David Wilkerson

The president of an evangelical Christian recovery ministry called “Teen Challenge USA” is hoping that people both inside and outside the church will give recognition to the life-changing program during a national day designated to honor the organization this coming Sunday.

The ministry, which is closely connected to the Assemblies of God denomination, states that its mission is “to provide youth, adults and families with an effective and comprehensive Christian faith-based solution to life-controlling drug and alcohol problems in order to become productive members of society.”

Teen Challenge USA began 53 years ago as a ministry led by the late Rev. David Wilkerson, the founding pastor of Times Square Church in Manhattan, N.Y. Wilkerson died, at the age of 79, in a severe car crash in April. more >>

In an emotionally charged and deeply personal interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Ruth Madoff admitted that on Christmas Eve 2008, she and her husband, Bernie, tried to end it all.

“I said, ‘I just can’t go on anymore,’” Mrs. Madoff told CBS News. The Madoffs ingested a bunch of pills in their New York City penthouse, but awoke the next morning still alive, and relieved.

Although the Madoffs’ difficulties were largely of their own making (the suicide attempt occurred just weeks after Mr. Madoff admitted to a Ponzi scheme that cost investors an estimated $20 billion), does the Christian faith have any hope to offer in situations like these? more >>

Following recent suicide revelations by Ruth Madoff, a leading Evangelical pastor has said that while Christians must feel compassion for Bernie Madoff and his wife, their plight also shows the consequences of greed.

Bernie Madoff perpetrated the biggest Ponzi scheme in history, and his wife recently admitted that she and her husband attempted suicide. In an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes” to be aired Oct. 30, Ruth Madoff says she and her husband tried to commit suicide on Christmas Eve 2008, just weeks after Bernie Madoff admitted to financial crimes that robbed investors of an estimated $20 billion.

"I don't know whose idea it was, but we decided to kill ourselves because it was so horrendous what was happening," Mrs. Madoff told CBS. "We had terrible phone calls. Hate mail, just beyond anything and I said '...I just can't go on anymore.'" more >>

NEW YORK - Thousands belonging to the immediate and spiritual family of David Wilkerson celebrated his life, legacy, and love for Christ at a memorial service Saturday at Times Square Church in New York City.

Speakers, including leadership of the church Wilkerson had founded and his relatives, honored the evangelical pastor for a life "well-lived" through personal testimonies and songs rejoicing that he is now in heaven.

"It was all about Jesus Christ," Carter Conlon, senior pastor of Times Square Church, said of Wilkerson's life. more >>

NEW YORK – Thousands in Manhattan and up to a million via webcast are expected to participate in a memorial service today honoring the Rev. David Wilkerson, the founding pastor of Times Square Church and founder of addiction recovery program Teen Challenge.

The memorial service is going "to celebrate his life and reflect upon his legacy of faith and trust in God. [It's] a cause to rejoice in the victory of Christ through the life of a man who finished the race well," Luly McCoy, director of communications at Times Square Church, told The Christian Post.

"We like to think of Pastor Dave as singing and dancing around the throne of God and we will share in his joy and rejoice with him," she said. more >>

Times Square Church and Teen Challenge founder the Rev. David Wilkerson was laid to rest at a private funeral on Monday.

Wilkerson, who also founded World Challenge Ministries, was driving with his wife in Tyler, Texas, last Wednesday when his car collided with a truck.

He died at the scene, while his wife was rushed to hospital where she remains under observation. He was 79. more >>