February 1, 2023 • 68 mins
Can you imagine being falsely accused as a pastor? Then add to that, false charges filed against you where even the FBI gets involved. Markus Watson walks through what he and his family went through at their church, and though months later, exonerated by the Presbytery was voted out of his church. Incredulous. Markus has arisen from that devastating chapter with several new chapters in his life. He is currently the primary podcaster and host for Fuller Seminary “Spiritual Life and Leadership”, the best-selling author of “Beyond Thingification” and the pastor at a new church. Through it all, he is reminded, that no matter what trial he goes through, he knows he is God’s beloved. His story will grip your heart, and change your perspective on so many levels.
Jer. 31:3-“The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3wdso7n
---------------
Topics Shared:
Raised in faith
Aspiring Hollywood actor
A change of plans
Fuller Seminary
Pastoring his first church
Emergency meeting while on sabbatical
Accused of porn
Forensic analysis of his laptop
Turns into a potential criminal investigation
The FBI got involved
How the attorney knew he was innocent
Exonerated by the Presbytery
Voted out of his church
Flourish San Diego
Beyond Thingification
Pastor at Westmorland Community Presbyterian Church
Markus' Quotes:
"The FBI had my laptop."
" 'Lord, I don't deserve your love.' What a terrible message to be telling myself over and over and over again."
"I spent a lot of time in the Psalms, Psalms of lament."
"I had this image of myself having lost everything, sitting in a prison cell."
"We had double our normal attendance that Sunday. Everyone will show up for a scandal."
"The thought of being a pastor again felt like being thrown into a snake pit."
"We can't love someone if we are judging them."
Markus Watson's Website:https://www.markuswatson.com/
------------------------------------------
For more inspiring stories:https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/
Jer. 31:3-“The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3wdso7n
---------------
Topics Shared:
Raised in faith
Aspiring Hollywood actor
A change of plans
Fuller Seminary
Pastoring his first church
Emergency meeting while on sabbatical
Accused of porn
Forensic analysis of his laptop
Turns into a potential criminal investigation
The FBI got involved
How the attorney knew he was innocent
Exonerated by the Presbytery
Voted out of his church
Flourish San Diego
Beyond Thingification
Pastor at Westmorland Community Presbyterian Church
Markus' Quotes:
"The FBI had my laptop."
" 'Lord, I don't deserve your love.' What a terrible message to be telling myself over and over and over again."
"I spent a lot of time in the Psalms, Psalms of lament."
"I had this image of myself having lost everything, sitting in a prison cell."
"We had double our normal attendance that Sunday. Everyone will show up for a scandal."
"The thought of being a pastor again felt like being thrown into a snake pit."
"We can't love someone if we are judging them."
Markus Watson's Website:https://www.markuswatson.com/
------------------------------------------
For more inspiring stories:https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Nikki Glaser Podcast
Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.