Welcome Rev. Dr. Kevin M. Watson, PhD
I am excited to share with you that Bishop Mike Lowry has announced his intention to appoint Rev. Dr. Kevin Watson as Associate Pastor of Discipleship at First Methodist Waco, starting August 1, 2021.
Over the last few years, Kevin has become one of the most important scholars and leaders in the Wesleyan Methodist movement. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Wesleyan & Methodist Studies at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Kevin received his PhD from SMU, his MDiv from Wesley Theological Seminary, and his undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma. Kevin is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church.
Kevin is the well-known author of The Band Meeting, The Class Meeting, and numerous other books and publications. He is a highly sought-after speaker and in 2018 was the conference teacher for the Central Texas Annual Conference. Kevin’s newest book is titled, “Perfect love: Recovering Entire Sanctification – the Lost Power of the Methodist Movement.” You can hear Kevin share about the book on an interview he did here:
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-umumn-fed7a4.
Beyond his credentials, Kevin has such a sincere and earnest walk with Christ. I have witnessed him make sacrificial decisions through the years in order to honor his calling to God. I have seen him do the right thing even when he knew it would be costly. He is the kind of person that makes me want to be better for Christ and the Church. He calls out the very best in me. I am humbled and thrilled that God has called him to come and pastor alongside me and the people of this great church!
Kevin is married to Melissa and they are the proud parents of Bethany, James, and Eden. They will be entering grades 8, 6, and 3 respectively. The Watsons will be moving to Waco this summer and Pastor Kevin will begin his tenure on our staff on August 1, 2021.
Below is a note from Pastor Kevin:
“I am so excited to begin this new season as Associate Pastor of Discipleship at First Methodist Waco! In my teaching, research, and writing over the past thirteen years, I have worked to uncover the heart of what it means to follow Jesus with a distinctively Wesleyan or Methodist accent. But the more time I’ve spent in the history of Methodism, the more convinced I have become that the key pieces of the Methodist revival in John Wesley’s lifetime are of urgent and strategic relevance for our time and place.
My academic work has pointed me back to the central importance of the local church again and again. I believe that people are looking for community and connection, for a place of belonging where they can do life together in the deep places. I believe people are yearning for an encounter with God that brings meaning and significance to their lives and radical transformation. And we want to know how to more fully and more effectively follow Jesus.
I cannot wait to see what God does in Waco, TX through the ministry of First Methodist. Melissa and I are excited to put down roots in Waco and get to know you. See you soon!”
Love,
Pastor Ryan
