- published: 23 Dec 2013
- views: 489811
Nicky Cruz (born December 6, 1938) is a Christian evangelist, the founder of Nicky Cruz Outreach, an evangelistic Christian ministry. He was also once the director of Teen Challenge, serving under David Wilkerson before founding another ministry home himself in California. Prior to his conversion he was the leader of a New York City gang, The Mau-Maus.
Cruz was born in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico where he was raised by his parents. His parents practiced brujeria and were followers of spiritism ("espiritismo"). They mentally abused him; his own mother would call him "Son of Satan". The neighborhood in which he lived was one of the worst in Puerto Rico and Cruz was always getting into trouble. According to his book Run Baby Run, his parents sent him to live with his brother in New York City when he was 15, and Cruz soon ran away and started living on the streets of the city. He became a member of the Mau-Mau street gang, and about six months later Cruz was selected Warlord of the gang. He quickly rose to be their leader.
Actors: Erik Estrada (actor), Pat Boone (actor), Don Murray (director), Jacqueline Giroux (actress), Harry Reems (actor), Don Murray (writer), Dick Ross (producer), Jonelle Allen (actress), Don Blakely (actor), Renata Stoia (miscellaneous crew), Ralph Carmichael (composer), Alex Colon (actor), Angelo Ross (editor), Héctor Mercado (actor), Don Lamond (actor),
Genres: Biography, Crime, Drama,