Student Testimony

I began attending King’s Park in early 2017, and in my two years here, I have encountered God’s love. As I transition to my next season, I’d like to share some of my story with you. 

I had the opportunity to attend my very first mission trip through King’s Park during spring break 2019. Students from Duke and UNC went to Providence, Rhode Island to help a church plant, Aletheia Church, develop an ENC campus ministry at Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). For me, there was significant meaning attached to the campus of RISD. After receiving an “okay” from God to study fashion instead of journalism, I started researching fashion design schools in the States as well as overseas. I had a conversation with Caitlin, a campus minister at UNC, who told me about a design school in Providence that was not in my plan, RISD. I only prayed for one day and decided to go on the mission trip to Providence. I also decided to apply to RISD. My design knowledge was extremely limited. Fall semester of 2018 was the first time that I actively began to design at a collegiate level. Of course, God being Yahweh, gave me favor. Me, a girl who literally started doing design in less than 5 months, was accepted into the #1 art and design school in the nation. This is God’s sovereignty, not my own false control.

When we left, I hadn’t decided if I would attend RISD, but I knew that going on the mission trip would help make my decision. On the team, the majority of the groups went to Brown University, while one group went to evangelize at RISD. I was in the group that went to RISD. The air felt thick with depression and anxiety, yet the people yearned for light and love. The people were beautiful. But, I had it in my heart not to attend RISD. I just wanted to get back to UNC. I searched for other colleges, specifically overseas. I wanted to leave America. I wanted something different. Then the deadline approached on whether or not I would attend. I decided to fast to ensure I was being led by God and not by fear. On the first day of the fast, I broke. In that moment, God dispensed in me a deep love for America, which I never had before. He opened my heart to feel His desperation for the lost souls in our country. Not just the souls overseas, but the souls that are crying out right here and right now at RISD. On the last day of the fast, with a burning desire to love the people at RISD, God confirmed that He would provide financially. I truly believe God wants me there, and if He wants me there, He will provide in His divine way.

In May 2019, I graduated from UNC with a degree in Journalism. UNC holds their annual commencement ceremony for all graduates on a Sunday. Most of my family members would be arriving from Florida for my department ceremony that took place on Saturday, so I had the choice to go to the commencement ceremony on Sunday or attend church. I wanted my family to see the diversity of the church. I wanted them to see the love. I wanted them to see that the Holy Spirit is active here not only through the gifts of the Spirit, but also through the fruits of the Spirit, which is evident in the congregation and the servant leaders of the church. The decision was rather easy to make – of course, go to King’s Park! Only God knew my family would be encountering the same love I experienced when I first came to King’s Park. Bomi’s message was on Shattered Dreams and a Redeeming God, which was literally a conversation my sister and I were having the day before. That same day my sister felt a restoration in her dreams that she thought were once lost. My step dad said, “If I lived in North Carolina, this would be my church home.” It shocked me when he said that because he doesn’t usually attend church. So an encouragement to the King’s Park family: God is moving and working through the chairs, through the atmosphere, through the smiles and even the diversity of the congregation.

Now to my future…I said yes to attend RISD. I will be researching sustainable fashion design in their MA sustainability program. In addition, I will be partnering with Aletheia Church to assist them in developing the ENC campus ministry by getting more students involved with the church. God has already shown me the hearts that are waiting to step into this open door. They are literally sitting by the doorstep waiting for an invitation to come into the light and I’m excited that God chose me to deliver the invitation to His children.

Thank you, King’s Park family, for empowering me and sending me to Providence to do the Lord’s work. I ask for prayers in regards to finances that will be provided upon my arrival at RISD. Also, prayer that God will continuously soften the hearts of the students to receive the spirit of truth so they can be set free from any strongholds the enemy thought he had on them.  

God Bless,  

Michelle Dixon