Focusing outward

After 25 years in ministry, the things that bring the Rev. Ron Watts the most satisfaction at his church, La Croix United Methodist Church, are the things that are outwardly focused and outside the walls of the church. Watts said his church does a great deal to serve the poor and underserved populations locally and internationally. Next weekend they will pack 300,000 meals for an organization called Feed My Starving Children. They pay for the meals and pack them and then ship them to ministries across the world that feed malnourished children. They packed 157,000 meals in December, and their Christmas Eve offering was so great they were able to purchase the additional 300,000 meals to help feed children in two other programs that their church is affiliated with in Africa. Because of the generosity of the people on Christmas Eve and efforts that went forth in packing those meals, a total of 1,502 children will be able to eat every day for a year.

"That's straight out of Matthew 25 -- 'I was hungry and you gave me something to eat' -- and it gives me and our entire congregation great joy," Watts said.

How long have you been involved with a church? I've been involved in church all of my life, starting with Immanuel UMC in St. Louis.

How long have you been a member of the Methodist faith? All of my life.

What drew you to serve the church in a leadership role? At age 16 I felt a call from God on my life to go into pastoral ministry. I accepted that call out of a sense of obedience and mission. At the time, it scared me to death! Now, I can see how God's hand was guiding me and I'm so glad that I said yes.

What education/background/studies did you go through to become a pastor? The United Methodist Church requires a master of divinity degree to be ordained. It's a three-year graduate school program. My degree is from the Oral Roberts University School of Theology.

When did you become the pastor at La Croix United Methodist Church? I've been at La Croix from its beginning. My family and I moved to Cape Girardeau in June of 1988 to help get the church started.

Where are you from and when did you move to Cape Girardeau? I was appointed by then-Bishop W. T. Handy to be the founding pastor of this new church start. We clearly felt that God had opened the doors wide to start a new church in Cape Girardeau. From my time in seminary where I participated in a new church start, I felt a leading from God to do new church development.

Were you involved with La Croix United Methodist Church before becoming the pastor? As founding pastor, I had the unique vantage point of being part of the church before it was a church. After moving here in June 1988, we began inviting people to be part of the core group that would help us launch later that fall. There were 10 of us in all -- eight others besides my wife and me. We met on Sunday evenings that summer studying the Book of Acts, learning what a New Testament church looks like.

What do you think makes this church special? The church is all about people. Before we had buildings, we had people -- and La Croix has some very special people! They make it what it is. The exciting thing is that 50 percent of our members were previously unchurched before joining La Croix. All along, our goal has been to create a church for the unchurched and we've witnessed that happening to a certain degree.

What's your favorite verse and why? I've probably announced in sermons a total of 20 "favorite verses" over the years. It often depends on the season I'm in or what's going on at the time. But, I have to say that a consistently meaningful passage of Scripture for me is I Corinthians 15:58, "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain if it is in the Lord." That tells me that our work for Christ is ultimately meaningful and has purpose. That, I find very encouraging.

What events or occasions does your church have coming up? We have the meal packing event that I've already mentioned, March 13 and 14. We are hosting a couple concerts in March for two of the leading worship leaders today, David Crowder and Phil Wickham.

What's your favorite day of the week and why? I can't really say that I have a favorite day. It always depends on the week and what is happening. I do enjoy Mondays, my day off, especially in the warmer months because I love to garden.

What's your favorite part of being a pastor? Seeing God work to transform people's lives. I never get tired of hearing stories of life transformation and I've been blessed to see many walking miracles in our midst.

What hobbies do you have? I enjoy working in the yard, landscaping and gardening. I love my vegetable garden and my rosebushes. The roses are a challenge to grow in our climate, but I enjoy a good challenge. In the fall and winter months my hobby is attending my two sons' soccer and basketball games -- I don't have time for anything else!

What else do you do besides serve as pastor? I do a fair amount of work at the conference level of the United Methodist Church, which means the state of Missouri for us. I'm very involved with our conference's Healthy Church Initiative, mentoring and teaching other pastors who are trying to bring life and vitality to their churches.

Do you have a prayer, psalm or verse you would like to give our readers for the day? My favorite prayer is from St. Augustine back in the fourth century, "You have made us for Yourself and we find no rest until we rest in You."