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Published on: 12/3/2009
Last Visited: 12/10/2009
Watson overcomes brain damage from gunshot wound to become pastor
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The words "from tragedy to triumph" are not just a sermon catch phrase for Dean Watson, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, Union Springs, in Bullock-Centennial Baptist Association.
They are also his life's story and a worthy title of one of his two books.
At 27, as a successful businessman in the insurance company and married with three children, Watson had few complaints and no thoughts of ever going into the ministry.
But in December 1972, Watson was shot accidentally in the back of the head through the left side of his brain with a high-powered rifle while deer hunting.
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"I told my neurologist that God had called me to preach," said Watson, who had been going to school during the nine years he was on disability earning bachelor's and master's degrees.
In spite of criticism he received from doctors, "I stepped out on faith and sold my home," he said.
He moved his family to Florida to begin what became the first of his two doctorate degrees, "and the Lord has really blessed me."
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Watson has written two books: "From Tragedy to Triumph" and "He Sees an Eagle in You."
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God has taken Dean so far, from being immobile to quite mobile."
Cope is encouraged by and emphatic about spreading the word about what God has done for Watson.
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"Dean is not looking for popularity or publicity, but we ought to do all we can to tell Dean's story," Cope said.
"If God can do it for Dean, He can do it for anyone."
It was Watson's vision for Macedonia Baptist to use its 19 acres of land as a community gathering space.
The church built a baseball field with a fence, dugouts and concession stands all through donated money.
"Since January, the Lord has brought about 60 new people from the community to our church," Watson said.
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