Chambers, Dixie Greenwood
Dixie Greenwood Chambers (1904-1990) graduated from BTS in 1932 as Valedictorian of her class. Originally from Democrat, North Carolina, she was a few week away from her 28th birthday. Dixie’s story is one of triumph through perseverance.
In 1921 Dixie and a friend attended a Church of God revival service near their home. They originally went to silently make fun of the people for the way they worshiped, but it was in that meeting that Dixie sensed God dealing with her. Soon she found herself among the Church of God people. That same year, at age 17, she started prayer meetings. People began to accept Christ and soon they had a baptismal service.
Dixie’s father was a respected farmer and her family could not understand her newfound faith. They were determined they were not going to have a female preacher in their family, and they thought she had lost her mind. They called for a doctor to examine her, but he could find nothing wrong with Dixie. He gave her a “tonic” but it failed to get the Church of God out of her. In 1922 her family had her picked her up at a church service and had her committed to a mental institution. She was left there for 2 ½ years.
Dixie later told how she would put the Bible through the bars on the windows so she could read the Bible by moonlight. Her faith remained strong. Finally, a friend got her released in 1925. She returned to the Church of God and to preaching, much to her family’s disapproval.
In 1930 she wrote, “I am 24 years of age. I have gone hungry, been run off from home, called crazy and disowned for Jesus’ sake, but I do not regret one step. The way grows brighter day by day. Praise God, I want all there is for me. I cannot stay at home. have slept almost out-of-doors but praise God it won’t be forever. Never one time has God failed to provide. Any of the saints who read this pray for me.”
She eventually enrolled at BTS and became a model student who excelled in her studies. She soon found herself addressing the Church of God General Assembly delegates to share her testimony and preaching and assisting in revivals in various places.
During the summer break from classes in 1931, Dixie went to North Carolina to minister. About it she reported, “God has blessed me and my efforts since leaving school. One month ago last night I opened a revival here at Barnardsville. God wonderfully blessed from the beginning. The first night only a few came out and the Word of God was given, people began to be attracted and it wasn’t long until we had to take out one side of the building and build seats in the yard. Sunday morning we had dinner on the ground and a drive for the roofing on our building. Sunday night Brother Hamilton set the Church of God in order with 22 members. They’re a shouting bunch of saints too with lots of young people. Pray for the church here as I have to be leader until the Assembly. I will see you BTS students at the Assembly.” She returned to BTS after the summer for two more terms. After graduating in 1932 she became the pastor of that church.
She married and had a daughter, but her husband abandoned her in the 1950s. Still, Dixie continued to faithfully minister. She later pastored the Black Mountain, Jonesville, Corneilus, Kenly, and Biltmore churches and evangelized in other states. One of her greatest joys was seeing her family, including her mother, accept her faith experience as their own.
Dixie Greenwood Chambers died in 1990 and is buried in North Carolina.
/ L.F. Morgan
In 1921 Dixie and a friend attended a Church of God revival service near their home. They originally went to silently make fun of the people for the way they worshiped, but it was in that meeting that Dixie sensed God dealing with her. Soon she found herself among the Church of God people. That same year, at age 17, she started prayer meetings. People began to accept Christ and soon they had a baptismal service.
Dixie’s father was a respected farmer and her family could not understand her newfound faith. They were determined they were not going to have a female preacher in their family, and they thought she had lost her mind. They called for a doctor to examine her, but he could find nothing wrong with Dixie. He gave her a “tonic” but it failed to get the Church of God out of her. In 1922 her family had her picked her up at a church service and had her committed to a mental institution. She was left there for 2 ½ years.
Dixie later told how she would put the Bible through the bars on the windows so she could read the Bible by moonlight. Her faith remained strong. Finally, a friend got her released in 1925. She returned to the Church of God and to preaching, much to her family’s disapproval.
In 1930 she wrote, “I am 24 years of age. I have gone hungry, been run off from home, called crazy and disowned for Jesus’ sake, but I do not regret one step. The way grows brighter day by day. Praise God, I want all there is for me. I cannot stay at home. have slept almost out-of-doors but praise God it won’t be forever. Never one time has God failed to provide. Any of the saints who read this pray for me.”
She eventually enrolled at BTS and became a model student who excelled in her studies. She soon found herself addressing the Church of God General Assembly delegates to share her testimony and preaching and assisting in revivals in various places.
During the summer break from classes in 1931, Dixie went to North Carolina to minister. About it she reported, “God has blessed me and my efforts since leaving school. One month ago last night I opened a revival here at Barnardsville. God wonderfully blessed from the beginning. The first night only a few came out and the Word of God was given, people began to be attracted and it wasn’t long until we had to take out one side of the building and build seats in the yard. Sunday morning we had dinner on the ground and a drive for the roofing on our building. Sunday night Brother Hamilton set the Church of God in order with 22 members. They’re a shouting bunch of saints too with lots of young people. Pray for the church here as I have to be leader until the Assembly. I will see you BTS students at the Assembly.” She returned to BTS after the summer for two more terms. After graduating in 1932 she became the pastor of that church.
She married and had a daughter, but her husband abandoned her in the 1950s. Still, Dixie continued to faithfully minister. She later pastored the Black Mountain, Jonesville, Corneilus, Kenly, and Biltmore churches and evangelized in other states. One of her greatest joys was seeing her family, including her mother, accept her faith experience as their own.
Dixie Greenwood Chambers died in 1990 and is buried in North Carolina.
/ L.F. Morgan