Nicky Cruz - One Holy Fire: Let the Spirit Ignite Your Soul

Praise for
One Holy Fire

One Holy Fire will challenge you to cast off restraint and walk fully in the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Its an awesome testimony to Gods ability to change liveseven in the worst circumstancesif we will only trust him to use us, as Nicky has. What a great vision and calling this book presents to all of us!

B ILL M C C ARTNEY , founder and president of Promise Keepers

Hundreds of people giving their lives to Christ in a single evening. Teenagers willingly devoting their time to feeding the homeless and sharing the gospel. Drug users miraculously freed from their addictions. Children born with physical deformities, now walking and leaping with joy. These are just a few of the miracles Nicky Cruz shares in One Holy Fire, a book that will open your eyes to the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. Youll find your heart burning to experience the power of Gods Spirit in your own life as you read how God is transforming those who have asked him to release his all-consuming passion in their lives.

P AT R OBERTSON , chairman and CEO of the Christian
Broadcasting Network and host of The 700 Club

Someone has said that the two main purposes of the Christian life are to know Christ and to make him known. As you read One Holy Fire, you cannot help but feel these two great desires begin to burn in your heart. The hunger to know a holy God and to let his love, unconditional and pure, flow through you to others begins to stir deeply within. This is more than a book; it is a word to all of us.

D R. R ICHARD A. H EARD , senior pastor of Christian
Tabernacle in Houston, Texas

Nicky Cruz writes from the experience of life, and that makes this book so vital and relevant. As he shares his dreams and his heart, he points to the way the dreams have already become reality for himand can for us too. This book is well written, engaging, and very challenging. Please dont read it if youre comfortable and want to stay as you are.

D R. C LIVE C ALVER , president of World Relief

Nickys life, as so candidly shared in One Holy Fire, inspires me to look beyond the facades of Christianity and seek intimacy with Christ. His example challenges me to live my life with the guiding question, Does what I am about to do or say give God glory? This book is a wonderful catalyst into deeper places of Gods heart.

D ENNIS J ERNIGAN , worship leader and songwriter

I esteem Nicky Cruz as one of our generations greatest evangelists. In his first book Run Baby Run, he ignited a passion for the lost, but in One Holy Fire he fans it into consuming flames. Nickys experiences with the lost will give you both the desire and courage to share Jesus in your everyday life. You will not be the same after encountering his heart.

J OHN B EVERE , author and speaker

One Holy Fire is a must-read. Nicky Cruz is like no other, and what he has to say in this book will change every reader.

R EGGIE W HITE , former NFL superstar

I agree with Nicky that the one holy fire of God will fill the coming generation of believers. Our youth are already taking a remarkable stand for God, and with teachers like Nicky paving the way, they are going to have an extraordinary impact during this century.

T ED H AGGARD , senior pastor of New Life Church
in Colorado Springs, Colorado

To the many faithful partners of our ministry:
You are always there for me when I need prayer and covering,
with unwavering trust in me and in my mission.
I wish I could mention you all by name.

To my wonderful children,
Alicia, Laura, Nicole, and Elena.
To my precious grandchildren,
Nikolas, Isabella, Asher, and Mia.
And finally, to Gloria,
once again and always, from my heart to yours.

Contents

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21

Foreword

Nicky Cruz is my friend. While he has blessed the Brooklyn Tabernaclethe church I pastormany times through his ministry, Nicky has also inspired and enriched my own spiritual life.

I first met Nicky years ago at an evangelistic outreach we were sponsoring in downtown Brooklyn, not far from his old turf as a leader of the Mau Mau street gang. I knew about Nickys dramatic conversion and how the Lord was using him around the world to reach countless thousands with the gospel of Jesus Christ. That night we witnessed the power of Gods love as people of every color and background gave their lives to the Lord. We saw Nicky Cruz at his besta true evangelist using his God-given ministry gift for Christ and his kingdom. That night also marked the start of a friendship Ive grown to treasure deeply.

Nicky Cruz is a reminder that there is no limit to what the Holy Spirit can do. God has transformed Nicky from a fierce, hate-filled, violent person into a trophy of grace, someone whose example encourages every Christian to believe God for the impossible.

Nicky writes powerfully in One Holy Fire about the anointing and power of the Spirit because this has been the secret of his own dynamic ministry for Christ. Years ago when Nicky was making one of his regular visits to our church, a scene occurred that I will never forget. The auditorium was packed and overflowing with people. Suddenly an awesome sense of Gods presence came as Nicky concluded his gospel message. As he spoke, a terrible scream arose from a young lady standing in the rear of the hall. Help me Jesus, she cried as she staggered forward to the front of the church. I cant take it anymore. Help me Jesus! It was as though a bolt of spiritual lightning struck the audience. Nicky had not concluded his invitation to receive Christ, but soon people everywhere were walking forward under conviction of sin, drawn by Gods amazing love for them no matter how they were living. It was a powerful demonstration of a Spirit-anointed messenger of God fulfilling his ministry for Jesus.

Nicky Cruz is absolutely on target as he writes of the critical moment of time we live in and the fantastic potential for Spirit-filled, Spirit-led believers to extend Gods kingdom around the world. What does it matter what Satan is doing if the people of God are moving in the power of Gods Spirit? If a former gang leader from Brooklyn can turn countless people to Christ around the world, what is holding us back from making a big difference for Jesus?

One Holy Fire can change your life and set you ablaze for God.

P ASTOR J IM C YMBALA
T HE B ROOKLYN T ABERNACLE

One Holy Fire

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you foreverthe Spirit of truth You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

JOHN 14:1214,1617

INTRODUCTION