Teen Challenge Founder, David Wilkerson goes Home—Killed in Car Crash on Wednesday

Aimee Herd : Apr 28, 2011
News Staff – CBN.com

"Pastor David Wilkerson's was a life fully given for the glory of God and souls of men. He was greatly loved and he will be greatly missed." -Time Square Church statement

Rev. David Wilkerson, founder of the recovery program Teen Challenge and of the Time Square Church in New York City, has gone to be with the Lord after a head on collision in Texas on Wednesday afternoon.

According to reports, Wilkerson was driving with his wife on US 175 in Texas, when his car suddenly veered into the oncoming lane where it was met with a tractor trailer.

Wilkerson's wife is reportedly still in the hospital, as is the driver of the truck. It is not yet known what caused Wilkerson's car to stray into the wrong lane.

Wilkerson authored the best-selling book The Cross and the Switchblade, which impacts many still today, and which was made into a movie starring Pat Boone.

He founded Teen Challenge in 1958, as an Evangelical outreach to bring troubled youth?especially those with drug addictions?to a place of healing and salvation.

An official statement on the Time Square Church website reads:

It is with deepest of sadness that we have to inform you of the sudden passing of Reverend David Wilkerson, our founding pastor.

As the details of the family's wishes are made known we will relay them to you on this website.

There will be a memorial service at Times Square Church at a date yet to be determined. It will be streamed live to give an opportunity for all to participate.

Pastor David Wilkerson's was a life fully given for the glory of God and souls of men. He was greatly loved and he will be greatly missed.

Our prayers are with the family and we as a church body are committed to standing with them at this time of sorrow.

Watch a CBN video interview with friend of Wilkerson, Chaplain Joel Palser, regarding his life and the impact made for the Lord, at the source link provided.