Nicky Cruz was a violent gang leader in New York City during the 1950s. His life was filled with crime, hatred, and fear. Many called him “The Most Dangerous Gangster” in the city. He believed:
“No one loves me. I am too far gone.”
Then God sent a young preacher to the streets: David Wilkerson.
David looked Nicky in the eyes and said:
“Nicky, God loves you, and you can’t stop Him from loving you.”
Nicky became furious.
He slapped David and threatened to kill him.
But David calmly responded:
“Even if you cut me into a thousand pieces,
each piece will still say,
Jesus loves you.”
Those words — pure grace — broke through years of pain.
Nicky later said:
“I tried to run away from His love.
But His love was stronger than my hate.”
Days later, at a street meeting,
Nicky fell to his knees and wept like a child.
He confessed:
“Jesus, I cannot change myself.
But if You want me…
take me as I am.”
No one told him:
- “Fix your life first”
- “Stop sinning”
- “Earn your forgiveness”
Grace reached him first —
and repentance came as a result.
That day, God completely changed his heart.
Nicky became:
- A preacher of the Gospel
- A missionary to the same streets he once ruled
- A witness of God’s grace to millions worldwide