of work, and more importantly, the character and reliance on the Holy Spirit, required for ministry...especially one as groundbreaking and challenging as this...
May 27, 2017
Another David Wilkerson book, for my annual heart strings reading. You know a book with all the feels.
March 30, 2020
Very honest. Life was tough and he messed up and he is honest about what happened.
September 19, 2021
Fantastic
Read
May 27, 20201st book (The Cross and the Switchblade) was much better.
January 4, 2012
I don't remember much of the Cross and the Switchblade as it was a long time ago but I'm sure most people my age have heard of it and the story of Nicki Cruz . It was around the same time I was introduced to the Charismatic movement at age 14.
I didn't see the movie unfortunately either, with Pat Boone, but I did like the hit song 'You Light Up My Life' recorded by Debbie Boone . It was on the radio quite a bit in the 70's. *sigh
This book is basically an update on David Wilkersons life and mission after making the movie and writing the book and what some of the characters have gone on and done with their lives.
I didn't see the movie unfortunately either, with Pat Boone, but I did like the hit song 'You Light Up My Life' recorded by Debbie Boone . It was on the radio quite a bit in the 70's. *sigh
This book is basically an update on David Wilkersons life and mission after making the movie and writing the book and what some of the characters have gone on and done with their lives.
May 22, 2011
AMAZING sequel to The Cross and the Switchblade. Highly recommended and a must read.
June 2, 2010
Talks of nicky's conversion to become a minister and a horoud story about ants disguising themselves as an attack on his purity. He hasn't failed just lying on an ant hill
March 7, 2013
An interesting and inspirational read by a good writer. The movie did not do the book justice.
If you have loved ones who are on the wrong road (to hell) this book is benefical.
If you have loved ones who are on the wrong road (to hell) this book is benefical.
February 23, 2013
The power to save ... heal ... deliver ... and set free from the bondages of sin is still found at the Foot of the Cross!
June 9, 2013
Again Read this when I was at school, was a good follow on from the Cross and the Switchblade.
Must read again!
Must read again!
November 6, 2015
It was good, very inspiring. It was nice to find out what happened with some of the kids from the first book. I didn't agree with some of the theology, but aside from that it was a good read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews