Markus Watson and How Suffering Transforms
Jan 31, 2024
Markus Watson is a pastor and host of Spiritual Life and Leadership podcast. Today, Markus shares the story of how he found a new life with Christ after nearly losing his career. Markus tells us the story of how he gave up his Hollywood dreams, became a pastor, and suffered through false accusations of child porn. The accusations ultimately cost Markus his job but the experience led him to a richer, less performance-based faith. This story reminds us that suffering is often the tool with which the Lord shapes us.
Listen to Markus’ story now!
Stories Markus shared:
- Growing up in Los Angeles as a pastor’s kid
- Being a little judgey as a young Christian
- The stages of making a decision to live for Jesus
- Joining Campus Crusade for Christ and learning leadership skills
- Working in Hollywood and finding his priorities
- Discovering his passion when he started seminary
- How the ordination process helped him to let go of his Hollywood dream
- Moving to Kentucky to become a pastor
- Going home to California
- The call from the executive presbyter that changed his life
- Being accused of porn addiction and the resulting investigation
- The dark night of the soul he experienced during the investigation
- How this experience messed with his self-worth
- Meditating on God’s love for him on a surfboard
- Losing his job to false accusations
- How suffering has changed him and his ministry
Great quotes from Markus:
To embrace preaching meant that I was letting go of something that I’d been holding on to.
I’ve always believed God loves me unconditionally but in that moment, I finally understood.
When I think of discipleship, I think of it in terms of becoming more fully ourselves.
Resources we mentioned:
- Markus’ website
- Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World
by Henri Nouwen
- The Critical Journey, Stages in the Life of Faith, Second Edition
by Janet O. Hagberg & Robert Guelich
- The Emotionally Healthy Leader: How Transforming Your Inner Life Will Deeply Transform Your Church, Team, and the World
by Peter Scazzero
- Surrender to Love: Discovering the Heart of Christian Spirituality (The Spiritual Journey)
by David Benner
- Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World
- Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging
by Brennan Manning
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