Markus Watson

Markus-and-MicahIf you’re reading this page, you’re probably wondering who this guy is that’s leading this church. Well, here’s a little background on me:

I was born in Pasadena in 1972 while my dad was a student at Fuller Seminary. When I was five years old, my family moved to Germany where my dad pastored a German church for three years and I had the benefit of being immersed in the culture and becoming a little German boy for that time. When I was eight we moved back to Los Angeles, and when I was eleven we moved to Grove City, Pennsylvania. That’s where I spent my Jr. High, High School, and College years, graduating in 1994 with a degree in Communication from Slippery Rock University.

While I was in college, I got involved in Campus Crusade for Christ, a Christian ministry that reaches out to college students. Having grown up in a Christian home, I never had a “conversion experience”–rather, I grew into my faith. But it was in college that my faith really became my own. It was during college that fell in love with Jesus! It’s also where I developed my passion for reaching those who have not yet been touched by the life-transforming love of God.

After college, my family and I once again moved back to Los Angeles. One thing you have to know about me is that as I was growing up, my life’s dream was to become a big-time movie director. I wanted to be the next Steven Spielberg! And so, after college I started working in Hollywood on various TV shows.

That lasted about two years. What I discovered was that, in order to be successful in Hollywood, your work has to be your life’s top priority. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately!), I couldn’t do that. I was involved in the College/Career group and in the worship band at Arcadia Presbyterian Church and I wanted to give some of my time to that. Ultimately, I realized that I didn’t have a future in Hollywood because God had given me a passion for ministry.

In 1996, I began my studies at Fuller Seminary. At first, I had no intention of becoming a pastor-I just wanted to get a theological education and perhaps do some sort of media ministry. But during my time at Fuller, it became clear to me that God was calling me to be a pastor. And so, I received my M.Div. from Fuller in 2001, and in 2004 I was ordained as a pastor at Glenkirk Presbyterian Church.

Markus, Robin, Micah, and MacyI met my beautiful wife Robin in 1999 while we were both high school camp counselors at Forest Home Christian Camp and got married in 2001. We have two awesome kids: Micah, a rambunctious 4-year-old who loves Star Wars (like his dad) and Transformers (like his dad!), and Macy, who turns two this year and loves her little purple blanket. I love being Micah’s and Macy’s dad and Robin loves being their mom!

My Vision for Northminster

My dream is for Northminster to be a growing community of committed followers of Jesus who are growing in their faith and who are living out the good news of Jesus in our city.

Mexico-2008I believe that the church is the sent people of God. We gather together to worship God and encourage each other. And just as important–though forgotten in many churches–we are sent by God to be salt and light in a dull and dark world.

We do this by living out the call to be a missionary people in the city of San Diego.  This city is Northminster’s mission field!

I thank God almost every day that I get to be the pastor of this church! It’s filled with people who are passionate about their faith and excited about the new things that God is doing in us and through us!

We’d love for you to join us in this journey that we’re on!

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Markus Watson Statistics

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Favorite Quote:

  • Luke: “I don’t believe it!”
  • Yoda: “That is why you fail.”

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Favorite Outdoor Activity:

  • Surfing

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