The Teen Challenge ministry was born out of those humble early days of ministry. It now includes over 500 drug and alcohol rehab centers around the world, even in Muslim countries. These include homes for girls and women addicts and alcoholics, all which are reaching many.

Wilkerson's messages were often exhortations of faith and hope in the midst of troubles and his last blog post included the following:


Bibliography
The Cross and the Switchblade (with John and Elizabeth Sherrill). He founded and became the pastor of Times Square Church which opened its doors in October 1987. He later wrote that as he felt the Holy Spirit move him with compassion he was drawn to go to New York in February 1958.

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Wilkerson was killed in a car crash in Texas on April 27 2011. He emphasized such Christian beliefs as God's holiness and righteousness God's love toward humans and especially Christian views of Jesus.