This was a Christian classic; a book to be found in any church library and one I owned and read as a teenager.
I was both shocked and feeling old when I was drawn to this 60th anniversary edition of the Teen Challenge. However, I am happy to report that there is nothing wrong with my comprehension or quickening spirit as I read of the special work David Wilkerson was called to so many years ago. A man of prayer, used to feeling God's direction his initial response to leave his country parish and forge a new work in New York ended in dismay and despondency. He had to share his vision and trust God to use his feeble human responses to give him an in with the Gangs of New York.
Yet This is closer to a later film - West Side Story - Sharks and Jets you can read of the Maus Maus and the Bishops; defined by immigration and poverty, the neighbourhoods they 'lived' in.
What is heartening to read even if the language has changed is that the power of the cross and the work of the Holy Spirit is clearly effective, and that God was in at the very start of this ministry. It has mushroomed and become a global mission addressing gang culture wherever it is significant and traps young people in crime, drug addiction, prostitution and violence. Switchblade is now referred to as just knife and into the violent mix guns are more freely available and used.
The dangers however faced by this faithful disciple of Christ were real; he goes into areas of New York the police were often scared to venture without backup. Their work was achieved through prayer, a shared vision across denominations and the response of God to the young people who put their trust in God's promises of New Life and Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
The work goes on as this special addition brings into focus. With updates on the Wilkinson family and the characters the original book introduced. Plus, the remarkable global response needed in this missionary work into a new century. Drug addiction continues to be a real concern and the problems of late 50's New York have still not been addressed by society other than spending vast amounts of money an imprisonment in the US penitentiary system.
This book will rekindle your faith.
Show that God is still at work around these issues.
That some books capture the hearts and minds of others, the is certainly one everyone should read.
John Sherrill and Elizabeth Sherrill should also get a mention for how they contributed to bring a life of faith into production in a readable form. This book reminds us they also worked to bring us the story of Brother Andrew, God's Smuggler and Corrie Ten Boom.
If you have never read this incredible story hunt out a copy; if you have how ever long ago, seek out this anniversary edition and rejoice with me that some of God's plans remain active and just need the labourers to bring in the harvest.

I would loved to have reviewed this book, but even though my request was granted for the book, I could never get it to download.
I did read the original story many years ago, and it impacted my life. I’ll recommend it on that basis.

I first read this book when I was 13. It was quite powerful then and I am happy to see that it still is, to me at least.
How a young preacher could accomplish so much based entirely on faith is really amazing. If you are looking for a reaffirmation of faith in God or just want to know how a single person started a Huge ministry that has helped so many youth in this country, this is a book worth reading.

This is a very inspiration true story of how, in the ;ate 1950s, American preacher David Wilkerson heard the voice of God and was faithful in doing what God wanted him to do. This came at quite a cost as it was driving almost 300 miles each way to New York from his small town Philipsburg in Pennsylvania. and then getting involved with troubled teenagers in New York street gangs. It led to David Wilkerson setting up the Teen Challenge charity which has saved thousands of teenagers from getting into serious trouble and/or prison. It's an amazing book with tale after tale of prayers being answered in amazing ways.

The original book was published in the 1960s but this edition has an update from 2008 from David Wilkerson about a lot of the characters in the book and how they are doing 50 years after he first met them. There is also an update about David Wilkerson's family who had many tough challenges to face over that time.

With thanks to NetGalley and Chosen for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.