Mickey Starling reporter3@greenepublishing.com
Madison native Jackson Dickinson has always been a big guy. His broad shoulders would lead you to believe he could handle just about anything. But, life was becoming heavier for Dickinson with each passing day, and by 2013, his experiences with the results of his own choices left him with no answers. “I quit drinking alcohol just because I needed to make better decisions,” said Dickinson. “In 2014, I started getting serious with God. Since childhood, I had never really lived in the will of God.”
Yet, God has a way of persistently pursuing His children, often without them knowing it. Dickinson is a talented musician and singer who had numerous gigs in bars for about 15 years. He began playing gospel music occasionally, usually at a men's fellowship known as the “Burnette Barn.” During this time, Dickinson was offered another date at a nearby bar. The closer the date came, the more uncomfortable he was with performing. Ironically, a fellow band member called to express the same growing discomfort with playing these types of gigs. “I haven't been back since,” said Dickinson.
He then returned to church in 2014, and more importantly, a serious relationship with God. Shortly after returning to church, The Lord blessed him with a beautiful, Godly wife, Wendy, who he met in 2015. After a season of playing music at Dowling Park Church of God, he began playing gospel music and singing in the choir at Calvary Baptist Church, in Lake Park, Ga., where he also attended Calvary Bible Institute. He completed his three-year degree in 2020. “That was one of the best things I've ever done,” said Dickinson. “I learned the Word of God, the truth and God's heart. I've also seen that God is everywhere. He's not in a box. He doesn't need flashing lights or the right atmosphere to make His presence felt. I've also greatly benefitted from the ministry of Pastor Robbie Harrington. He preaches the truth of the Word of God effectively.”
Sometime in 2018, Dickinson heard a message from Pastor Timmy Dyke, stressing the importance of taking the gospel outside of the four walls of the church. The message inspired him to research ways that he could accomplish that important task. Dickinson discovered that very few people were giving away Bibles, and he felt that God was leading him to take that up as a mission. “I can't buy them all,” Dickinson recalls telling the Lord. “He told me that He never asked me to buy them, just to be obedient to give them away.” He soon bought his first case of Bibles, leaving half of them at his workplace and half in his truck. “I started picking up hitchhikers, praying with them and giving them Bibles,” said Dickinson. True to his promise, the Lord began providing extra work for him so that he would have the funds to purchase Bibles. It has become an increasingly normal sight to see Dickinson giving away Bibles and providing delicious grilled chicken or barbecue meals along with them. “I love serving God and others any way I can,” said Dickinson.
In his heart, he was aware that there was unfinished business with God that needed tending to. In 2020, his pastor had started losing weight, and he started seeing Facebook posts that pointed to a nutritional program. These two events were not coincidental for Dickinson, who soon heard a question from the Lord while praying one day. “With all that I've helped you with, why haven't you asked Me to help with your weight?” At the time, Dickinson was well over 500 pounds. “I used to pray for God to help me feel good, but I still wanted to eat whatever I wanted,” remembers Dickinson. “Basically, I was asking for change without a heart change.”
When that realization settled over him, Dickinson offered a different prayer. “My food problem and gluttony is between You and me,” said Dickinson. I realize my need for repentance, and I'm laying my “Isaac” [the buffet line] down.” Putting action to his words, he started the nutrition program in November of 2020. Despite a brief setback with COVID, Dickinson has stuck with the plan and has since lost over 260 pounds. He also coaches others who join. “I feel great,” said Dickinson, who acknowledges he might not have been around very long if he hadn't made some changes. “I want to share God with as many people as possible. I'm thankful that God got me to a place where everything is about Him and from Him. He gets all the credit and glory for lifting my burdens, my weight and my addiction. It all points to Him.”