Thieves Welcome

The first "Christian" book I ever read was required reading in my public school, way back in 1969. The book was The Cross and the Switchblade, by David Wilkerson. I mention it now because I just read that Wilkerson died recently in a crash in Texas. Nancy French pays loving tribute to the man in Remembering David Wilkerson. Wilderson was the long time pastor of Times Square Church, which French attended for a while. She writes:

The first time we were there, [Wilkerson] said, “Ladies, when we stand to sing, please don’t leave your pocketbooks on the ground. Some thieves are here in the sanctuary, so keep an eye out on your belongings. And for those of you who came here expressly to steal,” he said, “we welcome you. You came here thinking you’d leave with a few bucks, but you’ll leave knowing the life-changing love of God. Stay as long as you’d like.”