Lufkin, Texas-based Pastor Eric Dixon overpowers death as a teenager, graciously accepts his calling to preach the gospel

DALLAS — Although November 29, 2013 undoubtedly had brought about much sadness, yet fond, lasting memories, it was also a day that essentially was a defining moment, of sorts, for Eric Fitzgerald Dixon.

That was the day in which Dixon’s father, Bishop Perry Dixon, Sr. had passed away and had gone on to receive what many believers describe as his heavenly prize.

Armed with an array of wisdom and advice passed along by his father that could surely last a lifetime, it wasn’t long after his father’s transition that Dixon sensed that God had positioned him for another lofty assignment.

Surely, it was a major kingdom-based assignment, one that much like his father had assumed for a number decades, would greatly involve Dixon steadfastly leading God’s people the best way he knew how.

And so it came to pass, on March 16, 2014, a young, vibrant Dixon had officially crossed over into the notable office of that of a Pastor, having effectively been installed as the chief executive officer of Free Spirit Church, Incorporated.

Located at 610 Cain Street, in Lufkin, Texas — a rural town of approximately 35,067 in eastern Texas and roughly 120 miles northeast of Houston — Free Spirit Church is a family-oriented institution about which God has placed Dixon to oversee, this after the 43-year-old preacher and lifelong PK (preacher’s kid) had graciously accepted the mantle passed down his father, who died at the age of 66.

“Always put God first and support family and, at the end of the day, family is all we’ll have,” Dixon, during an exclusive interview this week with Making Headline News, said while explaining his passion for dedicated to the ministry.  “(We are to) respect God’s house, get a good education, and be somebody and take Jesus with us.”

A ministry that has flourished mightily with the unyielding support of his loved ones, Bishop, Oscar Dixon Jr., Elder Jerry Dixon, and Evangelist Misty Duirden, Dixon acknowledged that is it due in large part to the continuous support of his family that has greatly enabled him to carry out his father’s rich pastoral legacy and, most importantly, make a favorable impression on Almighty God.

“There has been amazing support from my family after my father expired and the mantle was passed on to me,” Dixon said.

Widely known as “The Voice” because of his unorthodox style of preaching, Dixon doesn’t shy away from the notion that his ministry would not have become the progressive beacon of light God ordained it to be if not for the loving support of his wife, Sabrina, his God-sent companion with whom he’s approaching three years of marriage.

“She motivates me to strive more as a pastor,” Dixon said of his wife, who also serves as his armor bearer. “We attend seminary together.”

Interesting enough, the couple seemingly engages in not choir rehearsal but, as Dixon hints, preaching rehearsal.

“She lets me practice my preaching and teaching on her first,” Dixon jokingly said, but in all seriousness. “She plays many roles…my armor bearer, my coach, my best friend.”

FOLLOWING FREE SPIRIT CHURCH VIS SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.facebook.com/The-Free-Spirit-Church-Inc-774291655918880/.

Like many of his peers who are labeled preacher’s kids, Dixon was literally brought up in the church, a trend that has greatly set the stage for a time such as now.

For starters, he wasted little time becoming a fixture in ministry, first as a musician at the tender age of 13 before assuming the notable role as a youth minister for eight years.

Having been pastoring for nearly four years, Dixon’s educational accolades include having attended Texas Bible College, where he received his Apostolic Leadership Certificate.

All things considered, Dixon’s rise as his native hometown’s most recognizable pastors came amid a devastating development that nearly sent him to his grave all too soon.

At just 19 years of age, Dixon wound up on the wrong side of street violence when a stray bullet struck him in the neck.

A development that ultimately led to him becoming paralyzed from the neck the down, doctors informed Dixon that he would never walk or talk again.

So severely damaged was his voice box that doctors had to remove it and eventually place him on a ventilator.

Still, while the fact remained that Dixon would never walk again, God had other ideas, particularly with regards to his ability to speak and get his assigned messages across to the masses.

Even if it meant his man servant would spread the gospel from the confines of a wheelchair which, in Dixon’s case, sums up how the unorthodox chapter leading to his ministry has all played out.

“I preach from a wheelchair, paralyzed from neck down,” explained Dixon, whose pastoral success has been aided, courtesy of the valiant contributions of spiritual father, Bishop Clifford Olford, the Founder of Breath of Life United Fellowship of Churches, Inc., and the and Senior Pastor of Lufkin’s New Zion Temple of Deliverance Inc.

Long before he was called to pastor, Dixon  acknowledged it was due in large part to God having spared his life as a teenager that he deemed it a foregone conclusion to devote his life to changing and impacting lives and, most of all, luring others to Christ.

“That increased my faith and allowed me to be a living testimony,” Dixon said of having conquered death at such a young age. “There’s nothing too hard for God. I attend different schools mentoring the kids about life and street life as well as ministry. After all the tubes were taken out, I reminded God how can I preach with no voice.”

Consequently, in a dramatic sequence of events, a God-orchestrated miracle had ensued, thus ultimately has giving way to a life-changing story no one seems to ever get tired of hearing.

“Some time passed,” Dixon explained for probably the umpteenth time. “I went from a light whisper to my normal voice without a voice box. I been singing and preaching since that time.”

All while carrying out his father’s rich, well-publicized legacy in the process.

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Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher of Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and former sports reporter for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson is the former chief adjutant to Elder Andrew Jackson, Sr. of Faith Temple Ministries Church of God In Christ. Based in Dallas, Texas, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division. To reach Johnson, call him at 901-690-6587 or send email to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.