Halfway There

175: Markus Watson and How Suffering Transforms

Listen Later
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 by Henri Nouwen
  • Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging by Brennan Manning

    • Related episodes:

    • Mary DeMuth and the Safest Place for Sexual Abuse Survivors
  • Jim Barnard Finds Hope in Suffering through Community
  • Misty Phillip and the Counterintuitive Ways of God
    • Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

    The post Markus Watson and How Suffering Transforms appeared first on Eric Nevins.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Halfway ThereBy Eric Nevins
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    82 ratings