David Wilkerson’s initial vision for the gangs in Brooklyn, his good name, and his character have all blessed Teen Challenge. All organizations in society and the church are judged by their history and foundation; David Wilkerson was a leader who carried the distinction as the founder and first director of Teen Challenge. I commend David for being a man who kept the course and traveled the road of life with faithfulness that equals or exceeds that of any person I have ever known.

My first encounter with Brother Dave came in the early 1970s while attending a David Wilkerson Crusade in Sacramento, California. Up to that time I had never heard of David Wilkerson. We learned that a preacher working with the gangs in Brooklyn, New York, was preaching at the Armory. It sounded interesting, and so we decided to go check it out.

His message, charged with passion, was a challenge to the youth of the city, gangs, and drug abusers who were caught in the grip of addiction. When he finished speaking he invited those who had drugs with them to bring the drugs to the front of the auditorium and surrender their drugs and their lives to Jesus Christ. As David was speaking I found myself wondering, “Who would do that, just walk up there and drop their dope on the floor?”

When Brother Dave invited people to come forward and lay their drugs and paraphernalia on the altar, I couldn’t believe the number of people who did exactly what he requested.

Later, when I was pastoring a church in Albany, Oregon, people came in for counseling that needed more help. And from that need — the same need that Brother Dave saw in New York City — came the birth of Teen Challenge in the Pacific Northwest.

Thirty-five years later, when planning the 50th Anniversary Celebration, we talked with Brother Dave. In the meeting, Brother Dave’s character was obvious. First, he wanted to know our motive; why did we want to have such a celebration. We told him we felt the need to preserve the history, to celebrate all that God had done through Teen Challenge. It was very important to him that our motive was not about honoring man. Pastor David committed that day to help us and he came through with everything he promised to make the celebration a success.

I will be forever grateful to Pastor David Wilkerson, for his vision, integrity, honest words of wisdom and foresight.

Mike Hodges is a former President of Teen Challenge, USA, and state director.