Patriot Post publisher Mark Alexander says the word “hero” has been abused in our culture and has lost its meaning. There are many so-called “heroes” who fall far below the standard we both share.

Alexander and I serve on the board of the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center here in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the birthplace of the Medal of Honor. I’ve met a number of extraordinary men who received the Medal but don’t view themselves as heroes. Yet in Alexander’s eyes and in mine, they are deserving of the term. Their humility testifies to that truth.

Not all of my heroes are veterans, though. I have one hero whom I only knew casually, but whose life and influence on me were powerful. His name was David Wilkerson, a pastor from a small town in Pennsylvania who I believe changed our world.

In 1958, Wilkerson left Pennsylvania to move to Brooklyn, New York, where he ministered to addicts, violent gang members, prostitutes, and outcasts by sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with them.

As a result, Teen Challenge was birthed, a ministry in which my wife Shirley and I had the honor of serving for 40 years. We still go to Teen Challenge centers whenever we can. The ministry has grown to over 200 centers around the nation, and there are over 1,400 of them around the world that are part of Global Teen Challenge. Moreover, there are thousands of other programs for those with life-controlling addictions that pattern themselves after Wilkerson’s ministry.

Only eternity will reveal how many lives were snatched from the bondage of addiction through the programs that follow Wilkerson’s strategy. Freedom from all bondage through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ allows people to remain free by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Wilkerson was humble yet bold at the same time. In 1982, on the streets of Manhattan, I stood in awe as Wilkerson spoke to hardcore drug addicts. I saw many fall to their knees and accept Christ. They could sense his love and compassion as he straight-talked to them about their addictions.

Wilkerson knew, and I learned early on in my Teen Challenge years, that addiction was not the problem but a symptom. The real issue was a wounded heart that needed healing, like mine did. But those bound by addiction oftentimes turn to drugs, sex, and pornography — anything to ease the pain of their wounded hearts.

When an addicted person finally hits what Wilkerson called “rock bottom,” oftentimes the journey to freedom begins. That’s the key, really; you have to be sick and tired of being sick and tired and, like the Prodigal Son, “come to your senses” (Luke 15:11-24). You must realize that, apart from Christ, all the world has to offer is pig food. When you get sick of the world’s pig food, you start the journey home.

After starting Teen Challenge, David Wilkerson went on to become an evangelist, traveling all over the world. His crusades filled stadiums. His conferences brought thousands of pastors and leaders together and challenged them to hold fast to the whole gospel without compromise.

Tragically, Wilkerson was killed in an accident with a semitruck in Texas on April 27, 2011. I remember the date because my community was rocked by a series of deadly tornadoes that same day. Wilkerson was not a perfect man, as he would readily admit; there was only One who was perfect. But he was a man of godly character, humbleness, and integrity who impacted our world as few have in the past century.

I pray I can have that kind of impact on the world around me for the cause of Christ.

Something to pray about!
Semper Fidelis