The Cross and the Switchblade

David Wilkerson

Oct 2008 · Blackstone Audio Inc. · Narrated by Raymond Todd

About this audiobook

Gangfighters, drug addicts, teenage runaways, and prostitutes—the toughest and most hopeless kids that New York's ghettos had to offer. That is, until a country preacher from the Pennsylvania hills arrived on their turf and began preaching a streetcorner message of renewal, miracles, and God's love.

David Wilkerson, a man on a mission, stepped onto some of the world's most dangerous streets armed only with the simple message of God's love and the promise of the Holy Spirit's power. And that's when the miracles began to happen.

Led by incredible faith, Wilkerson left his country pulpit in 1958 for the streets of New York City, where a murder trial of seven teenaged boys churned society's antipathy toward them. Even Wilkerson was bewildered by his sense of compassion, but in spite of doubt, he followed the Spirit's prompting to help the boys. This is the amazing story of his journey, and the ability of God to accomplish the impossible. One of the most inspiring and challenging true stories of all time, it has sold millions of copies throughout the world and has been made into a feature film.

Ratings and reviews

I read "Run Baby Run " I was 13 years old when I read it and it was a great read, And I'm not a big book reader but this was ten out of ten read it again

I read over 45 years ago. you can feel God's love in it.

very good book. i liked it

About the author

David Wilkerson (1931–2011) was an Assembly of God pastor who established Teen Challenge, an organization centered around the needs of converts of his successful street evangelism ministry in New York City. As part of Teen Challenge, he also established the Bible Institute, which evolved into the international organization known as World Challenge. David also cofounded Times Square church in New York City. Of his many books, perhaps the most influential has been The Cross and the Switchblade, which sparked interest about baptism in the Holy Spirit from both Protestant and Catholic circles.

John and Elizabeth Sherrill have authored or coauthored numerous bestsellers with sales in excess of fifty million, including The Hiding Place, The Cross and the Switchblade, and God’s Smuggler. Their ongoing work as roving editors for Guideposts magazine has taken them from their home in Westchester County, New York, to assignments in five countries.

Raymond Todd is an actor and director in the theater as well as a poet and documentary filmmaker. He plays jazz trombone for the Leatherstocking quartet, an ensemble that gets its name from one of his favorite Blackstone narrations, The Deerslayer. Todd lives in New York.