Faith Without a Microphone

Dr. David Fraze: the homecoming king. How cool was that? So since December, we've been wanting to have this
conversation, Sylvester Dixon, and what an incredible young man. If you had Bible class
Sylvester Dixon: with him, do you need to apologize to the class? Yeah, for being a no-no. Yeah, he was the
Dr. David Fraze: curve breaker. The guy knows the word of God, and it was pretty cool to have a kid in class
that I'm like, hold on, wait for the rest of us.
And wasn't talking about myself, of course.
No, all right, that's good.
Tell us about yourself.
Some of the people, they've seen you.
You're kind of quieter a little bit, all right?
Always have a smile on your face.
Tell us about Sylvester.
Sylvester Dixon: My name is Sylvester Dixon.
For those of you who don't know, my major is criminal justice.
I'm from Opelika, Alabama, but I was born in Montgomery.
I'm the young.
Dr. David Fraze: Where's our Alabama people?
Do you notice Alabama people always scream or say something like that?
And did you say Montgomery?
Sylvester Dixon: Yeah, Montgomery.
Dr. David Fraze: I know your parents are down here.
Dreamland ribs?
Oh, my word.
I keep going.
Sylvester Dixon: Yeah.
I'm the youngest son out of five siblings.
I do have a younger sister who's also here at LCU.
I've worked with the United Company for like three and a half years,
and I got offered the assistant manager's position when I turned 18.
So I've been an assistant manager since I was 18.
Dr. David Fraze: As in supermarkets?
Sylvester Dixon: Yeah, at Market Street.
Dr. David Fraze: So can you get me some deals on some meat and stuff like that?
Sylvester Dixon: I don't know.
You got to catch the deals.
Dr. David Fraze: All right, that's fine.
All right, so that's impressive, though.
At 18, you're an assistant manager.
Yes, sir.
Wow.
All right.
Okay.
So I'm going to ask you about this.
Tell us about your ministry.
Because when you told me this, I'm like, this is awesome.
So go ahead.
Sylvester Dixon: So something me and my family, we like to do, we like to bring the church to the people,
which is actually like talking to people, you know, praying for people.
Something I like to do is pass out these gospel pamphlets that have the gospel on it.
And it says, like, Jesus loves you.
And it has the whole gospel message and, like, scriptures that lead to salvation and everything like that.
Mostly, we usually, like, just talk to people.
I'll even hold up a sign on a corner that says, Jesus loves you and things like that.
Dr. David Fraze: And some people here have joined you, right?
Oh, yeah.
If you've joined Sylvester in the Jesus loves you, can you raise your hand?
There we go.
That's family.
They have to.
I know we have some students.
Are they skipping chapel today, Sylvester?
They may be over there.
Yeah, they're hiding.
Okay, so we are looking at a real live street preacher.
Yes, sir.
That is so cool.
We have some video.
Go ahead and watch this.
Street Preacher: I want to live a life where I die.
You gave your son to walk in my life.
Every minute that I'm alive, with every breath, it's for a child.
Dr. David Fraze: All right, so every street preacher I've ever met.
That's awesome.
Every street preacher I've ever met usually has a really cheap microphone,
and he's on a box, literally on a soapbox, yelling at people.
That's not what we witness.
So explain what you do with your street preaching,
because I think it's remarkable.
Sylvester Dixon: So something I like to do, I like to be real inviting
and kind of talk to people in a way that's receiving,
because I feel like if you talk to people and be like,
hey, you're a sinner, you're going to hell, and things like that,
I'm going to be honest, if I was an atheist, I would turn away from God.
That would make me not want to be a believer.
Dr. David Fraze: You say that one more time for the people not listening until right now, okay?
That it's not about just throwing Jesus in their face
and saying they're going to hell, but what did you say?
Sylvester Dixon: It's about presenting it in a way that's receiving and that people would accept.
Dr. David Fraze: And if you were a non-believer, you would turn away from that.
Sylvester Dixon: Sorry, say it again.
Dr. David Fraze: You said if you were a non-believer and saw somebody doing that, that wouldn't be appealing to you at all.
Right, yeah.
That's pretty incredible.
So you raise up signs every once in a while.
I love Jesus or talk to me about Jesus.
Why is that such a good strategy?
And has anybody ever taken you up on the offer to talk to you about Jesus?
Sylvester Dixon: Oh, yeah, plenty of people.
I think that's a good strategy because, you know, I feel there's a lot of people that, you know, that probably don't actually know God, but they've probably heard of God.
And it's like, God, show me a sign.
Show me that you love me.
And it's something I'll do.
I'll hold up a sign that says Jesus loves you.
So that could be confirmation.
Like, imagine someone driving down the street and it's like, God, show me you love me.
Then you see someone with a sign that says Jesus loves you.
And it's like, I think that's a good strategy.
And yeah.
Dr. David Fraze: So we talked behind stage that the one that brings the increase, the one who actually brings about conversion, we don't have any power in that.
The Holy Spirit works.
So it's kind of cool that if somebody's like, show me Jesus, and they see you, has anybody ever said that to you?
It's like, why are you doing here?
Why are you asking me this?
Sylvester Dixon: Oh, yeah.
Usually when they ask that, you know, my response is, you know, I've experienced Jesus.
Like, you know, I feel a lot of people, they believe in Jesus, but there's a difference between believing in Jesus and knowing Jesus.
Like, I remember, like, I used to have fear.
I used to always care about what other people had to say.
I always, you know, walked in this fear because I always thought about what everyone else had to say and not what, you know, God had to say.
And I kind of go into detail and I explain, you know, how God has delivered me from several things.
And even me ministering and talking about God and evangelizing, that is proof of the power of prayer and what God did in my life.
Because, you know, there's a I think everyone kind of goes through this where you kind of think about what everyone else got to say and not what, you know, God wants you to do.
But God, you know, he got me to a point where I don't care about like, you know, what anyone else got to say.
I care about what God says and, you know, pleasing God.
You know, I go into, like, my personal experience that I've experienced with God and, you know, just talk to people like that.
Dr. David Fraze: So when we're sitting here listening to you and we're like, I know, but you're 18 and assistant manager at United.
It seems like every criminal justice major, you can choose whatever you want to do.
Somebody would say, well, it's just because you came from a great family and you have a lot of great confidence.
You're giving glory and honor to God saying it's because of what he's done in your life.
So if somebody were to ask you that, you just have advantages I don't have.
How do you explain it's from God?
Sylvester Dixon: The, I would explain it because it's like proof.
Like, you know, this is something like years ago, I'm going to be honest, I'm like so introverted.
Like years ago, I would not do this.
And, you know, this is like proof of God's power in my life.
And like, and I always tell people, like even talking to people, like that is a change.
Like that is something that God has done for me.
And, you know, it's an answer prayer.
Dr. David Fraze: That's awesome.
So I'm looking at your mom and dad down there.
You saw it.
Yeah, so Holy Spirit does pretty incredible things.
I got to ask this.
You go to the mall.
You're praying with people.
Have you ever been thrown out of a public place?
Sylvester Dixon: Oh, yeah, several times.
Dr. David Fraze: All right, so tell us about they probably – you're so nice.
Did they apologize to you when they're asking you to leave?
Sylvester Dixon: Like the security is always cool.
They'll be like, I really appreciate what you're doing, but, you know, my bosses, they're telling us, you got to go.
And it's like, I'll tell them I'm not soliciting or not, you know.
I'm just talking to people and they'll be like, yeah, you know, but you just can't do that here.
It's like, okay.
Dr. David Fraze: Yeah, so you go outside and do it.
Yeah.
They say you can do it in the parking lot, so, yeah.
Awesome.
So if we see you walking up in the parking lot, we should say hi and come hug you.
Oh, yeah.
Because you probably just got thrown out of the mall.
Is that what you're saying?
No.
All right.
So how many takers do you think you've had?
We saw some of those discussions, not just praying with people, but you hold up a sign.
Give me a number since you've been to Lubbock.
Because, again, some of you, you bring some of your friends, and that's what – some of you all go to movies.
Some of you sleep late.
They go to the mall, and they witness for Jesus.
So I can't get you any chapel credits for that, but that's really awesome.
How many people?
I'm just wondering, how many conversations do you think you've had?
Sylvester Dixon: Honestly, I can't count.
like here in Lubbock like for the past six months since I've been out here because I came from
Abilene but I can't count how many conversations I've had with people. Has it gone up or gone down?
It's been going up. Why do you think it's gone up? I think I believe because it's like you know the
way I introduce myself you know it's not like I'm like hey you need to repent or like you're going
to hell you need to you know change your wicked ways you know I'd be like hey I like that shirt
you know my name is Sylvester how are you you know can I pray for you or do you know Jesus
and you know I even run into believers and I'll even ask them I'll be like do you believe in
Jesus and like yeah and something I'll say I'll be like why and they're like well you know because
I go to church you know my parents told me you know then I go into details like you have to
experience Jesus for yourself the Bible says you taste and see that the Lord is good this is
something that your mom can't do for you this is something your dad can't do for you this is
something your pastor can't do for you, Dr. Fraze can't do for you, but you have to experience the
goodness of God for yourself, and it's like, because I run into so many people that are like,
yeah, I believe, you know, I go to church, you know, I believe because my parents believe. No,
you have to believe because of what God did in your life, so that way, when the devil tries to
tell you God's not real, you know he's real because of what he actually did in your life.
Dr. David Fraze: That's awesome. We can give a round of applause for that, if you want to.
So you're a modern day Jeremiah standing in places that attract attention and you get to tell them sometimes some hard truths.
And I appreciate the way you do it. So here's a question I want to know is why do you do this?
I do this because, you know, I run into a lot of people all the time.
Sylvester Dixon: They'd be like, oh, you don't have to do this. You know, we're saved.
So like if you're already saved, why are you spreading the gospel?
And it's like, to be honest, imagine, God forbid, right, say you have cancer.
And say that you find the cure to cancer, right?
Say you're a doctor, you found the cure to cancer.
As soon as you cure yourself, wouldn't you want to, like, cure other people?
Like, that's just the typical thing to do.
Like, so how much more should we want to spread the gospel?
You know, we have the cure to death.
And it's like experiencing Jesus has really is really the only reason I do this.
It's like because I want to share that experience. I want to share that peace.
I want to share that love that surpasses all understanding to other people, you know.
And to be honest, I'm going to be real. It's like it's kind of selfish keeping the truth to yourself.
Like Jesus is the way he is, the truth is the life.
So imagine keeping all of that to yourself because this is something we know.
This is something that we're sure of. So why would we want to like, you know, keep it?
I think spreading the gospel, it should be like natural, not a chore.
Like some people feel like they're forced to do it.
I think it should, you know, come natural.
That's awesome.
Dr. David Fraze: That's good.
You know, one of the things, and you were raised in church too, that we're taught is invite somebody to church.
I've been teaching that I think inviting people to church is a second move.
Sylvester Dixon: Exactly.
Dr. David Fraze: So you agree with that.
Sylvester Dixon: Why is it a second move?
Because I believe that church is not a building, if that makes sense.
Church is the body of Christ.
Church is right here.
You know, the Bible says when two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst.
So I think being the church and then inviting them, you know, to your congregation and things like that,
I think we should bring the church to people.
That's why I agree.
Dr. David Fraze: And that's the discussion of 1 Peter.
As you live such good life among the pagans, they'll see your good deeds.
your good works. Exactly. Basically asking someone to pray or to be light in darkness. So
thank you for doing that. Okay. Ending invitation. All right. What would you like people to take
from your presence right here? And it may fill your dance card up if you will, but do you really
want to have conversations with people about Jesus? Because you can make an invitation right
Sylvester Dixon: here. Oh yeah. I invite anyone on campus, like talk to me about Jesus. If you don't know Jesus,
If you do know Jesus and want to grow in God, talk to me about Jesus.
I invite anyone, you know.
I'm living proof of God's goodness.
I've experienced God.
And I just encourage you all, talk to people that are in your friend group.
Talk to people that know the word of God.
Just try and build that connection with God.
Also, something I would like to share is don't ever let someone tell you you are too young to serve God.
Don't ever let someone tell you that, you know, you don't understand or things like that.
Because I'm actually sharing a verse right here.
Those of you who have your Bibles, you can go to Jeremiah chapter 1.
Jeremiah chapter 1 verse 4 says,
Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee.
And before thou camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee,
and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Then said I, this is Jeremiah talking,
He said, Ah, Lord God, behold, I cannot speak, for I am a child.
But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child,
for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee, thou shalt speak.
Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. So right there,
Jeremiah was like, oh, I can't speak, you know, I'm a child. You know, God just told him, you know,
to go speak my word, and Jeremiah's response was, I can't speak because I'm a child. And, you know,
God said, don't say that I am a child because I'm going to be with you. And I think that's
something we all need to understand. When God is for you, who can be against you? You don't have
to be scared to spread the gospel. You don't have to be scared to stand out. You know, the Bible
says that we are a peculiar people. I remember when I was younger and I read that, I was like,
what does peculiar mean? Like, peculiar, the word means strange. It means odd. It means set apart.
So, literally, we're not even supposed to fit in. Like, I see so many people trying to fit in,
you know, with the trends and everything, you know, trying to be cool and stuff, but I think
spreading the gospel is cool. I think we need to, you know, be a peculiar people and stand out.
You know, I don't care if your friends don't agree. I don't care if your parents don't agree.
I don't care if your girlfriend doesn't agree. If God puts it on your heart to do it, you should do
Dr. David Fraze: it. We had church up in here right there. That's awesome. It's, um, now I'm going to do what,
what I said I was going to do. This would be fun. Um, we have faculty staff, we have students,
We realize LCU can be a peculiar place.
We have a C in the middle of our name, but it's a very inviting place.
We want to be authentic.
And sometimes we don't do this, but I think it'd be fun.
If you are someone that someone could walk up to and say, tell me more about Jesus,
would you just stand up so other students can know where you are?
Go ahead.
I'll be that person too.
Look at that.
we got coaches we have students we have a president go dude go make a bunch of
just go talk to the president whole line of you that'd be fun that shut the university down for a
day guys we we really do believe this stuff and here's it i mean we have a real live street
preacher right here that does it the right way by sharing the love of jesus so if we could all stand
and as we
as we
I'm going to pray and then you get to dismiss us
is that alright?
Father thank you so much for this day
we thank you for Sylvester and his courage
thank you for his reminder that
church is us it's not a building
we have a message to share we have a cure
to the things in the world
that are dividing us
that are destroying us to death itself
in Jesus thank you so much
for the testimony
of Sylvester. Thank you for the testimony of so many in this audience. Father, would you just let
us have holy conversations? Would you give people the courage to speak to their friends, to speak
to their students, for the students to speak to them and just have a conversation?
Father, we are so thankful that you look past all of the things that we look at, all of our sins
and all of our failures, and you made us new creations because of what Jesus did.
And in that truth, in that wonderful peace that he gives us, we all say together, amen.
Sylvester Dixon: Yall are dismissed.
Dr. David Fraze: There we go.
Thank you.