David Watson (1933-1984) Evangelist

David Christopher Knight Watson was an English Anglican priest, evangelist, author and a captain in the Royal Artillery.

David was born in Scotton, Yorkshire. He was educated at Bedford School (1940-6), Wellington College (1946-51) and St. John’s College, Cambridge.

He converted to Christianity while at Cambridge. Undoubtedly the most formative influence on my faith during the 5 years at Cambridge was my involvement with the boys’ house parties or ‘Bash camps’.

He became a priest in the Church of England began his ordained ministry among dock workers in the parish of St. Mark’s Gillingham, Kent. His second curacy was at the Round Church in Cambridge. While there he was encouraged by Martyn Lloyd Jones to seek the experience of baptism in the Holy Spirit and he began to speak in tongues.

In 1965 he became curate-in-charge at St. Cuthnert’s Church York. The church was 12 months away from redundancy and congregation of 12 when he took over. 8 years later the congregation had out- grown St. Cuthberts and he moved to St. Michael le Belfry, York. The congregation grew to many 100s in only a few years.

As David’s ministry progressed he became involved in missionary enterprises throughout the world. He became a high profile advocate of reconciliation and ecumenism in Northern Ireland. He was one of the first people to welcome John Wimber, the leader of Vineyard to the UK in 1980.

He became a regular contributor to* Renewal* magazine, a publication of the interdenominational charismatic movement which had started in the 1960s.

He left St. Michael le Belfrey for London in 1982. In his book Fear No Evil
he records his fight with cancer. David was only 50 when he died on 18th February 1984. A major, sad loss, to the Christian community, around the world.

Is it doubtful whether any other English Christian leader has had greater influence on this side of the Atlantic since Second World War
John Gunstone
one of the best-known clergymen in England J. I. Packer

Sources used
wikipedia
Amazon.co.uk