Rev. David Wilkerson killed in Texas car crash

This undated photo from World Challenge Inc. shows founder Rev. David Wilkerson, who died in a car accident on April 27. 2011. / World Challenge Inc.

TYLER, Texas - Rev. David Wilkerson, founding pastor of Times Square Church in New York City and author of the best-selling book, "The Cross and the Switchblade," has died. He was 79.

Texas Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Tela Mange says Wilkerson died Wednesday in a car accident in East Texas. Mange says Wilkerson's car smashed head-on into a tractor-trailer rig after veering into another lane.

Wilkerson's World Challenge Inc. ministries confirmed on its website that he "went to be with Jesus."

Wilkerson founded the non-denominational Protestant church in 1987 in an area of Manhattan that was then riddled with X-rated movie houses, strip clubs, prostitution and drugs.

Wilkerson also founded Teen Challenge, which uses a biblically-based recovery program for drug addicts.

His wife, Gwendolyn, was injured in the car accident.

[mamadee16]

Its really sad how so many people sitting in judgement of someone they don't know personally. This man was someone husband, father,son, brother, grandfatherand PASTOR and for someone to WRITE something so negative is really sad. It shows how evil this world has become. YES! we all will leave this world, just don't know how, just a matter whom will get there first.......so when you write or say something that may hurt someone else pride of feelings thing of your own family and how they may feel if something bad every happens to you or someone you truly care for.......We as people must learn to think before we write or speak of someone in a negative matter.

rest in peace sir and may jehovah, allah, god or what every your faith is your finally at rest. GOD BLESS

MAMADEE16:

[kabebodama]

All I can say is, hopefully I do not live near or work with ANY of the ignorant or hopeless people who wrote negative replies about the passing of Rev. Wilkerson. Yes, I am making sight unseen judgments about the writers of the negative comments, but whether you believe Rev. Wilkerson was a true disciple of God or not, to be judged by people who don't even know you, after your death is so unwarranted and truly shameful. It really is a sad day when people have nothing better to do with their time then to post awful things. I suppose asking the question - "Would you like someone to do this to one of your family members?' is meaningless. It is just one more reflection of our society on how most of really don't care about each other....

[rosscreuswell]

It's interesting that this version leaves out one little detail that the Los Angeles Times obit did not. Wilkerson was not wearing his seat belt. It's also interesting that Wilkerson's blog posts in the days leading up to this tragedy were increasingly centered on themes of despair, hopelessness and death. Add to this fact, the fact that the driver of the oncoming truck had plenty of time to see Wilkerson coming, and to try to steer out of the way, but Wilkerson's car still hit him head on. Count me among the people of Northeast Texas who are wondering why this is not being reported as a suicide.

[KHYYAMM]

Very well said Hosheen. People are unaware about what the real goal is here on earth. That is, to become aware of the power that exists. The one that created this existance and use it to create our own destiny. Instead of being destroyed by the mass mind that exists.

[Hosheen]

Why didn't his god protect him and guide his driving? Oh, "God was calling him home"?

Total, unadulterated BS, but then, so is all religion. Too bad he was killed, but maybe he should have stayed awake while driving?

[Well_You_Aint_Me]

Hosheen, why are you so bitter to people that wish to serve God?

If they choose to do so, isn't that their right, at least here in America.

You choose to not serve God, that is your right also. But why so bitter?

Did you pray once and ask God to give you a bike for Christmas and you didn't get it?

Did you pray that your mommy and daddy wouldn't get divorced but it happened anyway?

I agree there is a whole lot of trouble caused by religion and the differences in religion, but why the bitterness, especially toward Christians?

[grandmaof7kids]

God blessed this man and used him in a big way. So sorry for those of you responding with negative comments. Mark my words, when you pass from this life, when you die, there is a place called hell waiting. And in the end times, you will bow before our God but He will say, "depart from me, I don't know you". Today is the day of salvation -- don't delay.

[Hosheen]

Mark my words. There is not god and this man used everything he could to promote a sick religion based upon lies.

Luckily for you, there is no hell as well as no heaven. Anyone that says they know differently is a fool or a liar.

You have wasted your life on the biggest scam ever worked upon human beings 0 religion.

The only salvation possible is freedom from the black yoke of religion. The freedom is won by the clear light of truth and rational thinking to break the chains of the brainwashing you received as a child.

[graceface1970]

I read "The Cross And The Switchblade" several times when I was young and was so inspired by Reverend Wilkerson! He always went into places that other people wouldn't. This is a sad loss for those of us here on earth, but he is now with his Savior, who he taught many of us about, and that is wonderful! Thank you for what you did in your time here - see ya when i get there!
grace and peace <3

[Christina_3]

Here is a man who dedicated his life, his entire life to trying to better other lives that were being destroyed by addictions. I was not a Wilkerson 'fan' but I know the kind of work he did. He gave his all to it. There is no good reason that his memory & character should be tarnished by the petty insults of people who have different or no 'religious' views.

[riley6106]

This story got a bunch of facts wrong. First of all, he was president of The Fellowship of the Sun. Second, it wasn't an accident - he really was murdered by vampires. God hates fangs.

[ladyang]

If he was a tea-bagger, good riddance to bad rubbish. He was not, well how sad.

[Unsilent_Majority]

Any chance you'll be killed today in a car accident? One can hope.

[graceface1970]

Why in the world would you think anything about Rev Wilkerson's POLITICS? He went into inner cities when Dems & GOPers just talked about caring for the poor. This is a life well-lived and i hope people will look into that instead of wishing death to people of certain political parties. (Why is no one offended by that phrase? Tea Party is one thing, the other is a sex act. I am not even a Republican and find it hugely offensive)