Last year marked the 25th anniversary of the death of David Watson, one-time vicar of St. Michael le Belfrey, York, pioneer behind the Renewal movement within Anglicanism during the 1960s-80s, and much-loved international evangelist.
In Matthew 22, the Lord Jesus rounds on the Sadducees, telling them: ‘You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God’. In these words, Jesus encapsulates the basic, two-fold requirement of Christian discipleship: to know and love the Word of God; and to live in the power of God’s Holy Spirit. It could be argued that evangelical leaders through the years have usually stood on one or the other side: they are either remembered for their ability to expound the Scriptures eloquently, or for their advocacy of a Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered Christian life. David Watson is remembered for both. As such, his memory and work should be treasured by so-called ‘conservative’ and ‘charismatic’ evangelicals alike.
Wide influence
Apart from the blessing on his church of St. Michael le Belfrey, York, it is clear that David left a lasting impression on the evangelical church nationwide. It was he who first urged John Wimber to come and minister in the UK and Wimber’s subsequent visits to Britain in 1981 and 1984 had a meteoric impact on, among others, Holy Trinity Brompton and St. Andrew’s Chorleywood . In view of this, it can even be claimed that Watson is indirectly responsible for the celebrated Soul Survivor youth movement, which in turn arose out of St. Andrew’s in the early 90s. Worldwide, Watson’s influence spread further still through the frequent and often gruelling international evangelistic missions he led throughout his relatively short ministry. Working with an indispensable team of musicians, dancers and actors, this humble vicar from York proclaimed God’s gospel all over the world.
