Rev. Donald Watson was born and raised in New Haven, CT on March 6th, 1956.  He is the oldest of five children.  He graduated from James Hillhouse High School in 1976 and served in the Army Reserves for six years.  Rev. Watson started attending Shiloh Baptist Church (Middletown, CT) in 1982 after he met Shervie in New Haven where she was attending school.  Rev. Watson married Shervie on June 18th, 1983.  He has two daughters Lashanta Sims, Middiree Jones, and one son, Tirrell Watson.  In November of 1999, it was God’s plan that Rev. Watson, and his wife, take in Crystal Parker to live with them and be a part of their family.  He also has four grandchildren and three godchildren.

Rev. Watson received a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Christian Leadership Bible College, Inc. in June 1997.  He then completed one year of Clinical Pastoral Education in April 1998, which he plans to continue in the near future to become a certified Chaplain.  Rev. Watson was a senior operations manager of the Burger King Corporation of which he had been employed for twenty-two years.

Rev. Watson gave his life to the Lord in October of 1987 under the leadership of the late Pastor Rev. L. L. Woods.  He was called into the ministry in January of 1990.  On December 18th, 1990, Rev. Watson gave his first sermon.  He was ordained June 7th, 1998.

Under the leadership and guidance of Pastor W. Vance Cotten at Shiloh, he served as assistant to the pastor and was the focal of the Ministers Cabinet.  Some of the areas in which he ministered included the start of the praise team of which he served on for about six years.  He worked two years at the Eddy Center where he did bible studies and ran short worship services.  Rev. Watson also became active in the prison, convalescent home, and Long Lane (in Middletown, CT) children ministries.  While he managed Burger King in New Haven, Rev. Watson would hold bible study classes after his shift.  He also served as pastor of the Shiloh Extension Church held at the soup kitchen on Main Street in Middletown, for three years.

Rev. Watson was called by God to pastor and start Grace & Mercy Baptist Church in December 2004.  With God’s help the doors opened May 22nd, 2005.

Rev. Donald Watson is a very caring, loving, and hard working man.  He has a very humble spirit and loves the Lord with all his heart.  He is not satisfied with just being in God’s hands but strives to be in God’s face.