JOHN Watson – Pastor Training and Missions Development
BACKGROUND / MINISTRY
After 31 years in the corporate world, John took early retirement in 2013 and followed God’s leading to attend seminary in the Charlotte area with the intent of pursuing international missions; specifically—to train pastors in countries that do not have access to biblical education. After graduating with a Masters in Biblical Studies in 2017, God opened several unique paths that allow John to fulfill this goal while also investing in training resources for missions in the United States.
MINISTER OF MISSIONS
John was ordained by GraceLife Church of Pineville in December of 2017 and transitioned into the volunteer position of Minister of Missions where he is presently fulfilling his desire to train pastors and leaders in other countries, and developing resources to “Produce Leaders Who Reproduce Leaders.” During the past year, in conjunction with GraceLife, John has had the opportunity to train pastors and develop leaders in Bolivia, Ghana, Haiti, and Myanmar, and to also teach classes at the Word of Life Bible School in the Philippines. He is currently working on projects to develop locally sustainable pastor training programs in Haiti and India with the hope of duplicating this model in other countries as God leads.
DIRECTOR OF GHANA MINISTRIES
In July of 2017 John was asked to take an exploratory trip to Ghana with Give Hope Global to investigate the potential of building a Bible School to train pastors to plant churches in the unreached regions of Northern Ghana. Since that time John has assumed the volunteer position of Director of Ghana Ministries for Give Hope Global. By God’s grace Give Hope has established an NGO in Ghana, acquired two separate parcels of land to build a Bible School and other ministry facilities in Wenchi, and worked in partnership with Sowers Academy, a Christian School in Medie, to build a secure compound, dig a well to provide clean water, build sanitary restroom facilities, and provide health screenings for all the students and teachers. John also had the privilege to teach at a pastor’s conference in Wenchi, and led a team this past June to build a playground at Sowers Academy. Give Hope is currently developing plans to expand into medical missions in Ghana and to begin developing the land in Wenchi.
DIRECTOR OF L3 MINISTRIES
John founded L3 Ministries in December of 2017 to provide the means to fund initiatives that “Produce Leaders Who Reproduce Leaders.” While there are other organizations that focus on training pastors in underdeveloped regions, many of these are tied to the implementation of an established curriculum or training program. L3 provides a mechanism for evangelical teachers to employ a variety of methods and tools to train and develop leaders by using the most effective means for the area being served. Because all staff at L3 are volunteer, and administrative and accounting services are also donated to the organization, 100% of contributions given to L3 are applied toward the purpose for which they were given without any reduction for administrative expense.
FAMILY
John and his wife Cheryl have four children. Their oldest son, Matt, serves with L3 Ministries in Portugal, their second son is an Electrical Engineer in Atlanta, Georgia; their oldest daughter is an Occupational Therapist in Columbia, South Carolina; and their youngest daughter currently lives with them at home. John and Cheryl attend GraceLife Church of Pineville, North Carolina, and serve together in ministry to new attenders. In addition, Cheryl teaches at women’s events and retreats, and John is active teaching weekly discipleship classes.
PRAYER REQUESTS / MINISTRY NEEDS 
Since moving to Charlotte in 2013, Cheryl has been afflicted by a disease that has caused her to gradually lose mobility to the point where she is currently restricted to a wheelchair. This has resulted in the need for John to limit his travel in order to provide care for Cheryl. Please pray for:
- God to direct in the pursuit of treatment and that He would provide healing for Cheryl.
- Direction for future ministry plans according to God’s will regarding the ability to travel.
- God to raise up pastors in Haiti and India with a passion to learn and a willingness to invest in ministry and evangelism. Pray for God to establish local leaders who will be committed to producing leaders who reproduce leaders.
- Donation of medical supplies for the hospitals and clinics that Give Hope will minister to in 2019. Several requests have been made to hospitals, medical groups, and labs; please pray that God would open the hearts of the people reviewing these requests and that He would generously provide for the needs.
- Provision for people and resources to build the facilities to open the Grace Bible Institute in Wenchi, Ghana.
- Direction for other potential ministry opportunities in Myanmar and Bolivia – that God would clearly open or close doors in these and other regions around the world.