Meeker, Stories

Local pastor publishes second book for AMG

Pastor J.D. Watson of Meeker with students from the Bible college he has visited in Haiti.

If you are a regular reader of the Herald Times, you’ve probably seen the weekly submissions from “Doc” Watson, pastor of Grace Bible Church. What you might not know about Dr. J.D. Watson is that he is a published author, as well as a minister.
“There is an old saying that a writer must thrive on rejection, and I have thrived quite well,” Watson said. “After 20 years of effort, however, my first book, ‘A Word for the Day,’ was published by a mainstream Christian publisher, AMG Publishers in Chattanooga, Tenn., in 2006. It is a one-year daily devotional based upon Greek word studies.
“About a year after its release, AMG asked me if I would be interested in writing a similar book based upon Hebrew words. That book, ‘A Hebrew Word for the Day,’ was released in December 2010.
“Both of these are available ‘wherever books are sold,’ as the expression goes, but Amazon.com has the best price. Several Bible software companies (e.g., e-Sword, WordSearch, and Olive Tree) also offer it in their products.”
Locally, Avis’ on the Corner will carry copies of Watson’s books, as well.
Watson has served as the pastor of Grace Bible Church in Meeker for almost 25 years. A self-proclaimed “Hoosier” by birth, his ministerial training began in Denver in 1971. He entered full-time ministry in 1974 and married his wife Debbie, “the love of my life,” that same year.
“Upon leaving there (Denver) in the summer of 1973, I never dreamed I would make it back. While I preached in various churches in the state during our four years of traveling, I never imagined I would one day pastor here.”
Watson holds two doctorates in religious education and theology. He has taught in a Christian day school, traveled for four years as part of a music and preaching ministry and pastored two other churches.
Since 1986 he has faithfully provided verse-by-verse expository preaching to his Meeker congregation. In addition, he speaks at Bible conferences and has had the opportunity — ”one the greatest blessings,” he says — to teach at the Haiti Bible Institute in 2009 and 2010. He is scheduled for trips to Haiti in 2011 and 2012, and may be a guest lecturer at the African Christian University in Zambia.
Like most writers, Watson describes his need to write as a “driving passion …  to leave something behind after I’ve ‘shuffled off this mortal coil’ (Hamlet).”
“If some of my scribblings can be a blessing to a few, then I feel that my life has been at least a tiny contribution to the cause of Christ and His church,” Watson said.
In addition to his books and his weekly column, Watson also offers a newsletter entitled Truth On Tough Texts, published monthly by Grace Bible Church since August 2005.
“We now send out several hundred copies by both regular mail and email attachment. If you are interested in receiving this free publication, just call 878-3228 or send an email to  [email protected].”
Watson will celebrate a quarter century of ministry to the people of Meeker in June 2011.
“It has been a wonderful 25 years. It’s a joy to know so many people and be a part of a community. I look forward to many more years of ministry and new acquaintances. Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be glory).”

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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