Content Warning: The source material contains descriptions of drug abuse and addiction, sexual and physical violence against minors, and animal cruelty. Additionally, the source material endorses dated ideas about sex workers, sexually active women, and persons with substance use disorders. The source text also shows anti-gay bias and is prejudiced against Black and Hispanic people.

In the spring of 1958, David Wilkerson, a pastor in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, reads an article in Life magazine about seven young boys in New York City who are on trial for the murder of Michael Farmer. Although he is disgusted by the details of the case, the plight of the boys moves him. Wilkerson hears a recurring voice in his head telling him to travel to New York and find a way to help the boys, and he decides to follow the calling.

Four years prior, Wilkerson and his wife Gwen arrived in Philipsburg when Wilkerson interviewed for the role of pastor. As they toured the dilapidated parsonage, Gwen saw cockroaches in the kitchen; she later begged Wilkerson to reject the job. That evening, a parishioner interrupted Wilkerson’s sermon to ask him to be their preacher. Wilkerson prayed, asking God to prove His will by having the committee vote for him unanimously and promise to fix the parsonage of their own accord.