A Very Sad Day

Very sad news for the Body of Christ today, one of God's most faithful generals has gone Home. :(

I grew up spiritually with Brother Wilkerson's ministry, attended his leadership school in NYC, and considered him a spiritual father - needless to say I was both shocked and very saddened when I received this news, it really has hit me pretty hard - even as I type these words I still can hardly believe this has happened. Right now I am simply asking the Lord "why". Why was his life taken when we have so few left in the church who are still wholeheartedly serving the Lord by remaining true to His Word? Why was his life taken when he has done so much good for the Body and when there is still so much more that needs to be done - especially now when the church has drifted into apostasy and deception seemingly at every turn? In the natural, I just can't make any sense of this at all right now.

In any event, my only comfort over this news at the moment is to know that he is in a much better place with the Lord he served so faithfully and loved so much. To know that the many things he has suffered in this life are finally over for him, that's the only thing I can find comfort in right now. I thank God for my dear brother's life, for the many of us he so deeply touched and blessed. He will surely be greatly missed.

Please pray for his wife Gwen, who's in critical condition, and for the rest of his family as well. The church has asked that people looking to find out details of the services keep an eye on the Times Square Church website and not to call as the family will release details shortly. The funeral is expected to be streamed live online as the ministry of the World Challenge Ministries is known globally.

TEEN CHALLENGE FOUNDER, DAVID WILKERSON, KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT

Rev. David Wilkerson, founding pastor of Times Square Church in New York City and author of the well-known book The Cross and the Switchblade, was killed Wednesday in a head-on collision in Texas. He was 79.

"It is with deepest of sadness that we have to inform you of the sudden passing of Reverend David Wilkerson, our founding pastor," Times Square Church Senior Pastor Carter Conlon said in a statement on the church website.

Conlon added that details of the family's wishes and a memorial service would be provided as information became available.

Crash Details

Wilkerson was driving east on U.S. 175 in Texas Wednesday afternoon, and moved into the opposite lane where a tractor trailer was driving westbound. The truck driver saw the car and tried to move out of the way, but still collided with the pastor's car head on, according to Public Safety Trooper Eric Long.

It's unclear what caused Wilkerson to veer into the other lane. His wife Gwen was also involved in the crash and rushed to the hospital, along with the truck driver.

Wilkerson was pronounced dead on the scene.


Below is the last devotional he wrote, ironically it was dated the day the Lord took him Home...

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2011

WHEN ALL MEANS FAIL

To believe when all means fail is exceedingly pleasing to God and is most acceptable. Jesus said to Thomas, “You have believed because you have seen, but blessed are those that do believe and have not seen” (John 20:29).

Blessed are those who believe when there is no evidence of an answer to prayer—who trust beyond hope when all means have failed.

Someone has come to the place of hopelessness—the end of hope—the end of all means. A loved one is facing death and doctors give no hope. Death seems inevitable. Hope is gone. The miracle prayed for is not happening.

That is when Satan’s hordes come to attack your mind with fear, anger, overwhelming questions: “Where is your God now? You prayed until you had no tears left. You fasted. You stood on promises. You trusted.”

Blasphemous thoughts will be injected into your mind: “Prayer failed. Faith failed. Don’t quit on God—just do not trust him anymore. It doesn’t pay!”

Even questioning God’s existence will be injected into your mind. These have been the devices of Satan for centuries. Some of the godliest men and women who ever lived were under such demonic attacks.

To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights—and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, “I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me embrace you in your hour of pain.”

Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail—his love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word. There is no other hope in this world.