Ministry Shows Jesus Still Heals Addicts
Although David Wilkerson passed away in April 2011, his influence continues to resonate from a stately neo-Federal style home at 416 Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn’s historic Clinton Hill neighborhood. Originally built in 1919 by architect R.I. Markwith for Clara Van Vleck, the residence once stood among the grand homes of Brooklyn’s elite.
In December 1960, Wilkerson—who would go on to found Times Square Church and write the influential book The Cross and the Switchblade—acquired the property. He transformed it into the first center for what would become Teen Challenge, a faith-based recovery program aimed at helping individuals overcome addiction.
Wilkerson’s journey to New York City began in 1958, sparked by a Life magazine photo of seven teenage gang members on trial for the murder of a disabled youth named Michael Farmer. Moved by the image, the then-small-town preacher from Pennsylvania came to the city in hopes of ministering to the youths. Although his request to speak to them was denied by the judge and he was removed from the courtroom, the moment garnered media attention and earned him the nickname “the Bible preacher who interrupted the gang trial.”
Undeterred by the public setback, Wilkerson returned and began a ministry with his brother Don, focusing on gang members and young people struggling with addiction. That outreach grew into Teen Challenge, which now operates over 1,400 centers globally, offering more than 35,000 beds to those seeking freedom from addiction through Christian faith.
Today, the original Brooklyn location remains active as Brooklyn Adult & Teen Challenge. The ministry, still grounded in Wilkerson’s vision, continues to provide support and recovery services—now led by someone who once went through the program themselves.