Nicky Cruz

Nicky Cruz

Nicky Cruz was born on December 6th, 1938 and is currently 87 years old. Nicky Cruz was born in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico.

Nicky Cruz is a Christian evangelist from Puerto Rico who founded the evangelistic Christian ministry Nicky Cruz Outreach. He has also served as a director for the organization Teen Challenge before he founded his ministry.

Growing up in Puerto Rico, Nicky Cruz was the son of parents who practiced witchcraft, and he was abused from very early in his childhood. During a trance, his mother once called him the Son of Satan, and he led a childhood that was full of trauma and violence.

When he was 9 years old, he attempted suicide, and even though it failed, he emotionally shut down. When he was 15, he was sent to live with his brother in New York City, but he ran off and went to live on the streets.

When he was 16, he joined a violent gang and, using brutality and intimidation, he soon became the gang’s overlord. But when Manny, his best friend, died in his arms after a brutal attack, his life spiralled even further.

Arrested too many times one psychiatrist said that he could not be helped and would end up damned, in prison and executed. However, things changed when he met a preacher who managed to convince him to change his life.

Nicky Cruz’s most popular work is Run Baby Run, in which he chronicles his journey from violent gang warlord to an evangelist for Christ.

Following a childhood of abuse and violence that led him toward a life of crime and gangbanging, he would become the leader of the Mau Maus gang in New York City. It would not take long before he was the leader of the gang and was living a life of substance abuse, violence, and despair.

The turning point was when he met David Wilkerson, the preacher who had a message of the love of Jesus Christ. While he initially responded with threats and intimidation, the preacher managed to penetrate his hardened exterior, and Cruz surrendered his life to Christ.

He has now committed his life to sharing his story of redemption and ministering to troubled youth.

In 1974, Nicky Cruz published the novel The Corruptors in which he looks into how evil has had a pervasive influence on modern society.

He examines how spiritual corruption leaks into various aspects of life by using his transformation from gang leader to an evangelist for Christ. Making use of personal reflections and anecdotes, he showcases the ways negative forces can take over one's actions and thoughts if one is not spiritually vigilant.

Another popular title by Nicky Cruz is The Magnificent Three, in which he gives a testimony of how the Christian Trinity transformed his life.

The work builds on Run Baby Run as he dives deep into his journey and emphasizes how getting a deeper understanding of God results in personal growth in the faith. The work offers insights into his evolving relationship with God and why the Trinity is so important to a Christian seeking to grow in faith.

Related Authors

Fans of Nicky Cruz also enjoy these authors:

1. Tess Gerritsen, author of the Rizzoli & Isles Series.
2. Max Lucado, author of the Max Lucado Inspirational/Faith Books.
3. Dean Koontz, author of the Odd Thomas Series.
4. Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher Series.
5. Patricia Cornwell, author of the Kay Scarpetta Series.

Nicky Cruz: F.A.Q