Called Home
by Martin Knapp
A few years ago I was listening to a sermon on my laptop. It was a powerful message, holding nothing back, and yet I sensed great humility in the speaker. Not having listened to this man speak before, I asked a trusted friend if my sense about this man was correct and he agreed. The name of the man was David Wilkerson, who sadly went to be with the Lord on 27 April following a car accident in Texas. I was deeply touched by the obedience, courage and perseverance of David, as, I suspect, were many of the 15 million or more who read his book, `The Cross and the Switchblade`.
David went on to found many Christian ministries including `Teen Challenge`, `World Challenge`, `Please Pass the Bread` and Times Square Church in New York. You can read more about his life and work on the various websites. Gary Wilkerson, David`s son, says in his tribute to his father, "I know that if my father were able to encourage you with his words today, he would invite you to give your all to Jesus, to love God deeply and to give yourself away to the needs of others"
As the scripture at the top reminds us, David died and his body was buried and decayed. But death could not hold Jesus, the Holy One, and God raised him from the dead that we also might enter into all that Jesus` death obtained for us, if we choose to receive Him and be obedient to His calling; neither can death hold all those who are alive in Christ before they physically die. For David Wilkerson there has been a joyful reunion with his Saviour - something we can all look forward to when we know the One who bridged, for us, the chasm of death.
Martin Knapp Martin and Ginny have been married for 37 years and are blessed with 3 children and 2 grandchildren. They first met Ellel Ministries in 1990 and in April 2010, after a number of years at Ellel Pierrepont, Martin became the centre director of Ellel Grange - the UK home of the 9-week Flagship programme, Modular Schools and the 9-day `Heart to Heart` fast-track programme, held in September, to encourage and equip Pastors and Leaders in the healing ministry.
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