The Cross & The Switchblade

                                   Conversion of Gang Leader, Nicky Cruz
                                                                                          (Film Review by a teenager)

                                                         The Cross And The Switchblade


                                            "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God
                                                        to salvation for everyone who believes" Romans 1:16

This film is the true story of a Christian preacher who was determined to meet and witness (preach) to Nicky Cruz and the gangs in down town New York. God told David Wilkerson to go and preach to them. He had read about the troubled boys in the newspaper, when two of them had been sentenced to death.

The film depicts how God led David to speak to the "Mau Maus" as well as the "Bishops"- the two rival gangs featured in the film. Both gangs were made up of young teenage boys. In their search for identity, they took to drugs, immoralities, and street fighting which they called "Rumbles". Many have been greatly injured or even killed during some of these "rumbles". Their weapons? Base ball bats, switchblades, knives, clubs, zips, name it. If you docked from a rumble, woe betides you. You are being "chicken" and the whole gang could turn on you to teach you a lesson. Mingo, one of the "Mau Maus" lost his life in such a pathetic incident like this.

The "Mau Mau's" warlord, Nicky Cruz despised David Wilkerson and his message of love. He even threatened to kill David, yet the committed young Wilkerson wouldn't give up. He said to Nicky: "One day Nicky you will stop running and turn to God!". Nicky hated him the more for this piercing statement.

Well, that day came at a youth rally organised by David Wilkerson. The venue was to be a rumble ground for the Mau Maus and the Bishops. But, the Holy Spirit worked on some of the boys as David challenged them from the Bible.

A miracle took place just as David prayed aloud for it. Nicky Cruz was ready to give his life to Jesus. He was ready to stop running. The cross once again proved more powerful than the switchblade. Along with Nicky came many of the boys from both gangs. For once the Mau Maus and the Bishops could shake hands and love one another. This is the love of Jesus that David had preached to them fearlessly all along.

This is a very encouraging film. Just see how people like Nicky Cruz, leading a lonely, violent existence, could have their lives turned around by God. He is still alive today and still going strong for Jesus even in his old age. It encouraged me to continue preaching the Gospel. David Wilkerson's determination to go on preaching even in the face of danger, threats and violence was both moving and challenging.

If you can't get to see the film, make sure you read the book from which it was taken. It could change your life!!

More Information

If you need help with giving your life to Jesus as a gang member, click here to see how. Or, if you would like to contact someone who's been in a gang but has now given his/her life to Jesus and is in a firm relationship with God, email us. You'll discover that you can never be on your own when you become a member of the family of God. There are many like you whose lives have been transformed by the love and mercy of our God; just like Nicky Cruz!

To read more about David Wilkerson and Teen Challenge, click here

To read Nicky Cruz's life testimony, click here

If you would like to know how to begin a personal relationship with Jesus, click here

To download any of this article click here

The Cross And The Switchblade as well as Run Baby Run are the two books that told of Nicky's conversion. They can be obtained from Christian bookshops. The film can also be obtained.