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Some sixty years ago, around the age of fourteen I experienced a night visual calling of the Lord to
speak His word to my friends and others, to bring them to a knowledge of His salvation for the world. At that time,
I felt humble and inexperienced in speaking or preaching and ask the Lord to allow me to mainly witness rather than preach
until I finish high school and/or specific training for preaching/ministry.
My Lord empowered me for great witnessing and personal study of the scripture/Bible. So
for about ten years I gave myself to education and work. I majored in music and graduated from Taylor U., Upland,
Ind. with a B. S. in music education and a minor in history/social studies. For three years I directed choirs, and taught
school. Finally in 1961 I turned to the gospel ministry and Seminary training obtaining a M. Div. from
the Southern Baptist Theological Sem.
I might talk about how old I am, what I look like, and what I do for a living. (I'll try to be truthful!)I'm turning
75 this coming August. I feel great and have enjoyed wonderful health all of my life. For this I praise the Lord.
He has kept me from smoking, drinking alcoholic drinks of any kind including wine and fornications, beginning early in life.
I love being married to Barbara. She is so pretty/cute and helpful, but her great energy of earlier years is diminished
somewhat.
My two grandsons are tough to keep up with now, but I love playing with them.
I might also include some information about my personal history: where I grew up, where I went to school, various places
I've lived. If I have one, I'll include a picture of myself engaging in an activity I enjoy, such as a sport or hobby.When
I was born on 8/26/'35, in the coal camp of Dehue, Logan Co. WV my mother was nearly twenty years old and I was her first
of three children, two boys and a girl. Dad, Lambert Watson was employed at the coal mine, working a short work
week since it was a time of economic depression. I was showered with great love by all my close family. Dad,
got work at the DuPont chemicl plant in Belle, WV in '41 and we moved to Belle/Rand area of Kanawha Co. where I attended
public schools, graduating form Dupont Hi in ' 54. Since then, I've done both skilled and unskilled work,
lastly as a vocational consultant until the age of 68. However, since '61 I've been a minister/servant of Jesus
Christ, while being saved/born again at age of 12. I'm so glad that Jesus Christ became my Lord and giver of life
in Him.
I've attended several colleges and graduate in '58 from Taylor U. in Upland, Ind. And also from seminary in
'64. I'm still working to gain greater skills in the Hebrew and Greek languages.
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Taking a break from work
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What a job! My first public paying job was for Charleston Cut Flower
where my teenage buddy Keith Pritt were hired to work the greenhouses at the business site in Dupont City. The pay was
less than fifty cents per hour. I ask for a raise and got laid off. That was a jolt. Next I worked for the O.
J. Morrison Dept. store in Charleston, WV as clerk/sales clerk helping customers purchase shoes. Later I worked Hanover
Shoes just down the street. Shortly, then I found part-time year around work with the A & P supermarket in Charleston,
where I worked most of the departments including meat. I left the A & P in '54 to begin college. During colleges
I worked selling shoes door to door for the Mason Shoe Co. and during the summer of '57 I worked shifts at the
DuPont Plant in Belle where my father worked for over 30 years. After college my work was mainly as teacher/band director,
vocational rehabilitation counselor and consultant. I've had as least twelve different employers and companies
for whom I've worked part or full time.
I give credit to my dad for teaching me to work and to be productive.
Although, in several situations I've not received or accepted pay/salary
for pastor/ministering to churches; I have served about twelve groups/churches as pastor since 1964.
I might describe my job in a little more detail here. I'll write about what I do, what I like best about it, and even some
of the frustrations. (A job with frustrations? Hard to believe, huh?)
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