Each day awakens a purpose in O’Koyea Dickson.
“God has me here for a reason. I want to be that light [so] that people can come to know how great and mighty He is. When I wake up in the morning, I pray that everything that I do revolves around Him so that He can be glorified and get all the praise,” said Dickson, a first baseman and outfielder for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Growing up in Neighborhood Baptist Church, San Francisco, California, Dickson was 12 when he became a believer. His parents, Alice and Richard Dickson, led him to Christ, he said.
After battling injuries while a senior at George Washington High School in San Francisco he became stronger in his faith.
Reaching out to God
“I needed God more. I reached out to Him and said, ‘You know the years of my life. Whatever the case may be I just want to give You the praise and glory because You deserve it for dying on the cross.’”
In college, Dickson led the Sonoma State Seawolves in runs scored, hits, home runs, total bases and slugging percentage. He was first-team All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), CCAA Newcomer of the Year and All-West Region.
As a junior, Dickson was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011 in the 12th round, 374th overall. He has been promoted every season and in 2014 played for the Chattanooga Lookouts (AA) before joining Oklahoma City, the Dodgers’ affiliate (AAA), this year.
His spiritual strength comes through Bible study.
“I know we can do all things through Christ. He strengthens us,” said Dickson, 25. “I like reading the Bible and [continuing] to grow as I study His Word.”
He also grows through prayer, devotionals, keeping a journal and attending baseball chapel.
“God is definitely controlling everything that I do on the field. Without Him, none of this would be possible. I do my best to play hard for Him. Every pitch, every at-bat, I call out to Him and I ask that ‘Your will be done,’” Dickson said.
Former teammate Jeremy Hazelbaker, now with the Springfield Cardinals, roomed with Dickson and saw “how he is on a daily basis.”
“All of us baseball players go through the trials and tribulations of the season. His faith in God (helps him) know that everything is going to be OK,” Hazelbaker said. “That is one thing a lot of people struggle to understand about baseball. It is a game of failure. You have to put everything in God’s hands and it is going to play out how it is supposed to. You have to trust that He has a plan, whether you understand it or not.”
Dickson’s positive thoughts and actions are evident, Hazelbaker said.
“He is a guy that is relying on his faith and that shows in his actions, his words and how he carries himself. … That is how he goes about it every single day and everybody knows it.”
Dickson makes an effort to encourage and “just love on people,” he said.
“That is what Jesus Christ is all about; loving people and giving back and doing the right thing. Whatever I have, I will give it in a heartbeat. I know God is going to supply it. God will make a way out of no way.
“God doesn’t have to give us anything. God doesn’t owe us anything. We are to bow down before Him every day. I want to continue to reach out to Him and to seek His face,” Dickson said.
“I am not afraid to share the gospel. I know that my faith is constantly tested every day and I am not afraid to let everybody know that with God none of this (professional baseball) is even possible.”
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