Hello friends and family! It's been awhile since I've sent out an update of what's been happening within Consumed Ministries. There's been a lot happening these past months, but I just wanted to send a few highlights below and share with you what others have experienced in these places of ministry that I've gotten to be involved in. Thank you for your encouragements, prayers, and financial support that are making ministry possible. Your partnership makes a difference!
MN Adult & Teen Challenge I had the opportunity to lead worship with a friend of mine for the women in this program who are recovering from drug and alcohol addictions. God was doing awesome things among the women during our time there. Here is what the director sent me the next day: "I so appreciate your ministry last night. In thinking about it, I believe that one of the reasons that the atmosphere was so ripe for them to receive was how you proclaimed the Lordship of JESUS! Your evangelistic worship aligned the hearts and the Spirit in the room!!! Thanks so much!" -Linda, Director of Women's Ministry Prison Fellowship Graduation I had the honor of being invited to attend a graduation ceremony for four women who completed a one-year program through the ministry of Prison Fellowship inside the Shakopee Prison. This is the same ministry we partner with when I go in to lead worship. My friend Katie, who came with me to this ceremony, wrote about her experience while we were there. I continue to be in awe of how God is at work among these women every time I get to go and am thankful for Katie's faithfulness in prayer for this young woman. "This story started almost 6 months ago. I was at the prison for a worship night with Consumed Ministries. I sang some harmonies, but I also talked some about my dad’s suicide, shame, and hopelessness. Afterwards, a very young woman came up to me during prayer time with tears streaming down her face. She was brand new there. She told me why she was in there, how long she would be there, how much shame she was carrying, that she knew she wanted to give up or have something different for her life...and all I could do was pray for her and weep with her. You can’t even touch these women, which is really difficult (even for a non-hugger). There is literally nothing to do except ask God to help. When I left that night, I couldn’t get her face out of my mind. God would remind me of her almost every day. And I’d pray every day—specifically that she would know her worth, forgive herself, and lean on Jesus. A few months ago, I went back. I searched for her, hoping she had kept coming to the Prison Fellowship program after that first night. I was SO relieved to see her in the service. She was smiling and chatting with her friends, I didn’t connect with her because there’s no way she remembered me. But I told the program leader afterwards how God was keeping this gal relentlessly on my heart, and she said “I’m going to let her know.” But today! At a special graduation. This gal walked in the room and sat in the front row...she was receiving a certificate for completing a large portion of the program. This is HUGE, brave, committed work. (Only 1/5 of the inmates that started this class saw it through to the end-it’s a strenuous program.) The best part? As we were shaking their hands at the end, she whispered in my ear “Thanks for the prayers.” She remembered ME! So God. He gave me an opportunity to share my hard story so that she would feel that she could open up and share her hard story. He probably would’ve done the work in her heart anyway. But He let me get wrapped into her story through prayer. He didn’t need me to see her get her certificate. But He let me. He weaves and weaves threads of lives together. I know we won’t see the completed tapestry till the end, but I got to see a portion of it today, and I’m just so thankful." Shakopee Prison Whenever I bring a group into the Shakopee Prison, we almost always have people come who have not yet had this experience. I love when it's someone's first time coming! This last time, I invited my friend Kim, who had not yet visited, to come and share her testimony and to pray with the women during the end of our time there. She writes about her experience below: "What a gift it was to be invited to the Shakopee Women's Correctional Facility by Consumed Ministries! Not knowing exactly what to expect, I was eager for the evening as I sensed the Holy Spirit as I prepared a short testimony to share with the women. I anticipated that when I stepped out in faith, He would meet me and minister to the women through the words He gave me to share. God indeed was faithful! - as He always is! My heart was touched as I worshipped in song along with the women; I even stopped singing for a while to let the words the women were singing so powerfully wash over my heart. God never wastes our choices or pain, and though the women have made choices that have lead to their incarceration, I observed that God is using this time to draw them to Him. Our visit was a testimony to the work He is doing and I thank God for Jackie and the staff whose calling it is to bring the Word and God's truths to the women behind prison walls. I stand in agreement that through Christ, lives can be changed that show of His mercy and grace, that ultimately give God all the glory. May the Shakopee Women's Correctional Facility continue to be a place where Jesus is experienced, worshipped, and believed so as the women are released, they call upon Him in their future times of joy and trial."
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Last month, I along with some others, had the opportunity to lead worship at MN Adult & Teen Challenge in Minneapolis. We joined a couple hundred women who are in the program for a powerful night of worshiping Christ and praying together. I thought the best way to capture our experience there was to share some testimonies from a few of the volunteers who came along: "Being a part of worship at Teen Challenge was an incredible night. It was so much more than music. The prayer and genuine concern for the spiritual growth of everyone there was astounding. There was a common expectation among every group in the room that the sole purpose of the night was to encounter God. As a musician I was amazed at the emotion I could sense from the ladies singing and their desire to encounter God. I also appreciate how the night had been rehearsed and planned but when the room was full the plan became fluid to where we could respond to the presence of God in the room and adapt to follow." -Jason, worship team musician "What an honor it was participate in the women’s chapel time recently! So many of the women worshiped their hearts out while some were more reserved. Nevertheless, the Lord’s presence was there and women were touched! I had the opportunity to pray for women afterwards. It takes a lot of bravery to go forward for prayer, but these women didn’t even flinch. I was amazed how so many poured forward--they had to actually form lines! They were desperate for the Lord! The women I prayed for again and again asked to know and sense more of God. They had glimpses and wanted so much more! One woman was riddled with shame as she thought of how her choices had broken up her family. She knew she was forgiven, but couldn’t receive it. Other women were ready to graduate and terrified of what lied ahead in “the real world.” They were so eager to be prayed for and so honest about their fears and hopes! We are all fellow sojourners trying to find our way through this broken world and broken dreams. Praise be to God for second chances and His transforming power! These women left with a resurgence of hope and encouragement!" -Michelle, prayer team "I was sitting on the side back a few rows and really observed who these ladies were. It seemed to me that these grown adults were just like little kids, antsy, distracted, wound up. But like Jesus said "Let the children come to me" "Come as you are"! That is what they did, their hearts wanted to understand and the prayer time was asking, seeking for that!" -Shelley, prayer team "I wasn't sure what to expect at Teen Challenge. I was really nervous. Jackie had asked me to share part of my story with the women in attendance, and I felt very vulnerable even though I knew God wanted me to trust him. As soon as I started to share, I felt the Holy Spirit soften the entire room. He gave me words to pray, and then continued the same themes through Emma and Pastor Terrance, the theme that we can surrender because of His love. Even though I was to sing another few songs after I shared, I felt the Holy Spirit calling me to get off the stage and pray with women and I trusted that Jackie & Emma would be able to go with the flow (and they totally did). Every woman I prayed for I felt like God had specifically put into my life that night. It wasn't that God wanted to use me in their lives, but that God wanted us to link arms with each other, as sisters, and together humble ourselves & seek after Him." -Katie, worship team & shared her testimony Thank you for your partnership that is sending me out to share the Gospel through music. I couldn't do this without a team of people around me to pray for and support my work with this ministry. Grateful for you all! Our Visit to Lino Lakes Prison It was exciting to return to the Lino Lakes men's prison! Jake was able to come with me on this visit and I wanted to share with you some thoughts he wrote about from our experience there: "I always leave Lino Lakes with many takeaways, but the one thing that I am always reminded about is the passion and freedom these men show in how they worship. To the world, it's so backwards. Here are men that are imprisoned, lacking physical freedom and under constant supervision, but when I see them in that room, they are no different from any other person who is seeking God and looking to bring Him glory. That's the truth about who Jesus is. He's greater than walls and cells. He can give freedom to all that's greater than any physical confinements. It is always a joy and an honor to go with Jackie on these visits and it has really helped me grow in my faith and obedience in the Lord." “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’" -Mat. 25:37-40 MN Adult & Teen Challenge Graduation Every month, this awesome ministry holds a graduation for those who have completed their 13-month, Christ-centered rehab program. I had the joy of going again to July's graduation and was struck by what a wife of one of the graduates shared: "Faith is not a feeling. It's a choice you make to trust God even when the path is uncertain." -Wife of a Teen Challenge graduate Amen! So thankful for the ministry of MN Adult & Teen Challenge and the opportunities I've had to partner with them to see lives transformed through Christ. Mentorship I met Anna, a college student at Normandale, last year. In meeting weekly throughout this past year, we've developed a friendship that has also led to an opportunity for me to mentor her in leading worship. Anna has started to lead worship among her peers on campus, and recently experienced her first time leading worship at a church a couple weeks ago where we sang together. Here are a couple video clips from our time leading together at Grace Church in Inver Grove Heights: It's been so fun to watch Anna grow in her faith and mature in her leadership. I was so proud to be in a supporting role as I was a part of her leading for the first time at this church. I'm excited for her as she continues to use what she's learning to be an influence on her campus, using her gifts & talents to share Christ with others. Pictured: Anna, Jackie, and Emma. What a joy to lead worship with these gals! Preparing for Baby Dixon 37 weeks along! Excited to meet Baby Dixon soon!
Once Baby D arrives, I'll be taking a maternity break for a couple months to adjust to our new normal and enjoy time with our little one. We'll keep you posted with pictures! THANK YOU for all your generous and faithful contributions to my work with Consumed Ministries. I count it an honor and blessing to be sent out to do these kinds of things through your gifts. If you would like to offer an annual contribution or become a monthly financial partner, you can check out the Giving link to the left of this page or feel free to Contact me for more information. Wow, God is so good! Pictured above is me standing in the Teen Challenge chapel with two young ladies who were an important part of our night at MN Adult & Teen Challenge this past Friday. To my left is Emma, who is a recent Teen Challenge graduate and helped me to lead worship. To my right is Emma's mom Tammy, who is a nurse at Teen Challenge and shared her testimony. About 100 women who are in the Teen Challenge program joined us for this once a month prayer and worship night. And God was powerfully at work! Our time there included praise & worship, personal testimonies, and a time of prayer ministry. God had a special surprise in store for us. Have you ever wondered, "Does God really speak"?...
There were three of us who shared personal stories and encouragement with the women from up front. None of us knew what the other would be sharing, but it became very clear that God was giving each of us the same message to speak. Tammy's encouragement to the women was to WAIT-- wait on God for their husbands, for a job, and that God will never be late to answer but will always be right on time. Beverly shared next and her message was to WAIT-- be still before God and wait on Him, to treasure their time alone with Him. I was last to share and by this point I was amazed that Beverly and Tammy had spoken exactly what God was pressing on my heart too. God had given me the same word as I prayed during the week leading up to this night, to WAIT--and I recalled Isaiah 40:31 which says, "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." I encouraged the women to wait on God for new strength, to press on in finishing their program and to run the race with perseverance, to not give up--that God has them there for a reason and to wait on Him to allow for His work in them. Amen! God's message was coming through loud and clear as 3 different people delivered the same word! We then opened up the night for the women to come and receive prayer with some women I invited from our church who were there to pray with them. I was told that normally when the women are invited to come pray with others, that there is a hesitation and not many come forward right away. But God again was clearly stirring in hearts, because as soon as we invited them to come receive prayer, entire groups of women were lining up to be prayed for! And an extra special part of the night was one young lady, who had just started the long-term program (a 13 month program) a couple days before this night, who prayed with Beverly to receive Christ into her life! This gal had related to parts of Beverly's story when she spoke earlier in the night, so what a blessing that she got to be the one to pray for her. A new life and journey with Christ has begun for her! Hallelujah! Feeling blessed that I get to see God work in such powerful ways through times like this. The joy that comes from watching God changes lives right in front of you is indescribable. Thank you for being part of this with me through your prayers and support! Last week, I had an amazing opportunity to attend a graduation at MN Adult & Teen Challenge. At this event, we joined together to celebrate with 11 people who have completed their 13-month long-term recovery program from addiction. Each graduate shared a testimony of their journey to recovery and how Jesus is the one who has brought them true freedom.
I have gotten to go to a couple of these now, and I always leave so inspired! I wanted to share with you some quotes from guests, graduates, and their family members who spoke: "This Christ-led program is one of the best in the country. The answer's always Jesus." -Judge who attended the ceremony "God did not change or fix my life at Teen Challenge. He gave me one I never knew existed." -Graduate "I pray to God every day that he would break me so He can heal me." -Graduate "Now instead of picking out a casket, we're picking out wedding dresses." -Family member of graduate "I've traded in a spirit of grief for a spirit of gratefulness." -Graduate "The family of the person's life I took while drunk driving showed forgiveness to me. It showed me I was worth something." -Graduate "I'm no longer defined by my past. I know the truth and I have a God who is on my side." -Graduate AMEN! Such an honor to hear about the life transformation that Jesus has brought about in the lives of these 11 people. This is the Good News of the Gospel! **These monthly graduations are open to the public and are on the 4th Friday of each month from 1-3pm. The next one will be Friday, May 29. If you'd like to join me, check out the Upcoming Events link for more details! Thank you for praying last week for our time at MN Adult & Teen Challenge. I am so excited to share with you about all that God did! We joined about 100 women who are currently in their drug and alcohol rehab program to lead a night of worship and prayer. Within the first few minutes of leading worship, I started to get choked up as I looked out and saw the hearts of these women expressing their desire to meet with God as they worshiped. There were many times where I pulled away from the mic just to hear their chorus of voices lifted up in praise to God--what a beautiful sound!
One of the people who we had singing with us in the band was a girl who graduated from MN Adult & Teen Challenge just this past year. She also shared her testimony with the women about her past meth addiction and felonies for burglary before coming to be in the program and devoting her life to Christ. She encouraged them to be transparent with their lives while in the program, which was an important part in what God was about to do next... Toward the end of the night, Jamie who is our director of Consumed Ministries, talked about forgiveness. He touched on God's forgiveness of us through Christ and our need to forgive those who trespass against us. After Jamie's talk, I really felt God leading us to move into a time of prayer ministry. So we had Jamie, Gretchen, and Jake (so cool that Jake & I got to minister together on this night!) line up along the side of the room and I encouraged the women to go over and pray with one of them if they were needing to forgive someone who had offended them. Within minutes, there was a line of women waiting to pray! Many things were prayed for: things like forgiving their fathers for leaving, forgiving the fathers of their own children, forgiving the men who raped them. These were vulnerable things for them to share, some had not told very many people about these deep hurts. HEALING. Transparency. While this was taking place, our worship team was praying for freedom and healing over the room as we continued to worship through song. God was powerfully at work! I want to share with you about someone who Jamie got to pray with. He writes, "The highlight of the evening for me was the chance to pray with a young lady that asked God to come into her life for the very first time. She has been at Teen Challenge for about three weeks. When she approached me she said she was a little scared but knows she needs God in her life so she can forgive those she's harbored bitterness towards. It was a sweet moment! The joy on this young believer's face following her prayer was precious. Please pray she continues to trust God throughout this transformation process and that she receives healing and deliverance from her chemical dependency. She now has the Spirit of God residing inside of her to make this happen!" AMEN and HALLELUJAH!! This is why I love getting to share the Gospel through music-- God can meet us in such a unique and special way through times of worship like these! Rejoicing in NEW LIFE for this young woman and healing prayers! Thank you for being such an important part of this night along with us--we were standing on your prayers! MN Adult & Teen Challenge is a Christ-centered program for teens and adults who struggle with life-controlling problems, such as addictions. Every year, they sponsor a 5k Walk for Hope. This was the first year that my parents, Jake, and I participated and we're so glad we did! This year 1,300 people came out for the walk and $72,000 was raised! The MN Adult & Teen Challenge choir singing praise songs and sharing testimonies. So inspiring!
Many of you know of my past involvement with prison ministry. I've enjoyed sharing stories with you about my prison visits and am so thankful to have gotten to share the experience with those of you who have come along with me on these visits. I am excited to announce a new adventure in store, as God is leading me away from prison ministry for a short time (with the exception of continuing to be involved at the women's Waseca Prison) to pursue something new. Let me share what is in the works... At about the same time I found out that I may not be returning to the state prisons for awhile, the Christian organization called, "MN Adult and Teen Challenge" started to come on my radar. This is a Christ-centered program for teens and adults who struggle with life-controlling problems, such as addictions. Many of them have been in and out of jails and prisons. Upon learning this, I instantly felt a prompting to explore the organization further as to how I could get involved.
Jake and I have attended a couple events where some teens involved in this program have shared their faith testimonies. Many of them have come from broken homes and have been in trouble with the law, which is what has brought them to Teen Challenge. We've listened to many of them share about how they've tried several other rehab programs, but how Teen Challenge is the only one that has made a lasting impact and brought real change. This is because it's the only Christ-centered recovery program they've ever been in and it has made all the difference! Each person who has shared their testimony is so alive in their faith now- you can't help but leave inspired after hearing their stories! I have met with the staff and was accepted to become a regular volunteer at Adult & Teen Challenge, specifically to be involved in mentoring as well as working with people in the program who are musicians. I am excited about this opportunity, as it will be such an honor to be part of other people's journey of recovery in this way! Thank you for journeying with me through your prayers and support. They have been such an encouragement to me!! I am excited to keep you posted on the new adventures up ahead! |
Jackie Dixon
I love Jesus. I love my husband & family. I like dark chocolate. And hats. Traveling. Slippers. Hand written notes. And thrifting. These are a few of my favorite things! Categories
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