Dear family, friends, & ministry partners:
I am writing with some harder news to share. My family and I would love your prayers as we journey through this. A couple weeks ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a shock and has been an overwhelming process for our family. We have started a Caring Bridge page where you can read more about our journey thus far, through the updates that have been posted. That website is here: www.caringbridge.org/visit/jackiedixon2 The doctors have told me that this will be about a one year process. I'll first be starting with 6 months of chemo in the near future, then surgery, and possibly radiation after. My and my family's goal during this time is to be able to completely focus on my treatment and healing during this process. This has led to the decision for me to take a one year medical leave from my role with Consumed Ministries. I am grateful to our ministry director and our board for their support to focus on my treatment and recovery during this time. Much love to you all and we thank you in advance for your prayers. "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." -Hebrews 6:19 Jackie and family
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My heart is very full tonight. Tonight as my son was trying to sleep, he was very tired but couldn't sleep because of fearful thoughts of a movie character (thank you Disney). He was really scared, so I went into his room. I told him about how when we get fearful, we can choose to fix our eyes on God instead of staying focused on the fear. We talked about how one thing he could do is sing worship songs to God, because fear and God can't exist together at the same time (Perfect love casts out fear- 1 John 4:18). So we laid together in his bed and I started singing worship songs to him. He instantly became calm as we laid with my arm around him singing...and then he fell asleep. After awhile, I got up and he woke up from me moving. But he wasn't scared to see me go, he just said "Goodnight mom" and went back to sleep.
There's power when we worship. God inhabits our praises (Psalm 22:3) and He is so near when we praise Him. Our praises have the power to drive out fear! I want to start by saying THANK YOU to you all for your continued support and investment into God's kingdom through my ministry work with Consumed.
This month has been 10 years since I joined the Consumed Ministries staff team. I've been spending some time reflecting on all the opportunities God has opened doors to these last 10 years and the work He has done. It has included being a part of the Urbana worship team, helping the Celebrate Recovery ministry to grow inside the Waseca Federal Women's Prison, gathering to worship and share the love of Jesus inside an eclectic coffee shop where many New Agers would meet, teaching Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace class out of our home with Jake, leading worship at retreats and conferences for college students, coming alongside families to lead them in prayer and singing worship songs as they've grieved an unexpected loss of a family member, leading worship at various churches, bringing groups with me into the Women's Shakopee Prison to worship with the women inside and pray for them, worshiping together via Zoom during the heart of the pandemic, mentoring young worship leaders, leading worship for MN Adult & Teen Challenge, and most recently getting to connect with women who were formerly incarcerated inside the Women's Shakopee Prison on both a weekly basis (our weekly check-in support group) and monthly (Prison Fellowship alumni breakfasts). It is truly humbling to remember all the ways that God has moved and has touched my heart and others' through these experiences in the last 10 years. I'm just so grateful. Thank you dear family and friends for your continued love, support, and investment into God's kingdom. Your prayers, giving, and support are intertwined in these experiences and stories shared. Much love, Jackie I recently recorded a video update with one of my ministry partners, Sammy Gondola from Pleasant Valley Church. In it, I share about "why music?", how I got involved with Consumed Ministries, my personal faith journey, the first time I led worship in a prison, and reminisce about times in Winona. It is about 13 mins. long. We will be hosting our monthly Prison Fellowship Alumni breakfast this coming Saturday, April 9. I always look forward to these breakfasts and having the opportunity to gather together. A friend of mine, Legend Rutledge, will be joining me again to help lead worship for it. Lastly, I wanted to share a special encouragement from our weekly group that meets with Prison Fellowship alumni on Thursday nights. I wasn't able to attend this particular week- This is from something that one of our other staff who was leading that night, Gretchen Miller, wrote: "Last night on our Thursday check-in one of the women shared a beautiful word of challenge and encouragement with us. She was talking about the difference between staying sober and living in recovery. She said for her staying sober was like white-knuckling it, trying to not partake of a substance. It was based on fear of returning to what once was. But, in contrast for her, living in recovery was choosing each day to look forward and make choices to receive the life of fullness and freedom right in front of her. I asked her if I could use this precious wisdom I believe was poured into her by the Holy Spirit." A pic with a few of the gals in our group from when we met last month. I continue to be encouraged by these women and their wisdom, and count it a joy to be in each other's lives.
Thank you for your partnership! On Sunday Feb. 7, we received a text that a friend of ours from our small group Bible study at church was likely going to be going home to Jesus that day, after her two-year, long fought battle with cancer. I was on the worship team as a guest at another church that morning and was asked to lead this song. I sang this shortly after seeing the text, and it was one of those moments where God completely filled my heart as I sang it on behalf of Sarena's life. I wanted to share it with Sarena's family that day, but hesitated because I didn't know if it would be insensitive to share a song about God's goodness in the midst of such pain. Later that night at just 35 years old, Sarena went home into the loving arms of Jesus. Tonight, Jake and I attended the memorial service for our friend, Sarena. What stood out the most to me from tonight was the theme of God's goodness. I was so blessed to hear that in her final days, Sarena was proclaiming God's goodness. And her husband, who loved her so deeply and in the midst of his and their children's pain, also spoke of how good God is and that He is faithful. And so, I want to share this song that was sung on the day Sarena went to be with Jesus as we proclaimed that God is always good and He is faithful. Even in the midst of her battle, this song reminds us that God’s goodness pursued her every day of her life. “Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 One day during our son's nap time I heard him start to talk in a preaching voice-- “Some of you don’t know about God. So let’s SING about God! …So just remember God. And if you forget, a grown-up can tell you.” It touched my heart as his mom and I of course got a chuckle out of it, but I was also struck by his understanding that if you don’t know about God, you can sing to learn about Him in a song. A song can remind us of a Truth that we may need to be reminded of or that we may need to learn for the first time. And music can serve as a great way to help us remember these truths. This is why I do what I do—to share the Good News of Jesus through music to reach a place in people’s hearts that words alone may not be able to. This picture above is at a monthly breakfast that I got to lead worship at (before it switched to going virtual) for women who have graduated from Prison Fellowship inside the Shakopee womens prison and have now been released. I had the opportunity to chat and reconnect with two women who I met from past times of leading worship inside the prison. It was such a blessing to hear how God has been working in their lives since they’ve been released and seeing them hold strong to their faith! I left so encouraged and inspired!
Year-End Giving: Although 2020 was a difficult year for many financially, our wonderful partners continued to give toward Consumed’s Kingdom work. We believe your investment is noticed by God. Thank you! I would be grateful if you would consider giving a gift (or extra gift) to support my work with Consumed Ministries. All donations are tax-deductible. For online giving, you can donate through this link and select "Music Ministry- Jackie Dixon" as the designated fund: www.consumedministries.com/giving Grateful for my friends and family and the new challenges AND blessings we've experienced in 2020. Merry Christmas to you all! Jackie "Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning." -Lamentations 3:23. I love this verse and it is the one I woke up reciting to myself as I woke up this morning. Wanted to share, as I think it is a great reminder for us all that God's mercies are new for us each morning. As I type this, I am praying you will be encouraged today in a special way by our great and powerful God. Here is a quick update that also includes an invitation to a virtual event this Friday night. MN Adult & Teen Challenge: I was thankfully able to be a part of leading worship for two events here right before social distancing went in place as part of Covid-19. One event was for a monthly gathering consisting of the program's alumni and the other was for a family worship ministry night for all current clients in the program. I always leave so encouraged by seeing the ways that God is at work among these men and women who are recovering from their addictions and desiring to live in the abundant life Jesus offers them! I would like to inform and invite you to be a part of the Gala that MN Adult & Teen Challenge hosts every year. It will be online this year and is FREE to anyone who registers. It will be this Friday, May 1 from 7-7:30pm. You can register and also browse through the silent auction items at this link: www.mntc.org/gala Singing Hope: I also wanted to share a recording I did with a friend of mine, David Vicchiollo, called "Eye of the Storm". We recorded this a few years ago, but I thought it was fitting to share again. I hope it can bring you some encouragement for today. Hebrews 6:19- Jesus is the anchor of our souls. I am excited to share with you a recording I did with a friend of mine, David Vicchiollo. This is a cover song of "Eye Of The Storm". It was so fun to record this inside the Hennepin County Library in downtown Minneapolis! Oby made his first debut in a video, as I was pregnant with him at the time :) I love the lyrics to the chorus, as it speaks to God remaining in control, even in our most trying circumstances. Here is the mp3 recording:
Visit to Shakopee Prison Last month, I was able to return to the Shakopee Prison again to lead worship for the women inside. It was especially meaningful to lead this song, "Chain Breaker" because the person who wrote this actually does prison ministry too! On this visit, I was also reminded of God's power when we pray. Right before we were about to begin, the ministry director pulled us aside and said we were going to have to cancel the night, because they didn't have security available for us to staff the room. So we prayed. And WHILE WE WERE PRAYING together, the head guard came in the room and said he'd find a guard to staff the room so we could continue with the night! Out of the blue! The ministry director was shocked. She's always had to cancel before when this has happened. A great reminder for us all- God's heart is moved when we pray!!
THANK YOU to my friends and family for supporting my work with Consumed Ministries. I am so grateful for each and every one of you! 2016 has been a year filled with joy, change, and opportunities to see God work in many new ways. I’m excited to share with you how God has been so faithful! Mentorship with Anna: Last year, I spoke of a young lady who I have been mentoring, named Anna. This year, Anna experienced her first time leading worship at a church where we co-led together. It was a great experience to see Anna take another step in sharing her talents and passion for leading others into the presence of God. Recently, Anna has taken on a full-time worship leader position at this church! It's been an honor to be a part of seeing this young lady grow and be used by God to share the Gospel with others through music. Prison Ministry: A couple years ago, I was restricted to go into state prisons here in MN due to a conflict of interest in knowing people who have been in these prisons. I had to wait a certain amount of time to go back in and this year, through God's faithfulness, I was finally granted clearance to lead worship inside all state prisons again! Since regaining clearance, I have gotten to go to the men’s prison in Lino Lakes and the women’s prisons in Shakopee and Waseca. I am very excited and look forward to continuing to minister in these places! Newest Member to Team Dixon!: Jake and I welcomed our son Obadiah Edward Dixon (aka “Oby”) to the world in September. He is the joy of our life and makes us laugh every day! Thank you to those of you who have come alongside us in this transition. You may or may not know that I broke and displaced my tailbone during labor. It has been a difficult recovery these past few months, but I am thankful that I am continuing to heal by God’s power and am hopeful I will not need surgery. I have seen God work in incredible ways to bring us through this. God's mercy is real and my relationship with Him has taken on a whole new meaning now when I think about Oby. He cracks us up with his smile and facial expressions and keeps us on our toes with his independent personality ("I'll do it!"). We love him dearly and can't wait to see how God works in his little life.
Year-End Giving: I know many God-honoring ministries are asking for year-end donations. My ministry role with Consumed, like many of our brothers & sisters serving Christ, would benefit from year-end gifts as well. I would be grateful and honored for your consideration in this matter. I know there are so many amazing charities and ministries for you to invest in, so thank you for giving to my work with Consumed if you choose to do so. All gifts are tax-deductible. For online giving, you can donate HERE. May you experience the richness of God's blessings for you in the New Year! 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. |
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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