 |
| Senior Pastor the Rev Meleta Dixon |
The journey, experience travel, and training.
I got this far by God’s grace and favour. I was born in Jamaica in a very rural district by the name of Reach. I am one of 10 children; 6 boys and 4 girls, my parents being Jethro Jebez Deacon & Vinde Deacon. My father was a lay preacher and Sunday school teacher and politician and my mother was a wife, mother and a Godly woman.
My faith journey began with my parents who were Anglican members at the St. Thomas Anglican School in Manchioneal. I did not enjoy going to Sunday school but I had no choice as it was expected for all children to attend. However, it was this foundation that has become the base of my faith today. Discipline did me good and it shaped me for the future. I continued at the St. Thomas church but I had lots of unanswered questions.
I was always been attracted to a more vibrant and joyful style of expressive worship, however, I was obedient to my parents by attending church with them.
I had an encounter with The Lord Jesus just after my 16th birthday. This was an amazing, unplanned, awesome experience. I knew it was a Spiritual encounter. I had no doubt in my mind that this was a visitation from the Lord. This was to me a Damascus Road experience and I began to witness to my friends and tell them a new experience (Acts 9). My mother and I regularly visited the New Testament Assembly in the district of Reach, Portland Jamaica under the leadership of the late Herbert Currie who was the Senior Pastor and Bishop V.C. Peart as island Bishop. There was an Evangelist preaching on this particular Sunday in their missionary service. The preacher for the day was by the name of Evangelist Lynch. I heard Evangelist Lynch preach with such preaching I had never heard before. The text was St. John 15v. 16. which quotes “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruits and that your fruits should remain". I felt the power of God for the first time like electric through my body. The quickening power of God was strong upon me. But I was still resisting the power of God. I felt foolish and embarrassed for I was not able to stop my body shaking and the tears flowing even when I had no need to cry. I managed to get home and later in the evening something exciting happened.
Two years later, I experienced the power of the Holy Ghost taking me to a new level which I felt gave me the boldness and the confidence to continue Evangelising. This was great empowerment for me.
My choice career has always been nursing so my father suggested that I go to England and be trained as a Nurse. I pursued this and I was trained in all areas of nursing which I thoroughly enjoyed and it complemented my ministry in many ways. I arrived in England on the 23rd June 1961 which was a culture shock as there were no churches like the ones I was accustomed to and I was told there was a small group of people who met in a school hall and on my first visit there, there were 4 people- however, the worship was similar to what I was accustomed to. It was a group of Christians from Rugby who were instrumental in the small work in Leicester under the leadership of the late Pastor Walder. There was a van load that visited weekly to give support financially and spiritually on a voluntary basis. There was the love of God in their hearts.
I settled and began to work alongside them and two years later I got married to Melvin Dixon and out of that union produced 5 wonderful children who have stood by the ministry, supported and contributed especially with their musical skills; Shenton, Dulcie, Sonia, Judith and Basil. I also have 9 beautiful grandchildren and the latest addition are two twin boys.
Melvin also supported me in a practical way.
God has been gracious to me, allowing me to juggle family and home commitments, working as a nurse in all areas of nursing and the ministries. Thank God for my late sister-in-law Matilda Deacon who has supported me, assisted me with the children and home duties to pursue my achievements.
The passion and willingness continued to drive me and I wasted no time to continue the work with the view to help build the kingdom of God. This was The New Testament Church of God in Leicester and I continued to work there for 10 years under the leadership of the late Pastor Enos Gordon. The church was purchased in 1964, and in 1965 we moved in. It was exciting to see where God had taken us from such a small beginning. In 1976 I began to serve again in a New Testament Assembly where I was baptised and this extended the ministry in the midlands; Leicester & Derby under the leadership of the late Melvin Lea Powell.
Areas of service in which I served;
1. I served as a Sunday school teacher and Youth leader for many years, which I continue to do
2. I also served as a Youth mentor
3. Teaching and training young people
4. Served as an Evangelist for many years involving church planting and church growth
5. Served as President in the women's ministry
6. Choir Director
7. Chaplaincy Counselling
8. Residential Ministry, visiting and supporting the elderly
9. Prison Ministry, supporting inmates and the Chaplain
10. Assistant Pastor
11. Pastor & Founder of Praise Prayer Deliverance Ministries (PPDM)
In 1999 the Lord led me into a new era of my ministry and so Praise Prayer & Deliverance Ministries was founded and launched on the 24th of April 1999. The ministry continues to grow especially in Spiritual strength and community endeavours and networking.
It is my vision to see churches come together to make a difference and by doing so shall all men know that we are his disciples.
At the moment, we are currently in partnership with other ministries, remain community-focused, still passionate about the lost and dying souls of men. The prayer of my heart is for the churches to work together building the kingdom of God and not individual empires and becoming Lord over God's heritage (1 Peter 5 v. 3).
Our plan for the next five years is:
1. Intensive Evangelism by outreach programmes
2. Bridge the gap between Church and community
3. Make desciples and training for Ministry
4. Encourage spiritual growth
5. Prepare, maintain and making ready the requirements for the return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
**What will help the ministry is to have like-minded people with similar visions to come on board, as working together we achieve more.
God promised to honour His words for the promisesof God are true and faithful.
We crave the prayer of every believer in Christ and support from communities, businesses, organisations and volunteers.
God Bless you all
