Linda J. Ivey Ministries
Minister Carolyn Crawford-Dixon, MSW
Chapter Title: God; No More Please
Signature Scripture:
Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to His purpose.”
Church Membership: Polite Temple Baptist Church, Philadelphia PA
Minister Crawford-Dixon Background: A retired Child Protection Social Worker/Supervisor/Trainer and Adjunct Professor for Lancaster Bible College at the Center for Urban Theological Studies has been serving God at Polite Temple Baptist Church for over thirty-five years and serving in ministry for over five years focusing on strengthening church ministries.
Minister Crawford-Dixon’s Testimony: As a minister, I have a heart for working with the ministries in the church. Assisting the presidents of ministries on church protocol and leadership skills. I especially enjoy helping them to navigate through conflict and learning how to work with different personalities. I also teach Vacation Bible School at the Stenton Family Shelter.
Minister Crawford-Dixon’s Reflections: For a period of about one year, the Lord began to show me and draw me into ministering to the spiritual needs of others, which was an area I didn’t believe I qualified to serve. God began to direct one family after another, one friend after another to seek me out to support and minister to them as they grieved over the loss of their loved ones.
Minister Crawford-Dixon’s Observations: God prepared me for ministry even though, I thought I wasn’t capable. It started with my nephew who I hadn’t heard from in more than ten years. He contacted me when his daughter was devastatingly killed by a hit and run driver. Next, my sister-in-law called me after she suffered the loss of her son who died peacefully in his sleep. Four months later, my girlfriend of over thirty-five years was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer. I then began to beg God “NO MORE PLEASE, I get it”. I then realized, God was letting me see not to run or doubt His Calling me.
Minister Crawford-Dixon’s Challenges: I know I have the gift of teaching, but I'm still not completely comfortable when I'm preaching. Even though I've given eulogies at funerals, I continue to ask God to give me peace and assurance when I preach. I’m working on being stress-free with my preaching style and not being intimidated by other skilled and masterful preachers. I am proud of my skill level as a teacher and understand that in order for preaching to be effective people have to relate to your message. I’m in awe of preachers who can command the listeners’ attention based on the emotion that touches their spirit. They have the gift to make God’s Word come alive. My delivery isn’t as spectacular or as grand and doesn’t have that power that grabs. I also concern myself with other’s opinions of my messages being too long or too boring as compared to more gifted speakers.
Minister Crawford-Dixon’s Most Significant Accomplishments: As a minister, I have a heart for working with the ministries in the church. Assisting the presidents of ministries on church protocol and leadership skills. I especially enjoy helping them to navigate through conflict and learning how to work with different personalities. I also teach Vacation Bible School at the Stenton Family Shelter.
Minister Crawford-Dixon's Vision for the Church: I bless God for my male colleagues in ministry and pray they become even more supportive and encouraging to us women by accepting that God uses women as well as men to spread His Gospel.