Pastor Corey and Rev Melissa Watson

Pastor Corey and Rev Melissa Watson celebrate 14 years of ministry of the Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries Westbank Campus. The celebration will take place Sunday, July 16, 2017 at 1709 Casa Calvo Street New Orleans, LA 70114 with two worship services at 9am and 3pm. The entire community is invited to share in this great occasion.

About Pastor Corey:

Pastor Corey Watson has a heart for God and for young people in New Orleans and across the country. A pastor of one of Watson Memorial mission churches, Pastor Corey has served many years advocating for the youth in this community. He served as a counselor for at-risk children with the agency, Minority Youth Coalition. He facilitated seminars that disseminated information to young people to help them avoid many of the pitfalls that afflict young people: AIDS, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and gang warfare. He has served as a manhood development counselor for the Family Center of Hope, the community outreach arm of Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries. He has implemented a citywide forum for youth utilizing his many years of training. The forum has reached thousands of youth since the the year 2000. Because of his God-given ability to connect with young people, Pastor Corey's voice has been used beyond the local church as conference speaker, workshop presenter, college and university speaker, graduation keynote speaker, community leader, radio and television guest.

Pastor Corey is a huge advocate for his community. He has run for political office with hopes to bring about equity within the district he resides in. In conjunction, he has lobbied at the local, state and federal level and is a former elected commissioner of the nationally recognized Broadmoor Improvement Association. As a result of his efforts to be a "Voice for the voiceless", he has been featured in a nationally published documentary released on PBS called "Getting Back to Abnormal".

Pastor Corey has a passion to set an atmosphere of praise and worship. For many years he shared in the music ministry leadership. Under his energetic and dynamic tenure as musical director, the Watson Memorial choir has been featured at the Essence Music Festival and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. He was ordained a minister in May 2000. He was installed as pastor in May 2003 of the Watson Memorial Westbank location and has been faithfully leading what he calls " a trans-generational church". Pastor Corey's affable personality allows him to connect with very young to the mature. Under his leadership, the congregation has steadily increased in numbers and power. As a community church we aim to meet the needs of the children and families that reside in the direct area. However, because of the

unique "flavor" the atmosphere has, congregants and visitors travel near and far to share in the "move of God" that meets them on this campus. Keeping tradition of my great grandfather and grandfather, healing crusades, prophetic encounters, miracle and deliverance services are a part of the Westbanks culture.

Pastor Corey Watson is a dual degree graduate of Tulane and Xavier Universities where he attained Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical engineering and physics, respectively. In conjunction with ministry, Pastor Corey has worked in the New Orleans community as an Electrical Consulting Engineer Designer. He is the president and owner of the C Watson Group, LLC, a project management, consulting, electrical design and supply firm. Pastor Corey has had many signature moments in his work to include major construction and renovation projects such as Kenner Pontchartrain Convention Center, U.S. Custom House, City Park Amusement Park, Regional Transportation Management Center, Belle Chasse Naval Center, Xavier University, Dilliard University, East Jefferson Hospital, Walgreen's Pharmacy, Dryades YMCA, and his former high school: Mc Donogh #35.

Pastor Corey is married to Melissa Torregano Watson and together they have two beautiful children; Lillian Hannah and Corey Benjamin.