Letter to the Editor | The Cross and the Switchblade revisited

Oct. 23—Recently, I had the opportunity to ride with local pastor Marvin Taylor of Outreach for Jesus in Hamlet to Somerset, Kentucky.

He had been invited as a guest speaker at a revival at Outreach for Jesus in Somerset, the "sister church" of the one in Hamlet. There were four of us making the trip by automobile. As soon as we arrived, we were shown incredible hospitality.

The pastor, Victor Catalino, led us to a nearby river inlet where a line of expensive looking houseboats sat docked. Guessing, I would say there were about sixty in a line that extended out of sight around a bend in the river. I felt as if I was on an episode of "Lifestyles of the Rich & the Famous." The owner of the house boat, Mr. B.J. Brown , owned a manufacturing plant nearby that built Gatormade Trailers.

During the so-called nickel tour of the facility, an employee said every Gatormade Trailer manufactured went out the shipping doors he was pointing to, meaning there was only one plant worldwide. I asked Mr. Brown where he got the idea for his product logo. He said owe day a Gatorade truck passed him on the highway. The Gatormade name was born. He said about one hundred trailers a day were made. His wife told me she had another business in Salisbury.

Saturday morning (Sept. 16, 2023) , the four of us were invited to a church members home for breakfast. Two large tables were set up to handle the large crowd. While there , Pastor Taylor asked me to come with him. He wanted to introduce me to someone.

"Nicky, he said, this is Robby. He attends Outreach for Jesus in Hamlet, N.C. This small, humble Puerto Rican man smiled, and shook my hand. Pastor Taylor said "This is Nicky Cruz, a long time ago he was president of a dangerous New York gang called the Mau Maus. According to Nicky's books (with a comment from Billy Graham) he grew up on the streets of New York city, knowing only violence. He and his wife were as nice a couple as you would want to meet. Nicky has a world wide ministry and is currently living in Colorado.

The book and movie "The Sword and the Switchblade " is based on his life. The only thing I could think of to say was "Who's got a camera?" After photos were made, we shared stories. His of course were far better than anything I could come up with.

One story he told was about a trip to the U.K. to be present for the opening of "The Cross and the Switchblade" in that country.

The actor Eric Estrada played Nicky in the film. When the movie was over, Nicky said he walked out onto the stage.

Young girls all over the building moaned in disappointment because they thought they were about to see Eric Estrada in person. Check out on YouTube: Outreach for Jesus in Somerset, Kentucky — September 17, 2023, to hear his preaching.

The eight hour trip back was a long, slow return ride giving me time to reflect on the events of the last few days.

Robert C. Berry Sr., Hamlet