By Jill Colvin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN — Staff at the Times Square Church are mourning after the sudden death of its founding pastor Wednesday.
Rev. David Wilkerson, who also wrote the book, "The Cross and the Switchblade," died in a car crash Wednesday in Texas, the Associated Press reported. He was 79.
"Thank you for all your prayers and the outpouring of love you have shown for the Wilkerson family," the church said in a statement. "We are comforted by knowing that Pastor David has been enjoying the full presence of the Lord for more than a day now."
The family is planning a private funeral in Texas. An official memorial service is being planned "within the next two weeks," and will be streamed live on the church’s website.
Wilkerson founded the church in 1987, back when Times Square was riddled with crime.
