Literature Evangelism Convert Becomes Literature Evangelist

By Nelson Ernst

Shaka Dickson felt overwhelmed. Hundreds of people flooded around him. Some even reached over his shoulders to snatch what was in his hands. There he stood by an exit to the Promise Keepers Convention in Fresno, California handing out free tracts with his church’s literature distribution team. Half an hour later 4,500 pieces of literature were handed out and Dickson’s passion for Literature Evangelism was renewed.

Ironically, his new found ministry was also the means for his initial conversion several months earlier. And now…the rest of the story.

In the summer of 2006, Dickson was sitting in his living room when he heard a faint knock on his front door. Thinking it was a salesman, he ignored it. Then there was another much louder knock. Finally another resounding knock brought him to his feet.

He stomped to the door ready to deliver a rather harsh rejection. But when he saw who was standing on his doorstep, his demeanor softened. Standing there were two young women, Ashlee Bohlman, age 16 and Sachi Kleiman, age 20.

They were student literature evangelists, part of the California Youth Rush Program which is designed to reach people with the last-day message while helping students with their school costs.

He stared at both of them, wondering how such small women could knock so hard, and listened patiently as they shared what they were doing and decided to give a donation for the Final Events DVD. Before they left, the two evangelists asked, “Would you mind if we had prayer?” As they prayed, Dickson’s heart was touched by the sincerity of the prayer.

“After I heard them pray, I wanted to learn to pray like that! They knew Jesus,” he remembers. Afterwards, Bohlman and Kleiman offered Bible studies. He signed up. Encouraged the two students left, not really knowing what God would do with this divine appointment.

Bible worker Jeff Bentley from the Clovis Church followed up with him and wife Stephanie. “Do you believe Jesus is Lord? Do you believe in the Bible and the Bible only?” he asked. When Bentley replied yes, Dickson saide, “Well, come on in!”

For the next few weeks both Dicksons soaked up truth. When they learned about the Sabbath and other topics, their first reaction was shock. They felt like the truth had been hidden from them all their lives.

Eagerly they shared what they were learning with their family and friends. They discovered that not only did their family and friends not know, but they even dismissed it as being “Old Testament” theology.

The couple was determined to investigate further, so they attended an evangelistic series hosted by the Clovis church in October 2006. At the close of the meetings, they were baptized! “We love it! Absolutely love it!” Stephanie says about their new church family. “I really do believe the Lord found us!” Dickson exclaims.

Now, this busy banker, husband and father of two dedicates time to go door to door with Bible worker Jeff Bentley seeking others for Jesus. “I want the Lord to do great things in me and to use me to reach others,” he says.


 

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