'Street reacher' comes to Bootheel towns

"Jesus Saves."

Two simple little words "the Street Preacher" has been sharing for the past 28 years. And he has now brought his mission to the streets of Southeast Missouri, recently visiting Portageville, Kennett, Steele and other areas in the Bootheel.

Duane H. Lyon, known around the world as "the street preacher," has traveled to 58 nations around the globe and 47 states within the U.S. This year he has been in Israel, Tennessee, Arizona, Texas and returned from Iceland just before an outreach in Blytheville, Ark., a little over a month ago.

Last year, Lyon was in Trinidad and Tobago, Guayana, Cuba and Costa Rica.

Lyon was raised in rural Jordan, Ky., a town of 30 people, and as a small boy had a dream to travel the world and preach the gospel.

He wears a large wooden cross given to him by a blind man in Dyersburg, Tenn., 23 years ago. His message consists of two words, "Jesus Saves." Lyon is an ordained minister; and graduated from the Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas. He earned his GED in Arkansas and worked as a pipe welder and ironworker in Arkansas. He also graduated from Vo-Tech school in Arkansas.

"I'm glad to be back where I have roots," Lyon said. "Arkansas is a beautiful state with nice people. Portageville is a nice town with a lot of good people, I know the Lord sent me here. I was invited by a businessman in Steele that also has a business here."

Lyon said the same for the people of Kennett after spending a few of days in the area, posted up on the corner of the square in the Downtown portion of the city, next to the Dunklin County Courthouse, waiving to those passing by, and holding conversations with those who stopped to chat.

Wearing his bright neon clothing, including a yellow shirt with black letters reading: "Jesus Saves," the self-proclaimed Street Preacher is certainly eye-catching in a way that makes people stop and think, which is the whole point of his mission.

"If people come and want to talk, I will listen," Lyon said. "I simply want to give them a smile and a profound message 'Jesus Saves.'

"I came to encourage."

Daily Dunklin Democrat staff writer Deanna Coronado, contributed to this article.