|TOP|Nicky Cruz, U.S. evangelist and former gang member, was granted permission to speak at The Ocean venue in Hackney (July 27-28) by the Metropolitan Police and Hackney Council, after the council had previously banned Cruz from speaking at the venue for his ‘offensive comments’ regarding homosexuality and abortion on his website.

Nicky apologised for the comments in a statement that was published in the Hackney Gazette, stating “I have nothing against gay people. I respect them and would never put them down. This is not for me to decide. I can't change what the Bible says, but the Bible also says to love everyone and I do love all of you. I just want to help...that's all."

Superintendent Leroy Logan of Hackney Borough Police commented, “Nicky Cruz reassured all concerned that he was here to do a specific piece of work to reduce gang activity and help reduce crime in Hackney by building on the excellent work of TRUCE.”

Nicky Cruz, now and evangelist and author of renowned book Run Baby Run, was previously a member of one of New York's most notorious gangs, The Mau Maus, until his conversion to Christianity in the late 1950s.

|AD|Together with U.S.-based TRUCE (To Reach Urban Communities Everywhere), a sister organisation of the Nicky Cruz Outreach, Cruz has visited some of the most crime ridden estates in Hackney to share a message of hope, positivism, and to dissuade young people from going into gangs and getting involved in criminal activity.

So far, over 1000 young people have responded to the message of TRUCE, with over 50 young people indicating that they would like help leave behind the gang lifestyle. Young people have also asked for assistance in areas such as combating drugs and addictions, as well as in obtaining educational training, support and employment.

The TRUCE team recently completed its planned finale with two nights of meeting at The Ocean where they danced, rapped, and shared their personal testimonies.

In addition, Nicky Cruz and TRUCE will perform at KICC (Kingsway International Christian Centre) in Hackney on Saturday, July 29.