Chapters 11, 12 and 13 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 11 - Here the author begins contemplating whether he should move his family to New York City to take up the challenge of working with the street gangs full time and takes one more trip into the city to seek inspiration. When he arrives, he encounters Nicky, who reveals his desire to become a preacher. Astounded and excited, the author invites him to speak at a suburban church which had expressed an interest in learning more about the gang situation. Nicky agrees and tells his story of abandonment, violence, confrontation, and anger, describing how the author told him (in Chapter 7) that he was loved, and how the author (in Chapter 10) trusted him and how, as a result of being treated this way, he accepted God and Jesus into his heart. The author describes how the suburban audience listened intently...